2004 Toyota Corolla Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 477 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 24,472miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Toyota Corolla, 3% of the 477 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 24,472 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On feburary 12, 2010, my 2005 Toyota Corolla was parked and running, while I brought groceries into my home. When I went back out, I discovered that the vehicle had rolled backwards into a ditch causing damage to the under carriage of the vehicle and muffler. This is the first time that this incident occurred and nothing has been done to correct problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10308673, filed 2010-02, 17,356 miles“March 24, 2010, I started my car from dewdney elementary school, mission, bc parking lot heading home in abbotsford, bc. About 15 minutes on highway 11 heading abbotsford direction, I found that I could not brake the car to stop. Luckily, I managed to stop. Then I saw smoke came out from the back wheels, and the emergency brake lever was high up, which it had not been released before I started to drive. I was scared and called the local Toyota dealer, sunrise Toyota in abbotsford to tow the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10322697, filed 2010-03, 50,162 miles“On 4 occasions, our 2004 Toyota Corolla engine has raced while the car was being backed up and my foot was on the brake pedal. The most serious incident was in a parking lot with many people milling around to watch a fireworks show. The harder I pushed on the brake pedal, the faster the engine ran. Fortunately, the brakes stopped the car before I ran over anyone. Apparently, the brake pedal went down so far that my foot could hit the gas pedal at the same time. Also, the brake and gas pedals are very close together.”
NHTSA complaint #10347442, filed 2010-08, 20,000 miles“Hand brake doesn't hold well. Also, when the hand brake is on and you or your passenger gets out of the car it makes a noise like you weight 5000 pounds a very loud squeak. It's not exactly a squeak, it sounds like they forgot to grease the suspension its that kind of noise. Or if you put a little weight on the fender when the hand brake is on it does the same thing. Not a lot of weight just your hand pushing down gently..this should be an embarrassment for Toyota. The dealership says there is nothing wrong with the brakes. I beg to differ! I probably will never buy a Toyota again.”
NHTSA complaint #10111838, filed 2005-02, 500 miles“Engine will surge when at a stop and unless brake is fully depressed to the floor, vehicle may move forward. This surge is not consistent, occurring between 10-20% of the time and more likely to occur within the first 10 seconds of stopping at a light or to park vehicle after being on highways at higher rates of speed.”
NHTSA complaint #10340455, filed 2010-06, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10210375Mar 9, 2022TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in…
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10131928Feb 5, 2014A key part to maintain the proper function and safe operation of the vehicle's braking system is to perform a visual inspection when installing brake pads, calipers, and discs…
- 10132085Oct 1, 2013Some 2003 ? 2008 model year Corolla and Matrix vehicles installed with TCMC (Toyota Complete Maintenance Care) front brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various…
- 10075934Oct 1, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10061626Oct 1, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10131984Sep 9, 2013A new Special Service Tool (SST 09709-00002) has been introduced to aid in the inspection procedure for certain vehicles equipped with a floor pedal-type parking brake system…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 17% |
| 2025 | 8 | 26% |
| 2024 | 10 | 15% |
| 2023 | 7 | 9% |
| 2022 | 16 | 16% |
| 2021 | 9 | 5% |
| 2020 | 24 | 8% |
| 2019 | 16 | 8% |
| 2018 | 11 | 8% |
| 2017 | 26 | 15% |
| 2016 | 30 | 14% |
| 2015 | 18 | 8% |
| 2014 | 17 | 6% |
| 2013 | 24 | 12% |
| 2012 | 11 | 2% |
| 2011 | 21 | 4% |
| 2010 | 166 | 13% |
| 2009 | 120 | 8% |
| 2008 | 26 | 8% |
| 2007 | 45 | 5% |
| 2006 | 35 | 4% |
| 2005 | 37 | 4% |
| 2004 | 14 | 3% |
| 2003 | 32 | 4% |
| 2002 | 8 | 7% |
| 2001 | 12 | 9% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1999 | 7 | 5% |
| 1998 | 15 | 7% |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% |
| 1996 | 13 | 10% |
| 1995 | 21 | 12% |
| 1994 | 2 | 1% |
| 1993 | 2 | 2% |
| 1992 | 6 | 10% |
| 1991 | 2 | 3% |
| 1989 | 3 | 13% |
| 1988 | 1 | 4% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2004 Toyota Corolla
236 complaintsVehicle speed control
60 complaintsEngine cooling
46 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
29 complaintsElectrical system
24 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
16 complaintsSeat belts
14 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology