FaultScore

1997 Toyota Corolla airbag problems

31 of the 149 complaints about the 1997 Toyota Corolla are about the airbag system — 21% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 135,000 miles.

F

31

Complaints

15

Crashes

0

Fires

10

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Frontal 22 71.0%
AIR Bags 9 29.0%

Airbags across every Toyota Corolla year

1993 50 1.1%
1994 76 1.6%
1995 62 1.3%
1996 32 0.7%
1997 31 0.7%
1998 64 1.4%
1999 20 0.4%
2000 18 0.4%
2001 23 0.5%
2002 23 0.5%
2003 333 7.1%
2004 237 5.1%
2005 458 9.8%
2006 453 9.7%
2007 439 9.4%
2008 138 2.9%
2009 554 11.8%
2010 425 9.1%
2011 418 8.9%
2012 370 7.9%
2013 73 1.6%
2014 71 1.5%
2015 56 1.2%
2016 65 1.4%
2017 54 1.2%
2018 35 0.7%
2019 31 0.7%
2020 17 0.4%
2021 52 1.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Spokane, WA

AIR BAGS

I WAS SCANNING MY VEHICLE WITH AN OBD2 SCANNER AND LEARNED THAT MY CAR, WHICH I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, HAS HAD RECALLS AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'VE BEEN RECTIFIED. ATTACHED ARE SCREENSHOTS OF THE RECALL INFORMATION. THE FIRST ONE HAS ME MORE WORRIED THAN THE OTHER....INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. PLEASE READ THE DETAILS. THE SECOND (FRONT STRUTS) IS SOMETHING THAT ALSO CONCERNS ME BECAUSE OF ITS LACK OF SHOCK ABSORPTION. MY VIN# [XXX] (ALSO ON THE SCREENSHOTS) IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY OF MY VEHICLE AND WHETHER OR NOT THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED, PLEASE SHARE IT WITH ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #11097722 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 158,000 miles Tampa, FL Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED FROM THE REAR AND LATER SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA complaint #10691882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clearwater, FL

AIR BAGS

TOYOTA COROLLA DX 1997 THE CAR WAS SOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER IN ST LOUIS MISSOURI WHILE I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL. THE CAR HAS BEEN NOW IN FLORIDA FOR THE LAST TEN YEAR IN A WARM, EXTREMELY HUMID CLIMATE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADMITTED TO A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. APPARENTLY IN HUMID CLIMATES. NOW DOES IT NOT MAKE SENSE TO CHECK OUT THE AIRBAG IF THE CAR HAS BEEN IN A HUMID CLIMATE .REGARDLESS WHERE THE CAR WAS SOLD ? OR IS THE CAR SAFE BECAUSE IT WAS SOLD SOMEWHERE ELSE AND IF THE CAR IS THEN DRIVEN IN A HUMID CLIMATE THE AIRBAG WILL WORK SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS IN A COLD WEATHER CLIMATE?

NHTSA complaint #10606820 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 135,000 miles Brooklyn, NY 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

NHTSA complaint #10261740 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 99,000 miles Corpus Christi, TX Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN AUGUST, AND THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, BECAUSE I WAS HIT VERY HARD. IT DIDN'T, AND CAUSED ME SEVERE PAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10249075 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Monica, CA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE CONSUMER WAS PARKED AT A GAS STATION WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10017967 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Santa Monica, CA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10017983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Houston, TX Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CRASHED, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #10017370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Seattle, WA

AIR BAGS

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE AIR BAG COMPUTER RECALL REPLACED DUE TO INCONVENIENCE OF LEAVING THE VEHICLE FULL DAY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PART. CONSUMER STATED THAT RECALL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE CONVENIENT, COURTEOUS SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS WHO ARE INCONVENIENCED BY THEIR MISTAKES.

NHTSA complaint #568318 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Secaucus, NJ 2 injured

AIR BAGS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #763921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oxon Hill, MD

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT, CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH SUCH GREAT FORCE THAT HIS VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM, CONSUMER STATES THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #563118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOLLOW-UP NOTICE ON AIR BAG COMPUTER, CONSUMER DOES NOTTHAT WHY IT TOOK MANUFACTURER THREE YEARS TO SEND A RECALL NOTICE SHE STATES SHE HAS BEEN AT THE SAME ADDRESS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, ALSO CONSUMER HAS BEEN BACK ANF FORTH FOR OTHER RELATED ISSUES AND THE DEALER NEVER CAUGHT THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED BACK IN APRIL OF 1997.

NHTSA complaint #563718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

AIR BAGS

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOLLOW-UP NOTICE ON AIR BAG COMPUTER, CONSUMER DOES NOTTHAT WHY IT TOOK MANUFACTURER THREE YEARS TO SEND A RECALL NOTICE SHE STATES SHE HAS BEEN AT THE SAME ADDRESS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, ALSO CONSUMER HAS BEEN BACK ANF FORTH FOR OTHER RELATED ISSUES AND THE DEALER NEVER CAUGHT THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED BACK IN APRIL OF 1997.

NHTSA complaint #563718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oxon Hill, MD

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT, CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH SUCH GREAT FORCE THAT HIS VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM, CONSUMER STATES THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #563118 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Belen, NM Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS GOING 40-45MPH WHEN CONSUMER T BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CROSSED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUFFER FROM WHIPLASH. DEALER STATED "IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED MORE INJURIES. CONSUMER WAS NOT GIVEN EXPLANATION WHY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE FROM TOYOTA INSPECTED VEHICLE AND STATED AIR BAGS OPERATED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BY NOT DEPLOYING. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #893482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 45MPH. 17 YEAR OLD HIT STEERING WHEEL. OTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AT THE TIME. FRONT END WAS CRUSHED BACKWARDS TOWARDS DRIVER & PASSENGER. HAD EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT.

NHTSA complaint #880393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oakton, VA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #873350 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kansas City, MO Crash 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE AIRBAGS WERE RECALLED MARCH OF 1997, I DO NOT KNOW IF WERE REPLACED OR THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL AIRBAGS. THEY DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MY OPTIONS.

NHTSA complaint #723170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Yardley, PA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #856558 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pompano Beach, FL 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AIR BAG DEPLOYEDMENT AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE. AFTER REPORTING THE INCIDENT TO MANUFACTURER, CONSUMER RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S. RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM .

NHTSA complaint #852911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Deigo, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE SIDE IMPACT AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES .

NHTSA complaint #833210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA Crash

AIR BAGS

HUSBAND DRIVING CAR APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. LADY IN VEHICLE AT A STOP SIGN CROSSED IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO TRY TO AVOID HITTING HER, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. FRONT OF MY VEHICLE STRUCK THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. MY DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. POLICE ALSO COMMENTED ON THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THAT WE SHOULD REPORT THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #702444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Deigo, CA Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN STOP LIGHT AND RAN INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.

NHTSA complaint #833368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rexburt, ID 1 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

CONSUMER S WAS DRIVING CAR ABOUT 25 MPH AND AIR BAG JUST DEPLOYED IN HER FACE, SHE WAS INJURED.

NHTSA complaint #827999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Omaha, NE

AIR BAGS

DRIVER'S SIDE CARPET IS LOOSE AROUND THE TRUNK RELEASE AND THE MAT SLIDES FORWARD, POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. (QC-AW)

NHTSA complaint #538571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT, SPEED APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT, INSURANCE COMPANY ESTIMATED DAMAGES $4,000.00, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #827174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Poughquag, NY Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

WHEN DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON ICE, CRASHED INTO A TREE HEAD-ON AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. DAMAGE AMOUNTED TO THE FRONT END, TOTALLED $8,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #823080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Carson, CA

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO START VEHICLE UP, AND WHEN DRIVER TURNED ON THE IGNITION THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. DRIVER DID NOT MOVE VEHICLE OR HIT ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN A PARK POSITION AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED.

NHTSA complaint #816174 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Governeur, NY Crash 2 injured

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

FATHER WAS DRIVING HIT A ROUGH SPOT AND THE AIR BAG INFLATED. DRIVER THEN HIT A BRIDGE AND THE PASSAGER'S SIDE AIR BAG INFLATED AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #812193 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD Crash

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

AFTER TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME FILLED WITH SMOKE. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #808768 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1997 Toyota Corolla problems

← Full 1997 Toyota Corolla report