Known Recalls

Model year record

1997 Toyota Previa

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 13 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V056000

Power train: driveline: differential unit

Component
Power train: driveline: differential unit
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR CO., LTD.
Vehicles affected
707
Reported to NHTSA
1997-04-04
Owners notified
1997-04-30

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED AIR BREATHER PLUG TO PREVENT SUCH OIL LOSS.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Vehicle speed control4140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1121,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1116,226 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1200,000 mi
Unknown or other1—

The 1996 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1998 model has 13 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.