1997 Toyota Corolla Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 135 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,187miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the electrical system of the 1997 Toyota Corolla, 5% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,187 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am experiencing electrical problems w/my dash and spoiler(doesn't light up fully, causing difficulty to see graphics during night and early morning driving.) all fuses have been checked/replaced, however this problem still persist. Advised per dealership to disconnect spoiler light due to it only being cosmetic . Also experiencing problems w/odors from air conditioning coming inside the vehicle. I was advised these odors would subside, due to service maintenance of air conditioning unit. These expenses have proven to be costly. Never have I been advised/notified of any recalls on my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10151826, filed 2006-03, 117,187 miles“On may 1, 2002 I left my office which is six miles from my home. When I started my car I heard a whining sound coming from under the hood. As the car started fine I decided to drive home. I had not had any problems with the car at this point. As I was driving home the whining sound increased. All the gauges read normal, the temperature gauge included. About 4 miles from home the whining sound increased so I turned off the A/C and the radio. I began to feel a sllight vibration when shifting gears. About 2 miles from home I began to smell a sickly-sweet odor. Approx. …”
NHTSA complaint #762808, filed 2002-06“When trying to start vehicle ignition switch will get locked, and consumer was unable to start vehicle. Dealer noted that when moving steering wheel from side to side ignition switch became undone. Consumer was able to start the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #8016147, filed 2002-08“My daughter went out in the morning to start her 1997 Toyota Corolla and it was very noisy, she tried to turn car off and it would not stop. The engine kept running and the starter was stuck in the starter position. She pulled the fuse for the ignition and the engine stopped but the starter was still in a high whine and was trying to start the car. (obviously stuck) it was getting very hot and smelling. Smoke started to come out of engine and she was about to try to unhook the battery cable when the starter quit. She was extremely lucky there was no fire, it was very close to that. …”
NHTSA complaint #10120897, filed 2005-05Related service bulletins
- 10152205Jan 6, 2017TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes SB No. T-SB-0101-11. Applicability has been updated to include 2016 ? 2017 model year vehicles…
- 10111390Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
- 10111197Apr 10, 2015TSB: When servicing interior electrical switches and components, please note the precautions in this bulletin to avoid damaging electrical components and switches. Many…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 8 | 12% |
| 2023 | 14 | 19% |
| 2022 | 21 | 21% |
| 2021 | 23 | 12% |
| 2020 | 34 | 11% |
| 2019 | 15 | 7% |
| 2018 | 12 | 9% |
| 2017 | 21 | 12% |
| 2016 | 14 | 7% |
| 2015 | 18 | 8% |
| 2014 | 52 | 19% |
| 2013 | 11 | 5% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 75 | 6% |
| 2009 | 89 | 6% |
| 2008 | 22 | 7% |
| 2007 | 89 | 11% |
| 2006 | 85 | 10% |
| 2005 | 59 | 7% |
| 2004 | 24 | 5% |
| 2003 | 34 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 7 | 5% |
| 2000 | 6 | 4% |
| 1999 | 6 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 7% |
| 1997 | 7 | 5% |
| 1996 | 12 | 9% |
| 1995 | 18 | 10% |
| 1994 | 12 | 7% |
| 1993 | 14 | 11% |
| 1992 | 12 | 19% |
| 1991 | 7 | 10% |
| 1989 | 3 | 13% |
| 1988 | 2 | 8% |
| 1987 | 1 | 7% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Corolla
38 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsTires
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsFuel system
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota Corolla
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology