2004 Toyota Corolla: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Toyota Corolla: 9 recalls, 477 owner complaints and up to 31 mpg combined.
Recalls
9 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 4 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Wheels Vehicle recall #03V366000 · 2003 · 381 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with factory aluminum alloy wheels, the lug nut(s) May not secure the wheel properly to the hub assembly due to over-drilling of one or more of the five lug nut holes on the alloy wheel. If the vehicle is driven for an extended period in this condition, the lug nut(s) could potentially loosen.
Why it matters: In the worst case, the stud bolt(s) May fracture, which May result in the separation of the wheel from the hub assembly and lead to a loss of vehicle control.
The fix: Dealers will inspect all four factory aluminum alloy wheels and, if necessary, replace any found to be out of specifications. Owner notification began October 27, 2003. Owners should contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #08V162000 · 2008 · 662,178 vehicles
What's wrong: The driver and front passenger door glass bolts May loosen and come off, causing the door glass to separate from the window regulator. Due to the components becoming loose and possibly rattling, an abnormal noise May be heard from the driver and /or front passenger door when operating the power windows.
Why it matters: The door glass May separate from the window regulator, bind and shatter during operation of the power windows, causing driver distraction and/or injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the driver and front passenger door glass bolts with newly designed bolts free of charge. The recall began on April 16, 2008 to Toyota owners. The recall began on May 21, 2008, for Pontiac owners.
Airbags Vehicle recall #13V029000 · 2013 · 887,709 vehicles
What's wrong: The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal shorting. The electrical short May create an abnormal current flow and increased heat which can damage the circuits. This could result in an inadvertent deployment of the front airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners.
Why it matters: Inadvertent deployment of the airbags or the seat belt pretensioners May increase the risk of injury and the possibility of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Toyota will re-notify their owners who have already had their vehicles repaired with a noise filter, but did not receive a new airbag control module, and general motors will re-notify theirs. Dealers previously installed a supplemental harness containing an electrical filter between the airbag…
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V043000 · 2015 · 1,006,849 vehicles
What's wrong: Due to electrical noise, a component in the air bag control module May fail, causing the front air bags, side air bags, and/or seatbelt pretensioners to deploy inadvertently while the vehicle is being operated.
Why it matters: Inadvertent deployment of the air bags or the seat belt pretensioners increases the risk of an injury or crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began on August 24, 2015. Toyota
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V285000 · 2015 · 1,973,468 vehicles
What's wrong: On June 16, 2015, Toyota expanded the recall to include an additional 1,270,468 vehicles, including model year 2002-2003 and 2005-2007 sequoia, 2005-2006 tundra, 2003-2007 corolla, 2003-2007 corolla matrix, 2003-2007 Pontiac vibe and 2002-2007 Lexus sc vehicles. This is to address a safety defect in the passenger side frontal air bag inflator which May produce excessive internal pressure causing the inflator to…
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-285 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be…
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V286000 · 2015 · 1,069,055 vehicles
What's wrong: S. Virgin islands, guam, saipan and american samoa. On June 16, 2015 Toyota expanded the recall to cover an additional 769,055 vehicles, including certain model year 2002-2004 Lexus sc, Toyota sequoia, 2003-2004 Toyota corolla matrix, Toyota corolla, Pontiac vibe, and Toyota tundra vehicles, as well the vehicles covered by the May 13, 2015 notification in the portions of georgia, alabama, louisiana, mississippi and…
Why it matters: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 2003-2004 corolla and corolla matrix vehicles that are recalled under both 15v-043 and 15v-286 are under a do not drive advisory. Owners of these vehicles are advised not to drive their vehicles until the recall remedy has been completed. Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be…
Airbags Vehicle recall #18V883000 · 2018 · 168,993 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules used as original equipment or replacement equipment. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these inflators May explode due to propellant degradation.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General motors will notify the Pontiac vibe owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front passenger air bag inflator with an alternate inflator, or replace the air bag assembly that includes an alternate inflator, free of…
Airbags Vehicle recall #19V627000 · 2019 · 229,460 vehicles
What's wrong: The air bag May not unfold as designed during inflation under high temperature conditions, possibly resulting in the air bag not inflating properly.
Why it matters: An improperly inflated air bag increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Toyota will notify their owners. Pontiac vibe owners will be notified by gm. Dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly or sub-assembly, free of charge. Toyota
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #19V741000 · 2019 · 928,220 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles had their driver or passenger frontal air bag inflators previously replaced under a prior recall using inflators of the same design. The inflators May explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, temperature and temperature cycling.
Why it matters: An inflator explosion May result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: Toyota will notify owners. Depending on the vehicle model, dealers will replace the front driver inflator, front passenger airbag inflator, the airbag assembly, or the front passenger airbag sub-assembly and inflator. The recall began November 20, 2019.
4 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E023000 · 2006 · 292,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain anzo combination headlamp assemblies sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles. Some combination lamps are not equipped with amber side reflectors which fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Anzo will notify owners and replace the headlamps free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E064000 · 2006 · 4,029 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain tradesonic combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above listed passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Lack of amber side reflectors in the lamps will decrease lighting visibility to other drivers and May possibly result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Tradesonic will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during July 2006.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 56 injuries and 4 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Airbags (236): the most common themes are fails to deploy (29), warning light on (16), deploys unexpectedly / inflator (10).
- Speed control / throttle (60): the most common themes are sudden acceleration (21), stalls / loses power (5).
- Engine & cooling (46): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (7), noise or vibration (4), electrical failure (4).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (27): the most common themes are noise or vibration (9).
The 2004 Toyota Corolla has 477 owner complaints, ranking #8 of 37 Corolla model years for complaints (1.5× the average Corolla year). Complaints peaked in 2015 (152 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 60,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (720 complaints, 9 recalls), 2005 (853 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 | 36 | 31 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 25 | 34 | 28 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Toyota Corolla.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Toyota Corolla have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 9 vehicle recalls for the 2004 Toyota Corolla, plus 4 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2004 Toyota Corolla problems?
Owners have filed 477 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are airbags (236), speed control / throttle (60), engine & cooling (46).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Toyota Corolla get?
EPA ratings run up to 31 mpg combined (1.8 L, Manual 5-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Toyota Corolla repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.