1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. CONSUMER WRITES TO INQUIRE ABOUT A RECALL ON THE GAS PEDAL ENTRAPMENT *TGW
1997 Toyota Corolla
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Toyota Corolla do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 129.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Corolla years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 21 of 135 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seat Belts. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 29 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
135 reports1997 TOYOTA COROLLA, UNIT WAS WESTBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE. UNIT 1 HAD AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE WITH THE REAR TIRES. UNIT 1 ATTEMPTED TO PULL ONTO THE RIGHT BERM BUT LOST CONTROL DUE TO THE EQUIPMENT FAILURE. UNIT 1 WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL, AND SPUN TO REST IN THE CENTER LANE. *BF ACCORDING …
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1997 TOYOTA COROLLA, UNIT WAS WESTBOUND IN THE CENTER LANE. UNIT 1 HAD AN EQUIPMENT FAILURE WITH THE REAR TIRES. UNIT 1 ATTEMPTED TO PULL ONTO THE RIGHT BERM BUT LOST CONTROL DUE TO THE EQUIPMENT FAILURE. UNIT 1 WENT OFF THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROADWAY STRUCK THE GUARDRAIL, AND SPUN TO REST IN THE CENTER LANE. *BF ACCORDING TO THE POLICE REPORT, WHEN THE OFFICER ARRIVED ON THE SCENE THE REAR TIRES WERE COMPLETELY DEFLATED AND SEPARATED FROM THE RIM. IT WAS UNKNOWN AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE REAR TIRES TO DEFLATE. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0044-91. *JB UPDATED 03/21/11 *BF
I HAVE A TOYOTA COROLLA 1997 AND THE GAS TANK IS PRESSED SO THAT IT BREAKS. I HAVE ALREADY CHANGED TWO TANKS IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS AND TELL ME THAT LOOKS LIKE A FACTORY FLAW WANTED TO KNOW IF I COULD HELP? *TR
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 SCREWDRIVER TO OPEN THE SEAT BEL…
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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 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.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE. SUDDENLY, THE BACK HEEL AREA OF THE SHOE WAS STUCK INSIDE OF THE LEVER THAT RETRACTS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THER…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE. SUDDENLY, THE BACK HEEL AREA OF THE SHOE WAS STUCK INSIDE OF THE LEVER THAT RETRACTS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED FOR THE INCIDENT. THERE WERE TWO PERSONAL INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE MANUFACTURER AND AUTHORIZED DEALER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 75,000. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF UPDATED 05/14/10.*JB
I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON MY TOYOTA COROLLA 1997 WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE AND SET ON SPEED. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES OVERT HE LAST THREE YEARS AND I CAN CORRECT IT BY TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. SOMETIMES IT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I SET THE SPEED AND SOMETIMES WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I ACCELERATE WITH THE CRUISE CON…
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I EXPERIENCE SUDDEN ACCELERATION ON MY TOYOTA COROLLA 1997 WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ACTIVE AND SET ON SPEED. IT HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES OVERT HE LAST THREE YEARS AND I CAN CORRECT IT BY TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. SOMETIMES IT WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I SET THE SPEED AND SOMETIMES WOULD HAPPEN WHEN I ACCELERATE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SET ON SPEED. *TR
IN MY 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA, I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AUTOMATICALLY TOOK OFF ON IT'S OWN. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT THE ONLY THING THAT I COULD DO WAS TRY TO STEER AWAY FRO…
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IN MY 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA, I WAS AT A STOPLIGHT WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO TURN GREEN, WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AUTOMATICALLY TOOK OFF ON IT'S OWN. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IT HAPPENED SO QUICKLY THAT THE ONLY THING THAT I COULD DO WAS TRY TO STEER AWAY FROM TRAFFIC AND ONTO THE SHOULDER. THE ONLY SAFE PLACE TO GO WAS OVER THE SIDEWALK AND HITTING THE SIDE OF A CHURCH BUILDING ENDING UP IN A DITCH WHEN IT FINALLY STOPPED. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE POLICE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALED MY CAR. IT IS ONLY BY THE GRACE OF GOD, THAT MY HUSBAND AND I WE'RE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED. IT NEEDS TO BE KNOWN, THAT THIS ACCELERATOR PROBLEM WITH TOYOTA HAS BEEN GOING ON AT LEAST SINCE 1997. SINCE THEN, I HAVE ENCOUNTERED OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD ACCIDENTS DUE TO THEIR TOYOTA VEHICLE RUNNING OUT OF CONTROL. SHORTLY AFTER OUR ACCIDENT IN 2001, I HEARD REPORTS ABOUT TOYOTA CARS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I WILL NOT BE BUYING ANOTHER TOYOTA CAR EVER AGAIN. IF YOU NEED ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, I WILL BE GLAD TO PROVIDE IT. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND THIS RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO EVERY TOYOTA VEHICLE NOT JUST THE MORE RECENT MODELS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH, AND THEN SHE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. A MECHANIC DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO THEY HAD …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH AND WOULD NOT DECELERATE. AFTER REPEATED BRAKE APPLICATION THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 20 MPH, AND THEN SHE TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. A MECHANIC DISABLED THE CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO THEY HAD TO REPAIR THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM BECAUSE THE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS DAMAGED DUE TO HER EXCESSIVE BRAKING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,876.THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MUCH FORCE AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR LACERATIONS TO HER ARM. THE DEALER STATED THAT…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MUCH FORCE AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR LACERATIONS TO HER ARM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD APPROXIMATELY COST OVER $1,000 JUST FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.
I HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSH ON 1997 COROLLA ON DEC 31, 2008. ON JAN 17, 2009, WHILE DRIVING, CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AFTER STRONG VIBRATIONS. FORTUNATELY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON HIGHWAY. THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP SAID TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKING UP. TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED?. THE SECOND REPAIR SHOP OPENED THE TRANSMISSION AND FOU…
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I HAD TRANSMISSION FLUSH ON 1997 COROLLA ON DEC 31, 2008. ON JAN 17, 2009, WHILE DRIVING, CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED AFTER STRONG VIBRATIONS. FORTUNATELY, THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON HIGHWAY. THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP SAID TRANSMISSION TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKING UP. TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED?. THE SECOND REPAIR SHOP OPENED THE TRANSMISSION AND FOUND ?TRANSFER CASE HAS NO OIL INSIDE?, WITH BROKEN BEARING THAT CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND NEED TOTAL REBUILD. BOTH SHOPS SAID IT COULD BE THE RESULTS OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH JOB. I CONTACTED THE SHOP THAT PERFORMED THE TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND THEY DENIED OF ANY POSSIBLE MISTAKE. IF THEY HAD ACCIDENTALLY EMPTIED THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, THE CAR SHOULD HAVE SEIZED IMMEDIATELY, NOT A FEW WEEKS AFTERWARDS. THEY SAID THAT WITH AGE, THE SEAL BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE COULD HAVE BEEN DAMAGED AND THE OIL IN THE DIFFERENTIAL UNIT (TRANSFER CASE) TO LEAK AND EVENTUALLY DRIED UP AND CAUSE THE FAILURE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON TOYOTA RECALL AND SERVICE BULLETIN. NOTHING OF THIS NATURE CAME UP FOR THIS MODEL YEAR BUT FOUND SIMILAR DESCRIPTION FOR 1997 TOYOTA PREVIA DEFECT RECALL DATE APR04, 1997 WITH DEFECT CONSEQUENCE: ?OIL LEAKAGE WILL RESULT IN A SUFFICIENTLY LOW OIL SUPPLY TO CAUSE BEARING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL UNIT LEADING TO EVENTUAL SEIZURE OF THE UNIT INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. SO COULD IT BE A DEFECT SIMILAR TO THE 1997 TOYOTA PREVIA OR COULD IT BE THE SHOPS MISTAKE TO UNKNOWINGLY DRAIN THE DIFFERENTIAL COMPARTMENT WHICH CAN LEAD TO THE SAME SYMPTOM EVENTUALLY (NOT NECESSARILY IMMEDIATELY AS THEY CLAIMED) *TR
Official recalls
197V043001 · Air Bags
Mar 20, 1997
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: UNEXPECTED AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT CAN RESULT IN OCCUPANT INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPAIR THE AIR BAG COMPUTER.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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