1997 Toyota Tercel Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 20%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 150,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Toyota Tercel, 20% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 150,000 miles. 2 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.
“Both the driver and passenger side seat belts stopped working about the same time. I would buckle myself up and my passenger would the seat buckle pop's right out of the anchor. I am breaking the law every time I get in my car. I can not go on highways or freeways. I can not have a passenger ride in the front seat.”
NHTSA complaint #10995326, filed 2017-06, 150,000 miles“Both the driver side and passenger side seat belt buckles aren't working properly. Sometimes when you think you're buckled in the seat belt will release all of a sudden.”
NHTSA complaint #11172346, filed 2019-01“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 2001-08Seat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 4 | 20% |
| 1996 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 10 | 20% |
| 1994 | 3 | 8% |
| 1993 | 5 | 12% |
| 1992 | 11 | 46% |
| 1991 | 7 | 41% |
| 1990 | 2 | 11% |
| 1989 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 1 | 8% |
| 1986 | 3 | 50% |
| 1984 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 1997 Toyota Tercel
8 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