MYRModel Year Report

2004 Toyota Corolla

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2004 Toyota Corolla
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Corolla Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1980: 2 complaints 1980 1981: 3 complaints 1982: 5 complaints 1983: 1 complaints 1984: 6 complaints 1985: 3 complaints 1986: 3 complaints 1986 1987: 14 complaints 1988: 26 complaints 1989: 23 complaints 1990: 27 complaints 1991: 71 complaints 1992: 63 complaints 1992 1993: 130 complaints 1994: 172 complaints 1995: 176 complaints 1996: 129 complaints 1997: 135 complaints 1998: 225 complaints 1998 1999: 155 complaints 2000: 144 complaints 2001: 133 complaints 2002: 117 complaints 2003: 720 complaints 2004: 477 complaints 2004 2005: 853 complaints 2006: 839 complaints 2007: 836 complaints 2008: 313 complaints 2009: 1459 complaints 2010: 1240 complaints 2010 2011: 584 complaints 2012: 445 complaints 2013: 201 complaints 2014: 267 complaints 2015: 218 complaints 2016: 211 complaints 2016 2017: 176 complaints 2018: 133 complaints 2019: 199 complaints 2020: 300 complaints 2021: 182 complaints 2022: 94 complaints 2022 2023: 71 complaints 2024: 59 complaints 2025: 25 complaints 2026: 11 complaints 2026
2004: 477 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19802
19813
19825
19831
19846
19853
19863
198714
198826
198923
199027
199171
199263
1993130
1994172
1995176
1996129
1997135
1998225
1999155
2000144
2001133
2002117
2003720
2004477
2005853
2006839
2007836
2008313
20091459
20101240
2011584
2012445
2013201
2014267
2015218
2016211
2017176
2018133
2019199
2020300
2021182
202294
202371
202459
202525
202611

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

AIR BAGS 47%

47% of complaints: air bags — 222 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I got in an accident with a car who ran a stop sign when I didn't have one. I was going approximately 15-20mph and my entire front end collided with their passenger side. My air bags did not go off at all.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231204

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE BRAKES FAILED WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STRUCK A UTILITY POLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180612

TAKATA AIRBAGS/ WHILE THE CAR WAS IN MOTION SLOWLY TURNING INTO A PARKING SPACE, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE AIRBAGS IMPEDED THE DRIVER FROM CONTROLLING THE CAR AND CAUSED A CRASH INTO A BUILDING. THIS HAPPENED ON A PRIVATE PARKING LOT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180217

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12%

12% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 57 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2004 TOYOTA COROLLA IN MAY THIS YEAR. A FEW DAYS LATER I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREE WAY AND THE NEW CAR ACCELERATED BY ITSELF. I TRIED TO STEP ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN, IT BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20030812

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 4%

4% of complaints: electrical system — 18 distinct reports on file.

AIR BAGS 3%

3% of complaints: air bags — 13 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN VEHICLE WAS HIT IN FRONT END, AND FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES, A BRUISED KNEE AND CUT EYE. THE CONSUMER IS NOW UNDERGOING PHYSICAL THERAPY. *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20031001

SEAT BELTS 3%

3% of complaints: seat belts — 12 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20031027 — wheels

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

Remedy: 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 TOYOT

Campaign 03V366000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2004 — complaint volume: 477
R 20060509 — exterior lighting

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

Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20080205 — EA (closed 20080501)

SIDE FRONT POWER WINDOW SHATTERS

R 20080416 — visibility

TOYOTA IS RECALLING 662,178 MY 2003-2004 COROLLA, COROLLA MATRIX AND PONTIAC VIBE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER WINDOWS. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER DOOR GLASS BOLTS MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, CAUSIN

Remedy: 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,

Campaign 08V162000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

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 CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20130313 — air bags

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Corolla and Corolla Matrix vehicles and 2003-2004 Pontiac Vibe vehicles. The supplemental restraint system (SRS) circuits are susceptible to internal

Remedy: 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

Campaign 13V029000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20140611 — PE (closed 20150302)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

I 20150224 — EA (open)

Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R 20150713 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015 that they are recalling certain model year 2004 Sequoia vehicles manufactured August 18, 2003, to August 19, 2004, and 2003-2004 Tundra vehicles manufactured March...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V285000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150713 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) notified the agency on May 13, 2015, that they are recalling 2005-2007 Lexus SC, Toyota Corolla, Corolla Matrix, Sequoia, and Pontiac Vibe, and 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra vehicles that were originally...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V286000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150824 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla vehicles manufactured December 28, 2001, to May 2, 2004, 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix vehicles manufactured January 6, 2002, to April 29,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 15V043000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190123 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2002-2005 Lexus SC and Toyota Sequoia, 2003-2005 Toyota Corolla and Tundra, and 2003-2007 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota and Lexus owners. General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners.

Campaign 18V883000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191018 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2003-2008 Corolla, 2005-2008 Corolla Matrix, and Pontiac Vibe vehicles equipped with a front passenger air bag assembly replaced under a prior recall.

Remedy: 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 owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Campaign 19V627000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20191120 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2016 4Runner, 2003-2006 Tundra, 2003-2013 Corolla, 2009-2010 Corolla Matrix, 2004-2005 RAV4, 2002-2007 Sequoia, 2011-2013 Sienna, 2008-2012 Scion xB, 2008-2009 Lexus IS-F,...

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 19V741000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20210917 — EA (open)

Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Toyota Corolla — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (222 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (57 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (18 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V366000 (wheels) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V162000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V029000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V285000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V286000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 15V043000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V883000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V627000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 19V741000 (air bags) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2024 ▲ 1992 ▲ 2023

WORST YEARS

■ 2009 ■ 2010 ■ 2005

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Toyota Corolla reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Toyota Corolla is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Toyota Corolla?

The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 47% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Toyota Corolla have?

13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.