2004 Toyota Corolla CE from North America - Comments

The car has a rotten egg smell (sulfur) when the engine is cold. I've read it's a rampant problem for this model.

Other than that not much has gone wrong.

This is a good car. It's very fuel efficient. I average about 8L for every 100km or about 35mpg in mixed driving.

Interior is very ergonomic except for steering wheel being to far.

The engine has good power for everyday driving, but is a bit noisy, even when idle. Don't believe what the magazine say.

Speeds over 120k/h makes it a bit twitchy.

The Rotten Egg Smell you are experiencing is almost certain to be a Failing Catalytic Converter. No problem for you as it is still under warranty. I would attend to this before your car fails completely.

My '04 Corolla also has a sulphur smell. I've had the catalytic converter and whole exhaust system replaced, and am now using low-sulphur gas, but the problem is still there. Not just when the engine is cold - it happens intermittently. The sales and service people all admitted it was a common problem with several Toyota models including the Camry, 4-Runner, Sienna. It is rare in the Echo, but does sometimes happen with those - so the only way out is to forget about Toyota. This is incredible as they have been considered #1 by so many car experts.

I was very disillusioned with Toyota after having this happen. The car is supposed to be the best in its class. I am probably going to sell it at a loss because we cannot live with this stench and pollution - but the whole issue is what will go wrong with the next car I choose?

I've learned my lesson - don't believe hype. There are no perfect car companies. Toyota may build with more quality and care than other companies; the car may last longer than a Korean car with fewer repairs, but at the cost of a mysterious problem that even the company cannot figure out.

They will not take it back because it is not considered a lemon since so many of their cars do it and people are just tolerating it. They will buy it back at the depreciated price (25% in just four months). This is so disheartening to have the first new car I bought since 1984 prove to be so stressful. It makes me see why some people lease. It makes me think about selling the car, investing what's left, and going back to taking the bus.

I've noticed this smell once or twice on my corolla, but it was so short (like turning a corner and then the smell is gone) I'm not concerned about it, and furthermore, it does not happen consistently . This is the first I've heard about the issue (I thought it was me!), and although I'm not a mechanic, I've had cars with cat converter problems, and even neglecting them for months on end with the "check engine" light on, the vehicle is fine, and continues to be fine to this day. I would doubt that this would cause the vehicle to completely fail, I think you would see bulletins from Toyota to it's owners on this one, if many different lines of Toyota cars started failing for bad cat converters.

My recommendation would be to keep the car for a couple of years and then sell it, the warranty would cover you for a couple of years regardless, and then in 2 years you can easily sell the vehicle for a profit. I've done the research, and 2 year old Corollas are still going for a fortune - even with not so many options. As well to mention in Canada the Emissions warranty is 96 months/130,000kms which covers the cat converters and oxygen sensors - as well a 5yr/100,000kms warranty on the engine if it did "self destruct".

Toyota is a good car, and the hype is deserving for many reasons, even if resale value alone, and that is good enough for me. Many North American cars lose $10,000+ in the first year alone, and you won't see that in Toyota, but you will see it in Korean Automakers, I believe that those cars are a little over-hyped. They are cheaper, but in the end will cost more for sure (repairs), and if you have to resell the car for any reason, your more than likely not going to get what you owe on the vehicle.

Thanks for the thoughtful comments. I have been trying to adapt to these things because I don't want to lose several thousand dollars (I already lost $7,000 when I traded in my used Echo). When the sulphur smell starts, I put it on recirc and that keeps it from coming in. I have to use fresh air sometimes though, obviously, when the car is steamed up. I bought this car mostly for its ice cold air conditioning because of the killer summer we had and they are getting worse every year. So when I got in the Corolla I fell in love with it. It was ice cold, it was comfortable, it was beautiful, there was lots of room in the back seat for my relatives. And it had many rave reviews. I am trying to love this car for its good points.

The dealer put in a whole new exhaust system and catalytic converter, and Esso started selling low-sulphur gas here, but I am still having the sulphur smell - so there is no simple answer.

Get air freshioners for your car... use Febreze!

Could that sulfur, rotten egg smell have anything to do with the battery? Spilling over while you make a sharp turn? On the other hand, I once had a car with the battery under the back seat-making it very difficult to remember to check. As a result one time that sulfur smell was very strong, I checked the battery and found that the battery was low on water.

All the Batteries are Mantenance Free and are sealed units the Problem is not with the Batteries, the problem lies in the design of the exhaust system and the engine configuration it self, your car will not self destruct, it is not a catalytic converter problem, and I have never heard of an engine dieing because of a bad Cat. It was Common on Toyota Corolla's and a few other Toyota Cars in 2002 Till early 2004. Problem has been fixed and despite the stench it is not a pollution issue truth be known the emissions that are emitted from those cars are actually lower thaqn most on the road, it is the type of emissions that are causeing the stentch. If you car has it I would suggest trying as mentioned low sulfur gases and have had people comment that a higher octane fuel also fixed the problem, try burning a minimum of 89 Octane as opposed to the 87, you will find several Stations actually have an 89 Octane as there regular fuel at no additional cost.

I'm not sure, but I think I read something about sulfur smell problem having something to do with a defective oxygen sensor. I know that they have a recall for that on the 2004s. Worth looking into.

If you keep the AC on recycle you will not smell the rotten egg smell. I keep mine on recycle all the time because of that. I love my 2004 corolla S!!