2003 vs 2004 Toyota Corolla

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2003

  • Manual gearbox and differential, 2003 One source so far

    What to check: Listen for grinding or whine from the gearbox and differential on a test drive, and ask whether the transmission or clutch has been replaced.

    On CarComplaints.com's page, an unofficial source, 12 of the 17 reports ended with the transmission and clutch replaced, seven describe grinding noises, and five name the differential.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

2004

Nothing that 2003 lacks.

Both years

  • Intake manifold gasket All years One source so far

    What to check: Look for a check-engine light, and listen for a hiss of a vacuum leak at the intake.

    Two owners in the same BobIsTheOilGuy thread, an unofficial source, report a leaking intake manifold gasket.

    Owners' reports (unofficial)

Rare catches

2003

Nothing that 2004 lacks.

2004

Nothing that 2003 lacks.

Both years

  • Rare TRD supercharger Package

    A TRD kit, not a factory option A published reference

Recalls

2003

  • 02V074001 2003

    The bolts holding the rear brake and hub to the axle carrier may not have been tightened enough. NHTSA

2004

  • 03V366000 2004

    A lug nut hole may have been drilled too large, so the nut can loosen, and in the worst case the studs can break and the wheel come off. NHTSA

Both years

  • 08V162000 2003–2004

    The front door glass bolts may loosen and come off, letting the glass drop away from the window regulator. NHTSA

  • 13V029000 2003–2004

    The airbag circuits can short inside and overheat, which could set off the front airbags or seat belt pretensioners. NHTSA

  • 15V043000 2003–2004

    Electrical noise can make a part of the airbag computer fail, setting off the airbags or seat belt pretensioners while driving. NHTSA

  • 15V286000 2003–2007

    The passenger front airbag inflator may rupture when the airbag deploys, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA

  • 15V285000 2003–2007

    The passenger front airbag inflator may build up too much pressure and rupture when the airbag deploys. NHTSA

  • 18V883000 2003–2005

    The passenger front airbag inflator may explode after its propellant degrades, throwing metal fragments. NHTSA

  • 19V627000 2003–2008

    In high heat the passenger front airbag may not unfold as designed, and may not inflate properly. NHTSA

  • 19V741000 2003–2013

    Inflators fitted under an earlier recall were of the same design, and can still explode after long exposure to heat and humidity. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2003, up to and including 2004.

  1. 2004Carries over unchanged. Edmunds

What it came with

2003

Nothing that 2004 lacks.

2004

Nothing that 2003 lacks.

Both years

Engines
1.8L four-cylinder Toyota, Edmunds, a published reference
Transmissions
5-speed manual Edmunds, a published reference, 4-speed automatic Edmunds
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive A published reference
Body styles
Sedan A published reference
Trims
CE A published reference, LE Edmunds, a published reference, S Toyota, a published reference
Packages
TRD supercharger A published reference

Colors

2003

  • Sandrift Metallic 3M5, 2003 An owners' registry (unofficial)

2004

  • Desert Sand Mica 4Q2, 2004–2008 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Both years

  • Super White 040, 2003–2008 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Lunar Mist Metallic 1C8, 2003–2004 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Black Sand Pearl 209, 2003–2008 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Moonshadow Metallic 1E6, 2003–2004 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Impulse Red Pearl 3P1, 2003–2008 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Mineral Green Opal 6R6, 2003–2004 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Indigo Ink Pearl 8P4, 2003–2008 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2003

  • Avoid: The 2003 manual gearbox Less sought after

    CarComplaints.com, a complaints site and an unofficial source, ranks transmission failure on the 2003 among the Corolla's three worst problems. On its page for the fault, 16 of 17 reports are manuals, failing at about 96,000 miles on average. Owners' reports (unofficial)

2004

Nothing that 2003 lacks.

Both years

  • Sought after: High-mileage durability All years One source so far

    In a BobIsTheOilGuy thread on high-mileage 2003–2008 Corollas, an unofficial source, five of seven owners praise their cars' durability, including one at 174,000 miles and a 2003 that reached about 290,000. Owners' reports (unofficial)