Toyota Corolla / 1997
1997 Toyota Corolla problems
Owners have filed 149 complaints about the 1997 Toyota Corolla with NHTSA. Seat belts account for 26.2% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of air bags at 20.8%.
Complaints149
Crashes22
Fires5
Injuries22
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Seat belts 26.2% · 39
Air bags 20.8% · 31
Vehicle speed control 6.0% · 9
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.4% · 8
Tires 4.7% · 7
Electrical system 4.7% · 7
Structure 4.7% · 7
Power train 4.7% · 7
Severity
Of those complaints, 22 describe a crash, 5 describe a fire and 22 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 33 model years of the Toyota Corolla in this data, 1997 sits 28th by complaint volume. 2009 draws the most.
Filings are rising — 6 in the last three years against 5 in the three before. For a vehicle this age that usually points to a wear-related failure owners are hitting now.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 99,876 miles.
In owners' own words
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 responsibility to get this seat belt thing fixed every two years because of faulty/defective engineering. Seat belts · reported at 170,000 miles
Front driver's side seat belt will not disengage from retractor. Not only is this a safety issue but it is illegal to drive in this (and most) state(s) without wearing a seat belt. Numerous complaints on this issue have been reported. I believe Toyota owes it to the consumer to repair this unsafe and illegal problem many driver's are experiencing with this particular vehicle make/model. Seat belts · reported at 50,000 miles
This is the third time in two years that the seatbelts have failed. When the seatbelt does pull out of its housing, it can tighten up, restricting the ability of the driver to turn to see traffic situations. Sometimes the seatbelt will not pull out at all; sometimes it will pull out after multiple tries. I am not comfortable driving my car without a properly working seatbelt! Seat belts
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…