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1997 Toyota CorollaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 135 owner complaints about the 1997 Toyota Corolla, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

62
CarFlaw IndexSolid year38% below the Corolla median · #30 of 38 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints13544 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage77kSeat belts, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through January 30, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1997 Toyota Corolla has problems

135 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts383
Air bags2919
Vehicle speed control94
Service brakes, hydraulic81
Tires71
Structure70
Electrical system73
Power train60
Steering51
12 other systems254

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1997 Toyota Corolla recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Toyota.

Best & worst years

1997 vs. every other Corolla year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Corolla median. How we score

'69'70'71'73'76'77'78'79'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1997 Toyota Corolla safety ratings

1997 Toyota Corolla 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

1997 Toyota Corolla side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Corolla owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT COME OUT. I HAVE ACTUALLY HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND GOT IT FIXED ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO AGO. I PAID OVER 300.00 FOR A MECHANIC SHOP TO COMPLETELY REPLACE MY SEAT BELT. NOW IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN TO THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT. I REALLY DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE MY…
Complaint 10731876 · Jul 3, 2015 · 170,000 miles
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO UNLATCH THE SEAT BELT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BUT IT STILL WOULD NOT RELEASE. SHE HAD TO USE A…
Complaint 10324546 · Apr 8, 2010 · 60,000 miles
FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCK AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO PULL OUT THE SEAT BELT IT FINALLY LOCKS. HAD SEAT BELT REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES AND KEEPS REPEATING. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AFTER READING THE NUMEROUS LOGS ABOUT THIS VERY PROBLEM. *JB
Complaint 10176778 · Dec 21, 2006

Own a 1997 Corolla?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.