1997 Toyota Corolla Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 38about this part
- Share
- 28%of 135 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,850miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 38 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Toyota Corolla, 28% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,850 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Safety belts in Toyota Corolla lock so we are unable to use them. Toyota says since the car is a 97 and out of warranty it is not Toyota's responsibility. Wrong it is a defect that we replaced already once.”
NHTSA complaint #10163275, filed 2006-07, 93,700 miles“My seat belts in my Toyota Corolla has an defect, driver side seat belt is hung and I cant get it on I have to pull hard just to get it on, and it get hung again, passenger belt in the rear is all the way out and want retract, I have 3 kids under the age 6 and its a big concern for me.”
NHTSA complaint #10135792, filed 2005-09“This is the third time in two years that the seatbelts have failed. When the seatbelt does pull out of its housing, it can tighten up, restricting the ability of the driver to turn to see traffic situations. Sometimes the seatbelt will not pull out at all; sometimes it will pull out after multiple tries. I am not comfortable driving my car without a properly working seatbelt!”
NHTSA complaint #715605, filed 1999-12“Drivers seat belt gets locked easily. Unable to pull seat belt out to apply at times. While driving vehicle the seat belt will lock and restrict movement. There is no pattern to when seat belt lock and when it works. When I bring it into a dealer it always seems to work fine at the time so no repairs are made. There have been several complaints from other owners that this is a defect and I feel it should be address as it is a liability issue.”
NHTSA complaint #731459, filed 2000-09“I would really like to see you look into a recall of this vehicle for the seat belt issue. You have more complaints on the 1997 Toyota for seat belts failing to retract than anything else. The factory obviously knows there is a probelm, have admitted they have a problem in my car, yet are playing the odds by forcing me to wait a year to get my case to court. I fortunately can, but what about families that cannot. In my case they can't even guarantee they have found the problem, yet want a fifth, and most likely sixth time to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #716734, filed 2000-01Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% |
| 2021 | 8 | 4% |
| 2020 | 8 | 3% |
| 2019 | 9 | 4% |
| 2018 | 11 | 8% |
| 2017 | 11 | 6% |
| 2016 | 26 | 12% |
| 2015 | 8 | 4% |
| 2014 | 15 | 6% |
| 2013 | 12 | 6% |
| 2012 | 7 | 2% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 13 | 1% |
| 2009 | 11 | 1% |
| 2008 | 5 | 2% |
| 2007 | 11 | 1% |
| 2006 | 5 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 1% |
| 2004 | 14 | 3% |
| 2003 | 38 | 5% |
| 2002 | 5 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 6% |
| 1998 | 17 | 8% |
| 1997 | 38 | 28% |
| 1996 | 18 | 14% |
| 1995 | 16 | 9% |
| 1994 | 25 | 15% |
| 1993 | 14 | 11% |
| 1992 | 9 | 14% |
| 1991 | 13 | 18% |
| 1990 | 4 | 15% |
| 1989 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 7 | 27% |
| 1987 | 3 | 21% |
| 1984 | 4 | 67% |
| 1982 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Corolla
29 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
9 complaintsElectrical system
7 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 Nov 1, 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