2004 Toyota Corolla: grinding or squealing brakes

5 of the 477 complaints about the 2004 Toyota Corolla describe grinding or squealing brakes.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
typical mileage: 128,000
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 11 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Grinding or squealing brakes by model year

2025
2
2024
1
2022
1
2021
1
2019
2
2018
3
2017
7
2016
13
2013
2
2011
2
2010
20
2009
19
2008
1
2007
9
2006
7
2005
8
2004
5
2003
18
2002
3
1999
3
1998
3
1997
1
1995
2
1994
1
1992
1
1991
1

What owners say

Filed Jul 20, 2016 · Transmission · 148,000 miles · DE

Car was running perfectly. Very suddenly it started making this horrible grinding noise. I went to pull into a parking lot and the car just stopped. I did not hit the brakes yet and was glad I was going slow. Transmission is blown with no warning, no leaks, and no noise except at the last few minutes. Had to have it towed.

Filed Sep 22, 2015 · Suspension, Wheels · 133,083 miles · CA

I heard a loud pop when driving at 25 MPH then something started grinding all the way home. My husband checked the wheels and noticed the driver rear had to much negative camber. Checked and notice that two bolts were missing from the rear hub assembly that hold it the axle and the two that were left were very loose that I was lucky the wheel didnt fall out . He checked the passenger side hub assembly and all bolts were loose , he re- torque all bolts to 45 ft lbs as recommend and added blue locke tight tothe bolts and ordered new bolts for the driver rear. Rear hub assemblies are original never been touched . Thanks

Filed Dec 30, 2014 · Transmission · 128,000 miles · NJ

My manual transmission failed this evening. Fortunately I was only an eighth of a mile from home and was able to use my momentum to safely get off the road. I heard a loud pop, then the clutch began to grind horrifically. I was able to bring the car to a stop, but unable to shift out of neutral. The front axle is completely siezed, and the car is inoperable. I had the car flatbeded to my mechanic, the flat bed driver had to winch the vehicle on to the truck. My mechanic took one look and informed me that I will need to replace the clutch and manuel transmission and that this is a known issue with 2003 and 2004 toyota corollas. Why was no recall or consumer notice issued for this manual transmission failure? I had my coworker in the car as well.

Filed May 10, 2012 · Transmission · 94,000 miles · MO

At 94,000 miles the transmission started to make a grinding noise. I took it in to the dealer and they told me that the transmission was shot and had to be replaced.

Filed Feb 20, 2005 · Brakes, Suspension · 500 miles · FL

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.