1991 Toyota Previa Problems

What owners report

Complaints about the 1991 Previa center on the windshield wiper system, which several owners describe as failing to stay synchronized — the arms collide, flip and stop — often at highway speed in heavy rain. A second cluster covers engine-related oil and coolant leaks, including gaskets and seals that drip onto hot exhaust parts. Many reports were filed on vehicles with well over 100,000 miles, so the sample reflects a long-lived van in used condition rather than new-vehicle problems.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Wipers collide, flip and stop working

   • 9 complaints (12%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 17.0 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2010

   Complaints describe the two windshield wiper arms losing synchronization so that they strike each other, flip over, scrape the glass and stop moving. Several say it happened in heavy rain at highway speed and required pulling over to reposition the arms by hand; one notes it was less frequent at lower speeds. Owners also report trouble getting the work done under the wiper campaign, with some told parts were unavailable and others that only one side was covered. A service bulletin recommends procedures for checking wiper performance during routine maintenance. Mostly reported on vehicles over 10 years old, often in heavy rain at highway speeds; recorded mileages in the sample include 100,000 and 326,000 miles.

   Recall 93V1130002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Run the wipers through their full cycle at speed and in simulated heavy water flow, watching whether the arms stay in step. Ask whether the wiper campaign 93V113000 work was ever completed on this van.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Recall 93v113000/ windshield wiper and washer. Dealer did not have parts to correct the recall. Owner has received a second recall notice. The dealer still does not have the parts.”

   NHTSA complaint #863265, filed 2000-06

   “Consumer received a manufacturer recall on the windshield wiper wasn't having problem until dealer fixed it can't find the recall there is investigation pe9316.”

   NHTSA complaint #976871, filed 1995-12
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal to the floor, noise and caliper trouble

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • median 200,000 mi at 14.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1998–2009

   Complaints describe the brake pedal going all the way to the floor along with grinding and crunching noises, and in one case calipers that failed with damage to the wheels; the dealer visit did not resolve it. Others report persistent squealing and scraping even after pads were replaced multiple times. A separate complaint describes unintended acceleration with the brake unable to stop the van, and one owner attributes a pedal overlap to foot size and pedal placement. Reported on used vans at a range of mileages; sample figures include 200,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check pedal feel for sponginess or travel to the floor, look at rotor condition and pad wear, and ask whether the calipers have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The brakes go completely to the floor. There is grinding and crunching noise. The brake calipers failed, and there was damage to the wheels. Took vehicle too dealer. However, the problem had not been resolved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10094266, filed 2004-09, 200,000 miles

   “Braking system squeaks whenever brakes are applyed. Brake pads have been replacde three times, and still brakes would squeak and make a scrapping sound. Manufacturer. Notified.”

   NHTSA complaint #829175, filed 1998-10
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Oil leaks onto hot exhaust parts

   Mentioned in 4 of 39 sampled complaints

   Owners describe oil seeping from the distributor O-ring and valve cover gaskets and dripping onto the exhaust manifold, with the smell of burning oil noticed before any repair. One owner reported the leak was repaired but noted seeing similar cases described elsewhere. Separate complaints describe a vehicle that stopped running and was found nearly out of coolant and oil, and another where a burning smell preceded a fire while driving. Reported on high-mileage vans, with sample mileages of 200,000 to 340,943 miles.

   What to check: Look for oil residue and dark staining on and around the exhaust manifold, and check the distributor area and valve cover for seepage. Ask when the valve cover gasket and distributor O-ring were last replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1991 Toyota Previa le. The distributor o-ring and valve cover gaskets were leaking oil, and they leak right onto the hot exhaust manifold. I repaired these problems, and all is well, however, I have since seen many instances in various forums online where this has happened to others, and has resulted in a major vehicle fire. I believe the word needs to be spread to other owners of this vehicle to check for this problem before it is too late. It is a serious problem, caused by the drying out and cracking of rubber seals. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10336325, filed 2010-06, 326,000 miles

   “On a return trip from ca. My Toyota Previa just stopped running. It would not start again so had to have it towed to las vegas nv. About 50 miles. In taking the van to my mechanic he said that it was totally out of water and almost out of oil .the first piston has no compresion the rest are below 100 puonds. The van gave no warning that it was out of water or even low on oil, also this van has extra oil up under the hood, and it has a pump that should have pumped oil into the engine, it did not it failed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #706428, filed 1999-05
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Sliding side doors fall off or won't latch

   • 8 complaints (11%)
   • median 177,000 mi at 14.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1996–2005

   Complaints describe the sliding passenger door coming off completely — one while backing out of a driveway, another while driving up a hill after rattling noises on that side. Others report the sliding door being extremely hard to shut and needing repeated slams before the latch catches, with a dealership unable to find the cause. One owner reported a door that could not be opened with the key or by hand from the inside. Reported on older, high-mileage vans; recorded mileages in the sample include 177,000 miles.

   What to check: Open and close the sliding door several times and watch the roller and latch alignment; check that it latches firmly from inside and outside and that the exterior and interior handles both work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While backing out of the driveway consumer's child opened the door to let the pet in and the door fell completely off. Manufacturer offered no assistance. The door is now tied on.”

   NHTSA complaint #10107247, filed 2005-01, 177,000 miles

   “Sliding door is extremely difficult to shut even with severe pressure. Sliding door must be slammed several times before door latch catches. Area dealership unable to detect cause of failure. Please describe details.”

   NHTSA complaint #813754, filed 1997-07

Buying note. On a van this old, condition and service history matter more than the model's reputation: test the wipers, sliding door and brakes carefully, and look for oil residue around the exhaust. Ask what maintenance has been done and whether the wiper recall work was completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 39 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.