Model year record

1997 Toyota Corolla

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 149 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V043001

Air bags

Component
Air bags
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Vehicles affected
61,202
Reported to NHTSA
1997-03-20
Owners notified
1997-04-07

Defect description

IF THE AIR BAG COMPUTER IN A SUBJECT VEHICLE EXPERIENCES A MECHANICAL SHOCK (I.E., RAPIDLY MOVING THE FRONT SEAT BACK AGAINST THE STOPS OR A SUDDEN RELEASE OF THE PARKING BRAKE) WITHIN A VERY SHORT TIME AFTER THE ENGINE IS STARTED, THE AIR BAG CAN DEPLOY INADVERTENTLY.

Safety risk

UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AIR BAG COMPUTER.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Seat belts: front: retractor2450,000 mi
Air bags: frontal2299,000 mi
Air bags9158,000 mi
Vehicle speed control799,876 mi
Seat belts660,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage5
Power train: automatic transmission450,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Fuel system, gasoline380,525 mi
Seat belts: front3
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3
Tires: tread/belt3
Unknown or other3135,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring2
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2
Latches/locks/linkages297,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2
Structure: body2200,000 mi
Structure: body: door2
Suspension2
Tires2
Tires: sidewall2
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Child seat1
Child seat: harness buckle: infant1
Electrical system: ignition: switch1
Electrical system: starter assembly1
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1117,187 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Equipment1
Exterior lighting1200,000 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1
Power train: axle assembly1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats175,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner1
Service brakes176,110 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Steering193,000 mi
Steering: linkages1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: trunk lid1
Structure: frame and members1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels1200,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.