One problem related to starter has been reported for the 1997 Toyota Corolla. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
My daughter went out in the morning to start her 1997 Toyota Corolla and it was very noisy, she tried to turn car off and it would not stop. The engine kept running and the starter was stuck in the starter position. She pulled the fuse for the ignition and the engine stopped but the starter was still in a high whine and was trying to start the car. (obviously stuck) it was getting very hot and smelling. Smoke started to come out of engine and she was about to try to unhook the battery cable when the starter quit. She was extremely lucky there was no fire, it was very close to that. She had no previous indications on starter problems before that. The car is in the shop. Starter is being replaced, battery cables and a new wiring harness due to the fact everything got too hot and melted. (over $1000).