9.3
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 1,453 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The catalytic converter on the 2004 Toyota Corolla started emitting a sulfur dioxide odor. The catalytic converter was replaced but the smell persisted. The vent flap in the trunk was also replaced but that didn't help either. The consumer stated a second smell was present which smelled like ash or smoke. The dealer said there was nothing they could do about the second smell and they also recommended the consumer changed gas because there was high sulfur in the gas.
- New Britan, CT, USA
I bought the 2004 Toyota Corolla brand new, after purchasing the car I noticed a horrible "rotten" egg smell in the vehicle. I took it back to the dealer, to be told that I needed to try another gas station, I did and that did not fix the problem. I still continue to smell it and its bad. I was told that means the "exhaust" system is working properly....I think that is a poor reason for this horrible smell. The car also has a very loud rattling noise that comes from the front drivers side wheel. I've taken it to the dealer several times and nothing has been done to fix the problem. The car also pulls to the left..even after several alignments. I'm really disappointed because this was my first new car purchase. I purchased a Toyota because of it's history of having very reliable cars. I'm sorry that I got this car.
- Alexandria, VA, USA
Car has smell like rotten eggs, sulfer type, had car repaired and still smells.
- W Harrison, NY, USA
2004 Corolla ce has horrible rotten egg smell car has only 550 miles on it. Dealer say to switch gas brands. I did and it is still overwhelming outside of the car.
- Rockaway, NJ, USA
Foul egg/sulfur smell while car is operating. Smell is noticeable in the interior and exterior of car. At times, this smell is so strong that I begin to feel ill. Returned to dealer. Dealer instructed me to try different gasolines. This did not work. Returned to dealer. Repeatedly spoke with service manager, etc. The suggestion to change gasoline was all the dealer could offer. This has not worked and I'm concerned that the sulfur smell may be causing a health problem.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
2004 Toyota Corolla, close to 3,500 miles. Purchased in July '03. When I run the heat inside the car, a very strong sulfur odor is emitted through the vents. Was told it was the gas, not the car, by both dealer and Toyota customer service. I do not get this smell in any other car I ride in, including the '96 Corolla I traded in. This release of sulfur oxide into the car interior is a serious health concern that Toyota seems to refuse to take an interest in.
- Barboursville, VA, USA
2004 Toyota Corolla, close to 3,500 miles. Purchased in July '03. When I run the heat inside the car, a very strong sulfur odor is emitted through the vents. Was told it was the gas, not the car, by both dealer and Toyota customer service. I do not get this smell in any other car I ride in, including the '96 Corolla I traded in. This release of sulfur oxide into the car interior is a serious health concern that Toyota seems to refuse to take an interest in.
- Barboursville, VA, USA
Strong sulfur smell that sometimes comes inside the car. I have tried different gas and so far no luck, the smell persists.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
2004 Corolla bought 32 days ago with 92 miles. Noticed sulfur smell when exiting vehicle only after first refill -- not noticed with fuel that came with it. Dealer said to try different gas and to make sure that my entire tank is empty before filling. Basically recommending that I wait. (they did say to fill the tank -- not just put in a couple gallons) after the second refill (and about 16 days since purchase) I noticed that the smell wasn't as bad, but a friend reminded me that it was particularly windy. I later noticed the smell when the wind calmed down. No luck with the third refill either. All of these are at different stations. Called the dealer again and they recommended that I now try the higher-octane fuel. Needless to say, the days are slowly passing. After talking with sales dept and the service dept about what can be done, they agreed to take it for a drive as soon as they learned that I smelled this from inside the car when driving. I sense that it is a more-serious matter if it gets inside your car. They gave me a loaner for the day -- another Corolla le, which also smelled of sulfur. The service manager at the dealership said that he didn't smell anything at all when he drove my car, but he said that my "air-freshener overwhelmed" him. This leads me to believe that he is either lying to me (you can't mistake the smell of sulfur gas) or he has become desensitized to its odor. I have read that sulfur can weaken your ability to smell sulfur for some time. I don't know if the ability to smell sulfur comes back quickly or goes away for a long time. He explained to me that they couldn't do anything. He said it was (you guessed it) the gas. Well, now my "grace period" has expired and I would lose at least $1,300 if I took it back and got the pay-off. If they didn't make me wait, I could have had 100% of my money back or a new Corolla that doesn't smell. (incident date should be 2004 not 2003)
- Sharon, PA, USA
- Lansdowne, PA, USA