1991 Toyota Previa

Routine

Owners filed 74 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility › windshield wiper/washer. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer7
001
Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.6
030
Structure › Body › Door4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine4
010
Tires › Tread/Belt3
000
Tires3
000
Exterior Lighting › Headlights3
100
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Linkages2
000
Vehicle Speed Control2
000
Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and Attachments2
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Electrical › Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.93V147000
Filed Sep 13, 1993155,809 vehiclesToyota Motor Co., Ltd.

Defect. FAILURE OF A SPECIFIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN THE RADIOS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT.

Risk. IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT FIRE.

Remedy. REPAIR THE RADIO.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer93V113000
Filed Jul 7, 199375,863 vehiclesToyota Motor Co., Ltd.

Defect. CERTAIN WINDSHIELD WIPER COMPONENTS ARE SUBJECT TO PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH TO FUNCTION UNDER HIGH LOAD LEVELS.

Risk. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL AND CEASEOPERATION ENTIRELY, RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.

Remedy. INSTALL NEW WIPER MOTORS, CERTAIN WIPER ARM COMPONENTS, AND RETORQUE THE WIPER ARM PIVOT.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Jun 14, 2010326,000 milesNY

I HAVE A 1991 TOYOTA PREVIA LE. THE DISTRIBUTOR O-RING AND VALVE COVER GASKETS WERE LEAKING OIL, AND THEY LEAK RIGHT ONTO THE HOT EXHAUST MANIFOLD. I REPAIRED THESE PROBLEMS, AND ALL IS WELL, HOWEVER, I HAVE SINCE SEEN MANY INSTANCES IN VARIOUS FORUMS ONLINE WHERE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS, AND HAS RESULTED IN A MAJOR VEHICLE FIRE. I BELIEVE THE WORD NEEDS TO BE SPREAD TO OTHER OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE TO CHECK FOR THIS PROBLEM BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM, CAUSED BY THE DRYING OUT AND CRACKING OF RUBBER SEALS. I DID, IN FACT, HAVE FLAMES WHEN I NOTICED IT, BUT I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE ANY DAMAGE WAS DONE. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. *TR

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed May 13, 2010100,000 milesWA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PREVA. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN HEAVY RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HIT EACH OTHER, FLIPPED, SCRAP THE GLASS AND STOP FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FLIP THE WIPERS SO THAT THEY COULD WORK PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF SHE DROVE SLOWER THAN 55 MPH, THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR AS OFTEN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 93V113000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) AS ONE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED BUT ANOTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

Visibility
Filed May 12, 2010100,000 milesWA

IN HEAVY RAIN AT 55MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HIT EACH OTHER, FLIP, SCRATCH THE GLASS AND STOP WORKING. TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECALL BUT WILL NOT PAY FOR THE PARTS OR THE SERVICE. THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE PARTS ALONE ARE OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE WIPER ASSEMBLY AND OR MOTOR ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. VISIBILITY IS REDUCED TO ZERO WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY. IT IS DEADLY AND I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET TOYOTA TO HONOR THE RECALL. I HAD 3 KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THE WIPERS TRIPPED AND FLIPPED ON THE FREEWAY. MY VISIBILITY WENT TO ZERO INSTANTLY. I SWERVED TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY TO PULL OVER, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME AT THAT MOMENT. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Dec 8, 2009CA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS AFTERMARKET RAYBESTOS, MANUFACTURED BY BRAKE PARTS INC., MODEL #MKD500(NA) FRONT BRAKE PADS. AFTER EXAMINING THE BRAKE PADS HE NOTICED THAT THE SQUEAL SHIMS WHERE CUTTING THROUGH THE ROTORS. UPDATED 1/4/10 *CN UPDATED 01/06/10.*JB

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jan 22, 2008MI

1991 TOYOTA PREVIA AND DRIVER NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. DRIVER PULLED OVER WHERE HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-90-0947. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 14, 2006340,943 milesTX

SUBJECT ON SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT FOR HEAD GASKETS. SERVICE BULLETIN # 97121797017/ NHTSA ITEM # 54015, STATED THAT FAULTY HEAD GASKET WAS INVESTIGATED AND FOUND BAD ON 17 DEC. 1997. AS THE RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THIS SPECIFIC PART. *JB

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Jan 12, 2005177,000 milesOK

WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY CONSUMER'S CHILD OPENED THE DOOR TO LET THE PET IN AND THE DOOR FELL COMPLETELY OFF. MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE DOOR IS NOW TIED ON.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper
Filed Sep 24, 2004200,000 milesFL

THE BRAKES GO COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR. THERE IS GRINDING AND CRUNCHING NOISE. THE BRAKE CALIPERS FAILED, AND THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE WHEELS. TOOK VEHICLE TOO DEALER. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Aug 27, 2004200,000 milesCA

RUBBER COUPLING ON THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

Exterior Lighting › HeadlightsCrash
Filed Jul 15, 2003UT

DISCOLORED HEADLIGHT LENSES CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO BECOME VERY DIM. CAN'T SEE BECAUSE OF SUCH DIM LIGHTS.

Exterior Lighting › Headlights › Concealment Devices
Filed Mar 17, 2003CO

REDUCTION IN LIGHT FROM HIGH AND LOW BEAM FRONT LIGHT BULB DUE TO DETERIORATION OF PLASTIC COVER (PITTING, DISCOLORATION, ETC) *JB

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 9, 2002TX

AFTER HAVING TREAD SEPARATION DIAGNOSED BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND MY AUTO MECHANIC TOOK THE VEHICLE WITH BRIDGSTONE BT 70 TIRES TO THE FIRESTONE STORE ON BOTH OCCASIONS TO BE CHECKED FOR TREAD SEPARATION. THE FIRST TIME FIRESTONE TOLD ME THERE NO TREAD SEPARATION IN ANY OF THE TIRES, BECAUSE OF MY CONCERN I REQUESTED AND RECEIVED CONFIRMATION IN WRITING. THE SECOND TIME AT THE FIRESTONE STORE ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED , AFTER DETECTING TREAD SEPARATION, THE OTHER THREE TIRES BEING TOLD WERE OKAY. EIGHT MONTHS LATER I EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION OF ONE OF THE BRIDGESTONE BT70 TIRES WHILE TREVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, LUCKILY I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 45 MPH BECAUSE I DETECTED SOME UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS. I HAVE THE THREE TIRES AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SEPARATED TIRES. I HAVE RECENTLY CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT. *AK

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System
Filed Feb 15, 2002CA

THIS IS VERY SCARY AND HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES. STEERING FAILS WHEN BRAKES APPLIED MAKING A RIGHT TURN. PANIC STEERING PRESURE, RESULTS IN SNAPPING NOISE AND STEERING RETURNS. DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 17, 2002CA

WHILE STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IN GEAR, THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING UP ON ITS OWN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

Tires › Tread/Belt
Filed Sep 7, 2001KS

COMPLETE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION AT 65 MPH ACCIDENT BARELY AVOIDED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: R3B109 TIRESIZE: P205/70R14)

Tires
Filed Aug 21, 2001FL

TIRE BELT AND TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE CARCASS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDVFDVA157 TIRESIZE: 215/65R15)

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer
Filed May 23, 2001NY

WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS ARE NOT SYNCHRONIZED WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE OPERATING. ARMS HIT EACH OTHER AND BECOME STUCK. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

Tires
Filed Apr 29, 2001MD

THIS VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH P205/75R14 TIRES. THE DOOR PLACARD STATES THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE P215/65R15 TIRES ON IT. HOW CAN I DETERMINE IF THE CORRECT SIZE TIRES WERE PROPERLY INSTALLED ON MY PREVIA AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IF THE DOOR PLACARD NEVER MATCHED THE TIRE SIZE THAT CAME ON THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN WITH? I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT I NEVER GOT A REPLY. ONCE WHEN I WAS BUYING REPLACEMENT TIRES I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME CONVINCING THE TIRE DEALER THAT MY VAN ACTUALLY CAME WITH THE SMALLER TIRES ALREADY INSTALLED ON IT. HE DID NOT WANT TO SELL ME TIRES THAT WERE DIFFERENT THAN THE SIZR SHOWN ON THE DOOR PLACARD.THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *AK

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Apr 25, 2001MA

IT'S FORTUNE THAT THE FIRE HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. IF FIRE WERE HAPPEN DURING DRIVING, EXPLOSION COULD HAPPEN AND CAUSES FATAL INCIDENT. *AK

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer
Filed Mar 13, 2001WA

FAILURE OF REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO OPERATE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

20 of 74 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1991
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20013000Routine
19981000Routine
19979100Routine
199611010Routine
199530000Routine
199419020Routine
199341060Routine
199235020Routine
1991 — this page74270Routine

Compare every Previa year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Sep 13, 1993. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.