1997 Toyota Previa: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Toyota Previa: 1 recall, 9 owner complaints and up to 17 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #97V056000 · 1997 · 707 vehicles
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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will install a modified air breather plug to prevent such oil loss.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Speed control / throttle (4): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Seat belts (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Other / unknown (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1997 Toyota Previa has 9 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 9 Previa model years for complaints (well below the 25 average). Complaints peaked in 2010 (3 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 130,750 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (11 complaints, 0 recalls), 1998 (1 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Toyota Previa.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Toyota Previa have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1997 Toyota Previa. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Toyota Previa problems?
Owners have filed 9 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (4), speed control / throttle (4), seat belts (1).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Previa get?
EPA ratings run up to 17 mpg combined (2.4 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Toyota Previa repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.