10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
38,333 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Toyota Corolla:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #6

Jul 012015

Corolla

  • 170,000 miles
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 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.

- Reno, NV, USA

problem #5

Apr 082008

Corolla

  • 60,000 miles
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 screwdriver to open the seat belt. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was suggested that the release button be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired and the VIN was unavailable when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The current mileage was approximately 99,000.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #4

Jun 012004

Corolla 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The driver's seat belt and the rear seat belts did not retract. The dealer will repair at owner's expense.

- Hope Mills, NC, USA

problem #3

Nov 291999

(reported on)

Corolla

  • miles
Driver's side shoulder belt does not retract all the way, and the passenger's side seatbelt does not connect with buckle, meaning not locking up. Dealer has not seen vehicle.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 011998

Corolla

  • miles
Back middle seat belt and back passenger side seat belt will not snap shut.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #1

Feb 021997

Corolla

  • miles
The front seat belt wires part of rubbed together untill the seat belt caught on fire. The seat belt has a defect in it. This report is from a fire fighter.

- Chino, CA, USA