The Toyota Previa spans 1991–1998 with 9 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 1991, 1993, 1995 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 1998, 1997, 1996. It delivers up to 18 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Toyota Previa is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1991 to 1998 across multiple generations.
How to read a Toyota Previa VIN — every digit explained
Every Toyota Previa carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Toyota and the country it was built in (real Toyota codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Previa.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- JapanJT2 · JT3 · JT4 · JT5 · JT6 · JT8
- USA4T1 · 4T3 · 4T4 · 58A · 5TB · 5TD
- Canada2T1 · 2T2 · 2T3
- Mexico3TM · 3TY
- TurkeyNMT
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Previa, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Toyota Previa have?
The Toyota Previa has 9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1991–1998. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
1997 Toyota Previa recalls 1
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit
What's wrong. 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.
Risk. 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.
Fix. DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED AIR BREATHER PLUG TO PREVENT SUCH OIL LOSS.
1991 Toyota Previa recalls 2
Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer
What's wrong. 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.
Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
What's wrong. 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.
Best and worst years for the Toyota Previa
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 8 tracked years, the worst years are 1991, 1993, 1995 and the best (fewest complaints) are 1998, 1997, 1996.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 Previa | Visibility | Avoid | |
| 1992 Previa | Equipment | Average | |
| 1993 Previa | Service Brakes | Avoid | |
| 1994 Previa | Seat Belts | Average | |
| 1995 Previa | Air Bags | Avoid | |
| 1996 Previa | Service Brakes | Best | |
| 1997 Previa | Engine And Engine Cooling | Best | |
| 1998 Previa | Visibility | Best |
What are the most common Toyota Previa problems?
The most-reported Toyota Previa problems are Other (1 reports), Seats (7 reports) and Tires (22 reports) — out of 263 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Toyota Previa specifications & dimensions
The 1998 Toyota Previa. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Toyota Previa window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
How the Previa's size changed by generation:
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 187″ | 71″ | 69″ | 113″ | 3,620 lb |
| 1991–1992 | 187″ | 71″ | 69″ | 113″ | 3,466 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Toyota Previa cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Previa holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Toyota Previa tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Toyota Previa get?
The Toyota Previa returns up to 18 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $3,450/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 1997 Toyota Previa (2.4L 4-cyl) gets 17 mpg combined and costs about $3,650/yr to fuel, emitting 523 g/mi CO₂ — about $7,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 Previa | 16 | 20 | $3,650 | 523 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl | |
| 1996 Previa | 16 | 20 | $3,650 | 523 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl | |
| 1995 Previa | 16 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl | |
| 1994 Previa | 17 | 21 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl | |
| 1993 Previa | 16 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl | |
| 1992 Previa | 16 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl | |
| 1991 Previa | 16 | 20 | $3,450 | 494 | — | 2.4L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Previa stacks up against the most fuel-efficient minivans, or calculate this Previa's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Toyota Previa have? Power & range
The Toyota Previa is offered with 1 powertrain — 2.4L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 2.4L · 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | RWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Toyota Previa cost to own?
A Toyota Previa holds its value well. A typical example keeps roughly 56% of its value after five years — losing about 44% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 84% | $25,200 | −$4,800 |
| Year 2 | 76% | $22,800 | −$7,200 |
| Year 3 | 68% | $20,400 | −$9,600 |
| Year 4 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 5 | 56% | $16,800 | −$13,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Previa loses about 44% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $17,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Previa ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Toyota Previa safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the Previa yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a Toyota Previa last?
A well-maintained Toyota Previa typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Toyota Previa’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Previa’s VIN free →All Toyota Previa model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Toyota Previa — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 Previa | 1 recall | — | |
| 1997 Previa | 1 recall | — | |
| 1996 Previa | 1 recall | — | |
| 1995 Previa | 1 recall | — | |
| 1994 Previa | 1 recall | — | |
| 1993 Previa | 1 recall | — | |
| 1992 Previa | 1 recall | — | |
| 1991 Previa | 2 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Previa?
By owner-complaint volume, 1991, 1993, 1995 drew the most reports. 1998, 1997, 1996 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Previa have?
9 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1991–1998. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Previa get?
Up to 18 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a Previa last?
A well-maintained Previa typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Previa reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Previa is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Toyota Previa warranty?
New Toyota models carry a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 5 years / 60,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Toyota dealer.
Where is the Toyota Previa made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Previa's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Toyota may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Previa have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.