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Toyota PreviaModel year report

1997 Toyota Previa Problems

Complaints
9filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
130,750miles, 4 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 2.4L 4-cyl RWD · 16 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 1997 Toyota Previa (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1997 Toyota Previa. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 4 complaints (44% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control (4) and brakes (1). 4 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 130,750 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 29 technical service bulletins for this model year. Vehicle speed control complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “My Toyota Previa had a incident with a stuck accelerator. I was eventually able to control and stop vehicle with maximum foot brake pressure to the point of grinding brakes and turning ignition off when away from other traffic on highway. I believe this incident with the stuck accelerator and red-lining of RPM's LED to a blown head gasket that was not physically repairable by recommendation of authorized Toyota repairman.”

NHTSA complaint #10314810, filed 2010-02, 121,500 miles

Vehicle speed control: “I was a few blocks from work in my 1997 Toyota Previa with my daughter. We started up a steep hill when at the crest my van suddenly accelerated to 50 MPH and increasing. I stood on the brake but it had no effect at all. Then I tried to shift into park. I succeeded only in shifting into reverse which sent us careening backward from where I had come. There had been only one other car on the street because of the lateness of the hour and it was clear that on my present course, I would hit it dead on. I moved over onto the curb where there was about a foot of snow. …”

NHTSA complaint #10318772, filed 2010-03, 200,000 miles

Fuel system: “In process of contacting Toyota. This is a problem with other owners as well. Within 3 years of manufacturing tank failed at seam(s), and this would appeared to be a common defect. At 212.00 plus tax to replace, I would gladly appreciatte any response from you.”

NHTSA complaint #747228, filed 2001-06

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 4 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 121,500 and 140,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–500%50–750%75–10075%100–15025%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (4 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 130,750 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

199920002001200420103
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1997 Toyota Previa. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Previa · 3 DR not rated4 / 3———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 1997 Toyota Previa version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Previa RWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic162017$3,950
Previa All-Trac 4WD/AWD2.4L 4-cyl4-speed automatic151917$3,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 1997 Toyota Previa → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 29 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 29 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Previa

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
19979130,7501—17—Not enough data
199611113,0900—17—Not enough data
199530149,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199419136,5000—18—Stable
199341234,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199235100,0000—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable
199174200,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Toyota Previa model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 1997 Toyota Previa have?

NHTSA recorded 9 consumer complaints for the 1997 Toyota Previa as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 1997 Toyota Previa is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 4 complaints (44% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 4.

Has the 1997 Toyota Previa been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Toyota Previa get?

The EPA rates the 1997 Toyota Previa (Previa, 2.4L 4-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 16 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 1997 Toyota Previa reported?

Among the 4 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 130,750 miles and the middle half falls between 121,500 and 140,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.