1997 Toyota Corolla Consumer Discussions

Replacing leaking oil gasket in 97 Corolla

• Replacing leaking oil gasket in 97 Corolla

  Written by: walletless on Jan 12, 2012 10:16:34 PM

  I am wondering how much would it cost to replace a leaking oil gasket in a 1997 Toyota Corolla. My mechanic quoted me $400, but it seems very high. I asked him how much work is involved, and he said basically he has to unscrew like 8-9 screws to remove the current gasket, clean the oil below it, replace with a new one, and seal the gasket.. He said labor is ... Read More

97 Corolla Owner's Manual?

• 97 Corolla Owner's Manual?

  Written by: walletless on Jan 5, 2012 10:11:19 AM

  I have a 1997 Toyota Corolla DX, but when I bought the car several years ago, the original owner did not have the owner's manual. Does anyone know where/how I can find one? a digital/PDF copy is fine too.. I need one right now to understand how to refill the coolant once it has been completely flushed. Thanks in advance for replying.

Toyota Corolla Electric-Assist Power Steering (EPS)

• Re: Corolla power steering [pekelvr]

  Written by: biffpreston on Aug 4, 2010 10:24:21 AM

  Pekelvr What are you trying to say? I know theres a lot more to the driving problems than just veering on the highway and straight roads. Toyota admitted in a press statement which I can easily find or anyone else for that matter that the "fix" did not affect road handling. I wouldn't believe anyone who said that it does either. Column mounted electric steering in which there is a variable ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

• Re: Problem with manual locks on Toyota Corolla [bethclouser]

  Written by: msirish on May 22, 2009 3:18:51 PM

  I gave my 1997 Toyota Corolla to my daughter in LA. She just called to say that the key willnot work. I believe Ihave heard that replacement door keys (not the new computerized one) can be bought at the dealerships. IS this right?? Anyone every have to replace a door/ignition key?? This car is still good, and her main transportation. So, we will need to find a replacement key quickly!

Who plans on keeping their Corolla for 200K+ miles?

• Re: Who plans on keeping their Corolla for 200K+ miles? [bottgers]

  Written by: qwnv on Apr 25, 2008 9:25:42 PM

  In 1997 bought my 95 Toyota Corolla DX used for $12,000. It had approximately 30K miles. Today, my Nellie has over 238,000 miles. I had purchased an extended warranty and before the warranty expired, parts failed and I had to replace the alternator, timing belt, and some other major engine work. Each incident was $50 out of pocket. Since then I have replaced the timing belt and water pump an additional ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Electrical Problems

• electrical problem

  Written by: mnemo on Sep 26, 2008 6:54:48 PM

  My 1997 toyota corolla just started to act funny. When I step on the brakes the headlights, and dashboard lights including radio and clock go out but then come back on when I step off the brake. can anyone give me a suggestion? The car runs fine otherwise.Thanks.

Toyota Corolla Accessories and Modifications

• good site for body kits for a 97 corolla

  Written by: changoballs on Jun 30, 2008 4:26:43 PM

  i have a 1997 Toyota corolla and i wanna try and make it a great car so i need help with a good web site that has body kits, engines,rims, etc.. i would deaply apritiate if some one would take a moment to help me out. thank you

Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda3 vs. Volkswagen Jetta vs. Chevrolet Cobalt

• Toyota Corolla vs. Mazda 3 vs. Volkswaggen Jetta vs. Chevrolet CObalt

  Written by: tpulak on Dec 18, 2007 5:59:09 PM

  I am looking for a replacement for a 1997 Toyota Camry. Though people say Toyota Camry's use less gas, mine is giving horrific numbers(20 miles per gallon in highway, and less in the city). Also, the Camry was a kind of bland looking car, with a very mushy ride. Also, for the money, it doesn't have much features: this car was $20,500 new, and didn't even have a CD player.(who plays ... Read More

2009 Toyota Corolla

• Re: No horse [kdhspyder]

  Written by: nippononly on Nov 2, 2007 8:24:39 PM

  "Now the isssue is to figure out 'Why' they did that intentionally." Maybe it's a case of once burned, twice shy. Or in the case of Toyota lately, thrice burned, four, five times burned? They are taking baby steps with new models for a while, after the Camry burps and the Tundra problems. They delayed the new HL a little bit, and it seems that new model has gotten off to ... Read More

• Re: IF [drfill]

  Written by: mcmanus on Jul 4, 2007 5:29:03 AM

  "No one ever made a bad move buying a Corolla. That's the hook." That about sums it all up. Corolla is what the computer industry used to call the "IBM decision". A mindless, gutless, no risk, high quality choice. If you're a car enthusiast (like most spending time on a forum like this), a Corolla is too bland or sedate of a choice. But if a car is just transportation to ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

• Problem with manual locks on Toyota Corolla

  Written by: bethclouser on Mar 19, 2007 9:40:42 AM

  I recently bought a 1997 Toyota Corolla. Everything has been perfect with this car, except that I needed a new battery and three fuses replaced, which I took care of this past Saturday. Yesterday (Sunday) I went and unlocked the car using my key. The car does not have remote keyless entry or an alarm system, although it does have electronic door locks. Anyway, yesterday the doors opened just fine. This ... Read More

• Re: Rattling Noise in 1997 Toyota Corolla [dadof6]

  Written by: star512 on Nov 28, 2006 9:00:50 PM

  Thanks for answering with a possible reason! I ended up finding the cause of the problem in an offhand way. I had my battery checked and found that I needed a new one. During the check they saw that I was somehow missing the tiedown as well. So the battery would shake and rattle when the car was still, but once the car was moving, the battery was held in place ... Read More

• Re: Rattling Noise in 1997 Toyota Corolla [star512]

  Written by: dadof6 on Oct 26, 2006 6:38:10 PM

  Is the noise on the passenger side of the engine compartment? Sounds like a timing belt loose from wear or stretching.

• Rattling Noise in 1997 Toyota Corolla

  Written by: star512 on Oct 3, 2006 12:17:23 PM

  Hi! I have a 1997 Toyota Corolla with 180K miles. When idling (such as at a stopsign or stoplight), there is a rattling/shaking noise under the hood. If I were to shift the car into park, the noise stops. It doesn't make the noise at any other time while driving, and seems to make the noise less when warmed up. Anyone have an idea?

• Starting Problem on 97 Corolla

  Written by: chicagotom on Aug 30, 2006 10:43:54 AM

  I have a 1997 Toyota Corolla that I am having trouble with lately. Every so often when I go to start the car, it does not start. I turn the key and nothing happens. What is interesting is that if I quickly turn the key three or four times it will eventually start. When I turn the key, no noise is made, the car is just dead until the third or ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Real World MPG

• WAKE UP TOYOTA! Give us better mileage!

  Written by: agalas on Apr 29, 2006 11:16:33 PM

  My 94 Corolla, with 147,500 miles, runs almost like new, and gets 35.4 mpg, combined real world mileage! What the hell is wrong with Toyota and Honda as well? Consumer reports claims the 2006 Corolla gets 29 mpg combined, and the Yaris gets 36 according to CD! How can it be that 12 years of car tech advancement has yielded absolutley no increase in mileage? With gas at $3.00, mileage is ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

• Re: Engine Breakdown [cwd2]

  Written by: babs1 on Jul 11, 2005 9:27:30 PM

  My mechanic said the problem is with the aluminum engine and the rings. The engines are faulty. He told me he has seen several corollas, suvs, camerys from 1997-2004 with the same problem. They have caused sludge problems, oil burns, and in every case Toyota blamed the owner for improper maintence. I should know I am on my second engine with the same problem as the first. I cheked the stick ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Owners: Meet the Members

• Website?

  Written by: borath on Dec 25, 2003 2:35:21 PM

  I recently found a link to a website on here. It was something like: pressrelease.toyota.com or something like that. On the site it had all of Toyota's models like the camry, corolla, etc... with a history of each car. It listed the significant changes to the car year by year. Like what changed from 1996 to 1997. And talked about each new generation of all the models. Does anyone know the ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

• Test driving Corollas, worried about gas and trunk release

  Written by: ceedee2 on Aug 9, 2003 8:57:43 PM

  I have recently test driven several Corollas and one Camry (1997-2000), and on all of them the gas door and trunk release levers feel extremely flimsy. They either barely work, or open both when you are trying to open one, or on the Camry the fuel door wouldn't open at all. I really like these cars but the levers feel like they will break. I saw a mention of the trunk ... Read More

• sunroof is kaput! Just in time for spring too!

  Written by: berkelyblue on Mar 5, 2003 4:53:19 PM

  I have a 1997 toyota corolla DX with a power sunroof, but it's not working. The fuse is good since it's on the power window fuse, and the switch seems to be fine(continuity checked) so this kinda narrows down to the relay or the motor, motor seems the unlikely culprit so I'm trying to see if the relay is the problem, but I'm having trouble locating the sunroof control relay, does ... Read More

Toyota Corolla

• no title

  Written by: coolguyky7 on Jul 28, 2002 4:28:48 PM

  I just noticed today that the 1996 and 1997 Corollas have different door panel designs. What is up with that? Why would Toyota have changed it in that model's last year of production? The 1996 has a padded area just below the window and has more cloth. The 1997 model is more like the 1998-02 generation door panel design.

• Hey civicw, my previous cars have been..........

  Written by: vicarouza on Apr 11, 2002 12:25:45 PM

  a 1998 Toyota Corolla (bought it brand new in April 1998) - I don't recall feeling anything like this (in fact THAT car was drumtight with not a single problem), I've owned a 1997 Toyota Tercel which had over 90,000 miles on it when I sold it - again never felt anything like this in all the time I had it.....I've also co-owned a 2001 Toyota 4-Runner and a 2000 Acura ... Read More

• Torsion Beam Axle and other things

  Written by: 8u6hfd on Jan 8, 2002 9:08:10 AM

  Sport Compact Car tested the Matrix XRS. It compared favorably to the IRS Celica GTS, a tad less precise. No doubt the Corolla won't handle nearly as well, since the suspension tuning will be much softer (reason why people complain about the suspension on the MKIV Golf/Jetta). The Maxima has a torsion beam rear, and handling wasn't compromised too much. Magazines don't really complain about its handling too much, except for ... Read More

• I love my Toyota Corolla!!!

  Written by: patzilla on Jul 18, 2001 10:38:53 PM

  Ok, so the first Toyota I owned was a preowned 1994 Corolla Wagon DX - poor thing started having computer problems just past the 100,000 mile mark, so we decided to trade it in (it was going to cost $1900 to replace the computer, and that was on top of all the other problems we "fixed" - stuff the computer was saying was wrong when it wasn't) - We gave up ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

• Corolla engine humming at 70mph

  Written by: anjancd on May 31, 2001 2:52:37 PM

  I have a 1997 Corolla CE with about 57000 miles on it. Since last 3-4 months, when i drive at 70mph or more (if you drive at less than 75mph on a 65mph zone on interstate, people really push you)i hear a very loud and constant humming noise. I showed it twice to my toyota dealer. During a test drive, the mechanic acknowledged that the noise was unusually more, so he ... Read More

Toyota Corolla

• Next-generation Corolla?

  Written by: raychuang00 on May 17, 2001 11:35:28 AM

  Folks, The current Toyota Corolla sold in the USA has been around since 1997. I believe that Toyota probably within a year of replacing it with an all-new model. From what I've read, the new Corolla will have quite a bit different and radical styling (think of it as a Prius writ large), and will likely sport a 135-140 bhp engine. It's even possible that a larger version of the Prius' ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

• Corolla Price

  Written by: hau4300 on Feb 16, 2001 4:09:12 PM

  Hi: I would like you guys to give me some suggestion about the price of a Toyota Corolla 1997 with 73,400 miles on it. The dealer is asking for $7,500US. Do you think this is reasonable? What is the reasonable price for a car like this? Thank a million. Art

• 1997 Toyota Flasher

  Written by: nkd40 on Jan 1, 2001 2:24:33 PM

  I have a 1997 Toyota Corolla DX. When I turn on the left or right turn signal, the appropriate lights come on steady but do not flash. Also, when the emergency flashers are activated, all four corner lights come on steady but again do not flash. Obviously the bulbs are all good. Does this model use one flasher unit for both turn signal and emergency flashers? If so, where is it ... Read More

Toyota Corolla

• liufei

  Written by: tundradude on Nov 29, 2000 12:39:55 AM

  It is true that the Ford F-150 came out before the Tundra. 1997 before 2000. However, the T-100 came out in 1993. The present F-150 looks like the evolution of the T-100. If you go back to the car magazines of the day, you will see the authors saying the same thing. The Tacoma came out in 1995.5 and a year before the new F-150 and you could see the styling ... Read More

Toyota Corolla Maintenance and Repair

• I'm Sorry

  Written by: bjonesy on Dec 4, 1999 4:50:38 PM

  I apologize for going overboard. I am still upset about what is going on in my case with Toyota. They have admitted they have a problem, implied they are not sure they have found the solution, yet still don't care. They say they will fix the problem, (for the fifth time now), yet don't understand the concern I have for my children's safety. How many times should I give them to ... Read More

• I'm Sorry

  Written by: bjonesy on Dec 4, 1999 4:49:22 PM

  I apologize for going overboard. I am still upset about what is going on in my case with Toyota. They have admitted they have a problem, implied they are not sure they have found the solution, yet still don't care. They say they will fix the problem, (for the fifth time now), yet don't understand the concern I have for my children's safety. How many times should I give them to ... Read More

• Toyota Seat Belt Issues

  Written by: bjonesy on Nov 6, 1999 9:21:43 PM

  I have actually put this in other sections, but keep getting told to move it. I have a 1997 Corolla, Since I bought it, the rear passenger seat belt has locked up 4 times. The same seat belt. I have given Toyota 4 opportunities to fix it, yet it still isn't right. This means that my children's lives have basically been at risk since the day I owned the vehicle. I ... Read More