Engine Exhaust System Problems of Toyota Corolla - part 2

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).

See all problems of the 2004 Toyota Corolla 🔎.

This complaint regards the terrible smell emitted by my 2003 Toyota Corolla. The very strong smell fills the entire car, and often lasts several minutes. I do not know if the smell is harmful or not, but there should be something that Toyota can do to fix the problem.

See all problems of the 2003 Toyota Corolla 🔎.

I am writing regarding an issue with my 2002 Toyota Corolla. I recently had to replace an emissions control device in my car, a charcoal canister due to it being clogged. I am concerned that this may be a wide-spread problem because on the day that I had my car repaired, I met another person at the Toyota service station with the same issue and who also had a 2002 Toyota Corolla. However, fortunately for her she was still under warranty so she did not have to pay for the repair. The warranty for this part is 3 years or 36,000 miles. Unfortunately for me, I was at the 38,000 mark on mileage and so I was out of warranty. Before I had the car fixed, I contacted Toyota customer assistance center at 800-331-4331 (reference #: 200309021930) and after a bit of back and forth, they informed me that they would good will the part to me since I was right out of warranty, but I would have to pay for the labor. As a side to this story, Toyota north in mt. Kisco (where I purchased my car) labor fee to replace this part is a $90 diagnostic fee plus 1. 5 hours labor adding to a total of about $225. After shopping around, I found that Toyota city in mamaroneck (located within the same county as Toyota north) labor fee for the same job is $90 total. Obviously, I opted to go to Toyota city to have the part replaced. My concern is how many clogged charcoal canisters had to be replaced in the 2002 model of a Toyota Corolla. I did contact the u. S. Department of transportation, national highway traffic safety administration and filed a report regarding the failure on this part and hope that others would do the same. Overall, I don't think people are aware that they can file a report on this type of vehicle part, as they do not think it is related to a safety concern. I would like to get the message out to all Toyota owners that it is very important to file a report on any auto part that fails regardless of the fact that it is covered under the manufacturer's warranty.

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I own a 2003 Toyota Corolla le that emits a rotten egg smell when the engine is on and the car is idling.

Consumer states while driving at any speed smelled strong chemical fumes in the passenger compartment. Dealer has been notified.

While driving the vehicle the driver would smell a rotten egg smell. The dealership has been contacted. Both of the consumer Toyota Corollas exhibited a rotten egg/fuel smell. The smell caused the consumer to feel nauseated while driving. The consumer believes the problem is with the catalytic converter. The consumer went through arbitration but was denied her request for the manufacturer to replace or repurchase the vehicle. (second vehicle's VIN- jt0br32e632016592 - purchased 5-27-03).

Strong sulfur odor enters vehicle, presumably exhaust gases.

Since leasing my 2003 Toyota Corolla in March of 2003, I have experienced a rotten egg smell whenever the car is used. I brought it to the dealer (plaza auto mall) where I leased it from to have it checked out on 4/26/03. Technician found "no problems, everything operating normally at this time". On 6/2/04 I called Toyota customer assistance and explained the foul odor smell. I was told the problem stems from a gasoline issue and that new Toyotas are so efficenient at burning fuel that they also burn up contaminants in the fuel that were normally released into the atmosphere. They in turn forwarded my complaint to corporate customer relations. (complaint #200306020751) on 6/3/03 my dealership called to explain again what I had been told by customer relations and that there was nothing they could do at this time. He suggested trying a different brand of gas which I have done several times with no success with the foul odor smell.

There is a very foul sulfur smell that regularly enters the inside of my vehicle.

There was a sulfur smell inside the vehicle.

Strong sulfur smell while sitting in traffic.

My wife purchased a 2003 Toyota Corolla. She purchased it because of its implied economy. But despite the owner's manual claims that the car can use 87 octane or higher, such is not the case. In two words, rotten eggs. In two other words, hydrogen sulfide. As we decelerate to a stop light or sign, if the windows are open, or the ventilation system is set to intake outside air, the odor of rotten eggs is overpowering. (note that if the airflow pattern control is turned to either partial or total windshield defrost, the control will automatically enforce fresh, outside air intake. ) when I took it to the dealer, the service manager didn't bat an eyelash. Just opened a drawer and pulled out a sheet of paper which states that tmc assumes no responsibility for the problem, and will do nothing to remedy it. The paper further suggests that I should change brands of gasoline (we had already tried that) or change to a higher grade of gasoline. The dealer refused to write up the problem on a report. I can attest, the rotten egg odor doesn't abate if 87 octane fuel is used - even amoco which purports to be better than the rest. Searching these topics via google, I found a discussion suggesting that the cause was/is a catalytic converter running too hot - probably due to its proximity to the exhaust manifold. Sure enough, this vehicle has the first catalytic converter (there are two, in tandem) is coupled directly to the exhaust manifold. Further, there is no room to move the unit back, and, since the entire exhaust system is welded, any modifications to it would probably negate my warranty. My '88 Corolla uses the same 87 octane fuels, from the same brands (that we've tried on the '03 Corolla) and does not have this problem. Consumers deserve a better product than this. My son's '02 Honda civic doesn't seem to have this problem. Why should we - and our fellow road users behind us and to the sides of us - be forced to tolerate this deplorable stench?.

Fumes entering the inside of the vehicle through air vents. This problem is with the vehicle from the beginning when it was bought new and until now. The manufacturers instructions were to bring vehicle to dealers. Vehicle was brought to dealers for repair but dealers could not fix the defect.

Purchased car new on 10/4/02. Within a month noticed a very significant sulfar odor expecially when coming to a stop at traffic lights particularly when the engine is cold. I have taken it to the dealer twice and they tell me that nothing is wrong. Their explanation is that some gas stations put additives in their gas that create this odor. . They have done nothing further to solve this problem.

(1) rotten-egg smell from day 1 (purchased 9/2002) w/ cooling or heating system function. Dealer told me to switch octane and do not use recirculation - no improvement. (2) in 11/2003, daytime running lights came on in middle of night, drained battery. Dealer said TSB had been released - part ordered & installed to correct problem. (3) in 1/2004, leaking oil from under car, right front passenger's side - dealer said right front strut leaking & "completely blown. " had to be replaced & car required subsequent alignment.

Rotten egg smell- poor gas mileage (29 mpg- mostly highway/interstate) we have a problem with a rotten egg smell. We have complained and were told the following: 1) there's nothing wrong- it operating correctly. 2) you're running the wrong type of gas (we've tried all types) 3) you need to run the car on recirculation all the time so that you won't smell it.

In our 2003 Toyota Corolla, exhast fumes with a sulfurous smell often vent into the passenger compartment. Toyota claims that this is a problem with the gasoline, not the exhaust system. In other words, when the car is functioning properly, it is supposed to draw exhaust into the interior of the car, it is just not supposed to be noticeable. The national center for dispute settlement agrees.

This model is a 2003 bought in March 2002. There a strong smell of sulphur/rotten egg when engine cold or car climbs a hill. Duration about 5 minutes. Toyota's explanation: it is caused by the sulphur in gas , problem will vanish over time, no remedy exists, catalytic converter build as per specs and standards. The smell persists today a year and a half later. Any technical reasons you know , anything that Toyota could do and is not doing ? thanks.

Purchased car on 9-4-2001, no smell at all. Fuel pump goes bad and is replaced after 20 days owning car at 300 miles. After pump replacement I noticed very bad rotten egg smell. Took it to dealer for diagnostics and said nothing wrong with car, but it could be the fuel. It was advised to use 5 different fuels. Fill tank 3 times using each fuel until the car burns the gas that does not smell. They all smell and people as myself are getting sick riding in the car. The small happens at least twice a day with no set time. Some orders are light in smell then a strong smell that will force you out of the car. I have asked many owners of the same type of car who get gas at the same station I do if there car smells and everyone said no. I have contacted the dealer and a district tech from new york, and they have told me that they will not look at the car anymore and we have to go to arbitration. There phone no. Is 310- 618 4000. Something does not add up. Only one visit, the car still stinks, I feel sick driving it , no second visit to dealer, field tech brushing me off , and go to arbitration after one dealer visit. I want this investigated by your department , and I think it also my be time for law enforcement also .

Noticed an odor/fumes inside & outside of vehicle when its started or not. Most heavy when vehicle is started. Took to dealer at least 7 different times & problem has not resolved.

See all problems of the 1998 Toyota Corolla 🔎.

2003 Toyota Corolla heating system emits a rotten odor when activated. Since purchase of vehicle when the heating system is on there is an intermittent sulfur (rotten egg) odor emitted. Consumer stated, thought this was something that would eventually burn off, but it continues to happen. Was told by dealers to change gasoline, but this has not solved the problem.

The stone shield sticks up any kind of debris on the beltway. When the wind is blowing, mainly plastic bags start to burn. The problem has been reported to dealership. Dealer stated that the prolbem could not been corrected.

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The gas used in the state consumer lived in caused vehicle to accumulate sulfur. While driving consumer smelled sulfur. Which indicated that exhaust was entering the vehicle. Manufacturer indicated that this problem was caused by the exhaust getting caught underneath the vehicle. Although the manufacturer/ dealership were aware of this issue a remedy has not been found. There was a TSB on on this issue, not found in artemis.

When the heat was turned on, there was an odor coming from the vents.