1997 Toyota Previa Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

1997 Toyota Previa recalls

Most common 1997 Toyota Previa problems

Problem areas named in the 9 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem area	Reports
Engine And Engine Cooling	5
Vehicle Speed Control	4
Seat Belts	1
Unknown Or Other	1
Fuel System, Gasoline	1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic	1

What owners report

2010-06-29, Vehicle Speed Control
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA PREVIA. THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. SHE PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND PROCEEDED TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE AND WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER OR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

2010-03-10, Vehicle Speed Control
I WAS A FEW BLOCKS FROM WORK IN MY 1997 TOYOTA PREVIA WITH MY DAUGHTER. WE STARTED UP A STEEP HILL WHEN AT THE CREST MY VAN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 50 MPH AND INCREASING. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE BUT IT HAD NO EFFECT AT ALL. THEN I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO PARK. I SUCCEEDED ONLY IN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE WHICH SENT US CAREENING BACKWARD FROM WHERE I HAD COME. THERE HAD BEEN ONLY ONE OTHER CAR ON THE STREET BECAUSE OF THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR AND IT WAS CLEAR THAT ON MY PRESENT COURSE, I WOULD HIT IT DEAD ON. I MOVED OVER ONTO THE CURB WHERE THERE WAS ABOUT A FOOT OF SNOW. EVEN SO, I RAKED HIS PASSENGER SIDE AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE. I MOVED FURTHER OVER ONTO THE YARDS, TOOK OUT A MAILBOX AND CHOS

2010-02-27, Vehicle Speed Control
MY TOYOTA PREVIA HAD A INCIDENT WITH A STUCK ACCELERATOR. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO CONTROL AND STOP VEHICLE WITH MAXIMUM FOOT BRAKE PRESSURE TO THE POINT OF GRINDING BRAKES AND TURNING IGNITION OFF WHEN AWAY FROM OTHER TRAFFIC ON HIGHWAY. I BELIEVE THIS INCIDENT WITH THE STUCK ACCELERATOR AND RED-LINING OF RPM'S LED TO A BLOWN HEAD GASKET THAT WAS NOT PHYSICALLY REPAIRABLE BY RECOMMENDATION OF AUTHORIZED TOYOTA REPAIRMAN. *TR

2004-01-09, Engine And Engine Cooling
ON OCT 2002, OIL IN THE ENGINE SLUDGED CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. THE MECHANICS WERE ABLE TO REPAIR THE ENGINE TO PARTIAL WORKING ORDER. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE LEAKED EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL AND THE POWER OF THE ENGINE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED. ON 8 JAN 2004, THE ENGINE OIL LIGHT INDICATED A LOW OIL PRESSURE. AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION BY THE MECHANIC, THE ENGINE OIL APPEARED TO HAVE SLUDGED AGAIN CAUSING DAMAGE TO ENGINE. THE ENGINE WAS CONSIDERED TO BE TOTALED. WE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE SLUDGE PROBLEM WAS COMMON WITH VARIOUS TOYOTA VEHICLES. HOWEVER, TOYOTA REFUSED TO ADMIT ANY WRONG DOING. WE ALSO DISCUSSED THE ENGINE SLUDGE

2001-06-26, Fuel System, Gasoline
IN PROCESS OF CONTACTING TOYOTA. THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS AS WELL. WITHIN 3 YEARS OF MANUFACTURING TANK FAILED AT SEAM(S), AND THIS WOULD APPEARED TO BE A COMMON DEFECT. AT 212.00 PLUS TAX TO REPLACE, I WOULD GLADLY APPRECIATTE ANY RESPONSE FROM YOU. *AK

1997 Toyota Previa questions

Does the 1997 Toyota Previa have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for the 1997 Toyota Previa: Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Toyota Previa?

Based on 9 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (5), Vehicle Speed Control (4), Seat Belts (1).

How do I check if a recall on my 1997 Toyota Previa has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.