1997 Toyota Tercel Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 40%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 1997 Toyota Tercel, 40% of the 20 complaints for this model year. 5 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.
“Consumer was traveling on a main road and another vehicle ran stop sign and hit consumer's vehicle. Upon impact, and dual airbags didn't go off, consumer sustained minor injuries. Also vehicle had previously been in accident where the airbags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #877426, filed 2001-01“The consumers vehicle bumped an empty construction barrel, as a a result the air bag deployed causing loss of visibility causing the driver to strike a construction vehicle, the consumer feels the air bag should not have deployed with just slight impact. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #563250, filed 2001-09“1995 chevrolet 1500 pickup ran stop sign, Tercel broadsided the truck at 30 MPH. Despite hitting another vehicle straight on, neither airbag deployed in the car. The Tercel was totalled and driver sustained minor injuries from the seatbelt.”
NHTSA complaint #751213, filed 2001-08“While backing out of the driveway and without prior warning another vehicle was passing through and both vehicle collided.upon impact air bags didn't deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10031891, filed 2003-08“Consumer was invovled in an accident. Vehicle was struck on both front and rear. Driver's/passenger's air bags failed to deploy. Impact speed unknown at this time. Manufacturer notified.”
NHTSA complaint #828996, filed 1998-10Related 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…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10131961Jan 14, 2014Toyota vehicles are equipped with Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS), including various airbags and in some models, seat belt pre-tensioners, to help reduce the risk of injury…
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Tercel
4 complaintsEngine cooling
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsTires
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Toyota Tercel
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