Electrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- REPAIR THE RADIO.
Model year record
1991 Toyota Previa recalls & problems
The 1991 Toyota Previa has 2 safety recalls and 74 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is visibility (22 complaints).
Recalls2safety recalls
Complaints74filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 7reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Windshield wiper/washer
- Problem
- 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.
- Fix
- INSTALL NEW WIPER MOTORS, CERTAIN WIPER ARM COMPONENTS, AND RETORQUE THE WIPER ARM PIVOT.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1991 Toyota Previa
OverallNot Rated
| Frontal crash | Not Rated |
|---|---|
| Side crash | Not Rated |
| Rollover | Not Rated |
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Previa
18mpg combined
| City / highway | 16 / 20 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Previa
18mpg combined
| City / highway | 17 / 20 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Previa All-Trac
17mpg combined
| City / highway | 15 / 20 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Previa All-Trac
17mpg combined
| City / highway | 16 / 20 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages | 22 | — |
| EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Appliance › Air conditioner | 8 | — |
| StructureBody › Door; Body › Door › Hinge and attachments | 8 | — |
| Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline | 8 | 326,000 mi |
| Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Disc › Pads; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor | 7 | — |
| TiresTread/belt | 6 | — |
| Electrical systemIgnition › Module; Wiring | 5 | — |
| Exterior lightingHeadlights; Headlights › High/low beam dimmer switch | 5 | — |
| Power trainDriveline › Driveshaft; Driveline › Differential unit | 4 | — |
| SteeringHydraulic power assist system; Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm | 4 | — |
| Vehicle speed controlCables | 3 | — |
| SeatsFront assembly › Recliner; Front assembly › Head restraint | 3 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine and engine cooling › EngineFire
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
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…
- Visibility
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…
- Service brakes, hydraulic
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
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
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
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
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
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
NHTSA defect investigations
- UNDER DASH FIRESClosedLed to recall 93V147000
There is no summary currently available
- WINDSHIELD WIPER MTR FAILSClosedLed to recall 93V113000
There is no summary currently available