Toyota Previa Problems by Year
NHTSA has 54 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file for the Toyota Previa, across 5 model years (1995–2001). The 1995 model year has the most complaints (30). The most reported problem area overall is engine and engine cooling.

Toyota Previa years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Previa year: 1995. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 1995 Previa: 30 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1996 Previa: 11 complaints, 0 recalls
- 1997 Previa: 9 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Toyota Previa problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 | 3 | 4 |
| Air Bags | 8 | 1 | 6 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Tires | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Visibility | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Toyota Previa model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Previa | 3 | 0 | — | Seat Belts | |
| 1998 Previa | 1 | 0 | — | Visibility | |
| 1997 Previa | 9 | 1 | — | Engine and Engine Cooling | |
| 1996 Previa | 11 | 0 | — | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | More complaints than other years |
| 1995 Previa | 30 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Toyota: all Toyota models · Toyota VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Previa years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 1995 (30) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Previa year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Toyota Previa?
Engine and Engine Cooling, with 12 complaints across 2 model years.
How many recalls does the Toyota Previa have?
1 safety recall across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.