1997 Toyota Corolla Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 7%of 135 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,876miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Toyota Corolla, 7% of the 135 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,876 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, 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 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.”
NHTSA complaint #10319446, filed 2010-03, 186,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10316670, filed 2010-03, 40,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10290932, filed 2009-11, 99,876 miles“When applying gas pedal, vehicle will not move, also brake pedal gets really hard and vehicle starts to lose power. Took vehicle to dealer and they replaced master cylinder/calipers, and brake pads, but the problem is still occurring. . Consumer stated after applying the pedal, it will eventually get hard which slows down the vehicle, when stepping on the gas pedal from 40 MPH to 30 MPH then there is smell of something burning and eventually the vehicle will not move.”
NHTSA complaint #8005794, filed 2002-03“While pulling into a parking space vehicle suddenly accelerated by itself, then crashed into a gate. Consumer shifted thevehicle into park. Took to dealer, they couldn't find anything wrong.”
NHTSA complaint #853341, filed 1999-11Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 11% |
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2021 | 7 | 4% |
| 2020 | 5 | 2% |
| 2019 | 13 | 6% |
| 2018 | 11 | 8% |
| 2017 | 29 | 16% |
| 2016 | 22 | 10% |
| 2015 | 18 | 8% |
| 2014 | 29 | 11% |
| 2013 | 18 | 9% |
| 2012 | 16 | 4% |
| 2011 | 46 | 8% |
| 2010 | 198 | 16% |
| 2009 | 197 | 14% |
| 2008 | 54 | 17% |
| 2007 | 95 | 11% |
| 2006 | 75 | 9% |
| 2005 | 66 | 8% |
| 2004 | 60 | 13% |
| 2003 | 77 | 11% |
| 2002 | 11 | 9% |
| 2001 | 14 | 11% |
| 2000 | 7 | 5% |
| 1999 | 13 | 8% |
| 1998 | 18 | 8% |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% |
| 1996 | 7 | 5% |
| 1995 | 3 | 2% |
| 1994 | 8 | 5% |
| 1993 | 9 | 7% |
| 1992 | 2 | 3% |
| 1991 | 3 | 4% |
| 1989 | 3 | 13% |
| 1988 | 1 | 4% |
| 1987 | 3 | 21% |
| 1984 | 1 | 17% |
| 1982 | 3 | 60% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Corolla
38 complaintsAir bags
29 complaintsBrakes
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 Oct 31, 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