1997 Toyota Previa
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 4 of 9 complaints (44%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Driver Assistance & Speed Control include more crash reports (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 11 in 1996 to 9 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | vs. 1997 Vans |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,450–3,650 | 3,650 | 3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–18 | 17 | 17 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–16 / 19–20 | 15–16 / 19–20 | 15–16 / 19–20 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 494–523 | 523 | 523 | |
| Complaints filed | 30 | 11 | 9 | |
| Recalls issued | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 7 | 2 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 5 | 5 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Toyota Previa have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Toyota Previa?
Engine: 4 of 9 NHTSA complaints (44%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Previa get?
EPA rates it 17 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Toyota Previa?
EPA estimates $3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Vans | 16 mpg (high) | 20 mpg (high) | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.4L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Vans | 15 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · Campaign 97V056000 · Apr 17, 1997
Defect: DUE TO A CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE OIL SEPARATOR PLATE AND THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING OF THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL UNIT, OIL LEAKAGE AT THE AIR BREATHER PLUG CAN OCCUR, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED CONTINUOUSLY ABOVE 75 MILES PER HOUR.
Consequence: OIL LEAKAGE WILL RESULT IN A SUFFICIENTLY LOW OIL SUPPLY TO CAUSE BEARING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL UNIT LEADING TO EVENTUAL SEIZURE OF THE UNIT INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED AIR BREATHER PLUG TO PREVENT SUCH OIL LOSS.