RoadVitals

1997 Toyota Corolla Airbags Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
29
Latest May 24, 2018
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
21%
of 135 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
15
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
13

What this page shows

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Toyota Corolla submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 29 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming airbag

The 25 most recent of 29, in the owner's own words

AirbagsSuspension
Filed May 24, 2018

I WAS SCANNING MY VEHICLE WITH AN OBD2 SCANNER AND LEARNED THAT MY CAR, WHICH I'M NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER, HAS HAD RECALLS AND I DON'T KNOW IF THEY'VE BEEN RECTIFIED. ATTACHED ARE SCREENSHOTS OF THE RECALL INFORMATION. THE FIRST ONE HAS ME MORE WORRIED THAN THE OTHER....INADVERTENT DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAGS. PLEASE READ THE DETAILS. THE SECOND (FRONT STRUTS) IS SOMETHING THAT ALSO CONCERNS ME BECAUSE OF ITS LACK OF SHOCK ABSORPTION. MY VIN# [XXX] (ALSO ON THE SCREENSHOTS) IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE HISTORY OF MY VEHICLE AND WHETHER OR NOT THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED, PLEASE SHARE IT WITH ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11097722
Incident
May 23, 2017
Airbags
Filed Mar 3, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED FROM THE REAR AND LATER SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

NHTSA ID
10691882
Incident
Feb 25, 2015
Mileage
158,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 29, 2014

TOYOTA COROLLA DX 1997 THE CAR WAS SOLD BY THE MANUFACTURER IN ST LOUIS MISSOURI WHILE I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL. THE CAR HAS BEEN NOW IN FLORIDA FOR THE LAST TEN YEAR IN A WARM, EXTREMELY HUMID CLIMATE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS ADMITTED TO A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. APPARENTLY IN HUMID CLIMATES. NOW DOES IT NOT MAKE SENSE TO CHECK OUT THE AIRBAG IF THE CAR HAS BEEN IN A HUMID CLIMATE .REGARDLESS WHERE THE CAR WAS SOLD ? OR IS THE CAR SAFE BECAUSE IT WAS SOLD SOMEWHERE ELSE AND IF THE CAR IS THEN DRIVEN IN A HUMID CLIMATE THE AIRBAG WILL WORK SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS IN A COLD WEATHER CLIMATE? *TR

NHTSA ID
10606820
Incident
Jun 4, 2014
Airbags
Filed Mar 13, 2009
1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH MUCH FORCE AND THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. SHE SUSTAINED MINOR LACERATIONS TO HER ARM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REPAIR WOULD APPROXIMATELY COST OVER $1,000 JUST FOR THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 135,000.

NHTSA ID
10261740
Incident
Mar 5, 2009
Mileage
135,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Nov 18, 2008
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN AUGUST, AND THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, BECAUSE I WAS HIT VERY HARD. IT DIDN'T, AND CAUSED ME SEVERE PAIN. *TR

NHTSA ID
10249075
Incident
Aug 15, 2008
Mileage
99,000 mi
Airbags
Filed May 1, 2003

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED ON. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10017983
Incident
Apr 30, 2003
Airbags
Filed May 1, 2003

THE CONSUMER WAS PARKED AT A GAS STATION WHEN THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10017967
Incident
May 1, 2003
Airbags
Filed Apr 22, 2003
Crash reported

THE CONSUMER TRIED TO AVOID HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE AND CRASHED, AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10017370
Airbags
Filed Nov 20, 2002

THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO HAVE AIR BAG COMPUTER RECALL REPLACED DUE TO INCONVENIENCE OF LEAVING THE VEHICLE FULL DAY AT THE DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PART. CONSUMER STATED THAT RECALL PROBLEMS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE CONVENIENT, COURTEOUS SERVICE TO CUSTOMERS WHO ARE INCONVENIENCED BY THEIR MISTAKES. *YH

NHTSA ID
568318
Airbags
Filed Jul 8, 2002
2 injuries reported

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
763921
Incident
Jul 5, 2002
Airbags
Filed Sep 24, 2001

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOLLOW-UP NOTICE ON AIR BAG COMPUTER, CONSUMER DOES NOTTHAT WHY IT TOOK MANUFACTURER THREE YEARS TO SEND A RECALL NOTICE SHE STATES SHE HAS BEEN AT THE SAME ADDRESS SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, ALSO CONSUMER HAS BEEN BACK ANF FORTH FOR OTHER RELATED ISSUES AND THE DEALER NEVER CAUGHT THE RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED BACK IN APRIL OF 1997.*YH

NHTSA ID
563718
Airbags
Filed Sep 18, 2001

WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT, CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH SUCH GREAT FORCE THAT HIS VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HIM, CONSUMER STATES THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*JB

NHTSA ID
563118
Airbags
Filed Aug 6, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported

VEHICLE WAS GOING 40-45MPH WHEN CONSUMER T BONED ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT CROSSED IN FRONT OF CONSUMER. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SUFFER FROM WHIPLASH. DEALER STATED "IT WAS A GOOD THING THAT AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED MORE INJURIES. CONSUMER WAS NOT GIVEN EXPLANATION WHY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE FROM TOYOTA INSPECTED VEHICLE AND STATED AIR BAGS OPERATED AS THEY SHOULD HAVE BY NOT DEPLOYING. *SLC

NHTSA ID
893482
Incident
Jun 2, 2001
Airbags
Filed Feb 12, 2001
Crash reported2 injuries reported

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY UPON IMPACT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 45MPH. 17 YEAR OLD HIT STEERING WHEEL. OTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP AT THE TIME. FRONT END WAS CRUSHED BACKWARDS TOWARDS DRIVER & PASSENGER. HAD EMERGENCY ROOM TREATMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
880393
Incident
Jan 24, 2001
Airbags
Filed Oct 19, 2000
Crash reported

WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH AND AS A RESULT OF AN ACCIDENT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT ANY TIME. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
873350
Airbags
Filed May 25, 2000
Crash reported1 injury reported

THE AIRBAGS WERE RECALLED MARCH OF 1997, I DO NOT KNOW IF WERE REPLACED OR THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL AIRBAGS. THEY DID NOT DEPLOY DURING THE ACCIDENT, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW MY OPTIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID
723170
Incident
May 20, 2000
Airbags
Filed Feb 9, 2000
Crash reported

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
856558
Airbags
Filed Jan 27, 2000
1 injury reported

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AIR BAG DEPLOYEDMENT AFTER STARTING VEHICLE AND RELEASING THE PARKING BRAKE. AFTER REPORTING THE INCIDENT TO MANUFACTURER, CONSUMER RECEIVED A MANUFACTURER'S. RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM . *AK

NHTSA ID
852911
Incident
Nov 4, 1999
Airbags
Filed Feb 9, 1999
Crash reported

CONSUMER HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE SIDE IMPACT AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED INJURIES . *AK

NHTSA ID
833210
Incident
Dec 24, 1998
Airbags
Filed Jan 21, 1999
Crash reported

HUSBAND DRIVING CAR APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. LADY IN VEHICLE AT A STOP SIGN CROSSED IN FRONT OF ME. I SLAMMED ON BRAKES TO TRY TO AVOID HITTING HER, BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO DO SO. FRONT OF MY VEHICLE STRUCK THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF HER VEHICLE. MY DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. POLICE ALSO COMMENTED ON THE FACT THAT THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND THAT WE SHOULD REPORT THE INCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
702444
Incident
Dec 24, 1998
Airbags
Filed Jan 11, 1999
Crash reported

ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN STOP LIGHT AND RAN INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID
833368
Incident
Jan 2, 1999
Airbags
Filed Sep 17, 1998
1 injury reported

CONSUMER S WAS DRIVING CAR ABOUT 25 MPH AND AIR BAG JUST DEPLOYED IN HER FACE, SHE WAS INJURED. *AK

NHTSA ID
827999
Incident
Sep 17, 1998
Airbags
Filed Aug 25, 1998
Crash reported

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT, SPEED APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT, INSURANCE COMPANY ESTIMATED DAMAGES $4,000.00, DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
827174
Incident
Aug 6, 1998
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Jul 30, 1998

DRIVER'S SIDE CARPET IS LOOSE AROUND THE TRUNK RELEASE AND THE MAT SLIDES FORWARD, POSSIBLY THE CAUSE OF AN ACCIDENT. (QC-AW)

NHTSA ID
538571
Incident
Jan 2, 1998
Airbags
Filed May 5, 1998
Crash reported

WHEN DRIVING 20 MPH THE VEHICLE SKIDDED ON ICE, CRASHED INTO A TREE HEAD-ON AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. DAMAGE AMOUNTED TO THE FRONT END, TOTALLED $8,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
823080
Incident
Jan 15, 1998

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .