The 1997 Toyota Previa has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 707 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the vehicle speed control. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
POWER TRAIN97V0560001997-04-04707 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A MODIFIED AIR BREATHER PLUG TO PREVENT SUCH OIL LOSS.
Complaints by component
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
4
2crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
1
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1
1crashes
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 toyota previa. The contact was attempting to park the vehicle. She placed the vehicle in park and proceeded to shut off the engine, when the vehicle abnormally accelerated and crashed into a building. The contact was not injured. The vehicle sustained extensive damage…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“On oct 2002, oil in the engine sludged causing catastrophic damage to the engine. The mechanics were able to repair the engine to partial working order. However, the engine leaked excessive amounts of oil and the power of the engine was significantly reduced. On 8 jan 2004, the engine oil light…”
“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. *ak”
“Consumer was traveling 65mph up hill and vehicle lost all power at shoulder of road. Vehicle was smoking slightly. Then, vehicle overheated , and engine lights came on. Vehicle wouldn't turn off. Coolant exploded all over engine. Mehcanic said the vehicle would be completely inoperative until…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1997 Toyota Previa as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.