1991 Toyota Previa Owner Complaints

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. I DID, IN FACT, HAVE FLAMES WHEN I NOTICED IT, BUT I WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE BEFORE ANY DAMAGE WAS DONE. PLEASE SPREAD THE WORD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10336325

Incident

Apr 15, 2010

Mileage

326,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 TOYOTA PREVA. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH IN HEAVY RAIN, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HIT EACH OTHER, FLIPPED, SCRAP THE GLASS AND STOP FUNCTIONING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND FLIP THE WIPERS SO THAT THEY COULD WORK PROPERLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IF SHE DROVE SLOWER THAN 55 MPH, THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR AS OFTEN. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 93V113000 (VISIBILITY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER) AS ONE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED BUT ANOTHER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID

10330292

Incident

May 13, 2007

Mileage

100,000 mi

IN HEAVY RAIN AT 55MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HIT EACH OTHER, FLIP, SCRATCH THE GLASS AND STOP WORKING. TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE RECALL BUT WILL NOT PAY FOR THE PARTS OR THE SERVICE. THE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. THE PARTS ALONE ARE OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS. THE WIPER ASSEMBLY AND OR MOTOR ARE DEFECTIVE AND HAVE DONE THIS SEVERAL TIMES. THERE IS NO WAY TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. VISIBILITY IS REDUCED TO ZERO WHEN IT HAPPENS ON THE FREEWAY. IT IS DEADLY AND I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT TO DO TO GET TOYOTA TO HONOR THE RECALL. I HAD 3 KIDS IN THE CAR WHEN THE WIPERS TRIPPED AND FLIPPED ON THE FREEWAY. MY VISIBILITY WENT TO ZERO INSTANTLY. I SWERVED TO THE SIDE OF THE FREEWAY TO PULL OVER, FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO ONE BEHIND ME AT THAT MOMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10330228

Incident

Mar 25, 2008

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS AFTERMARKET RAYBESTOS, MANUFACTURED BY BRAKE PARTS INC., MODEL #MKD500(NA) FRONT BRAKE PADS. AFTER EXAMINING THE BRAKE PADS HE NOTICED THAT THE SQUEAL SHIMS WHERE CUTTING THROUGH THE ROTORS. UPDATED 1/4/10 *CN UPDATED 01/06/10.*JB

NHTSA ID

10294995

Incident

Dec 1, 2009

1991 TOYOTA PREVIA AND DRIVER NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. DRIVER PULLED OVER WHERE HIS VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AND WAS TOTALED. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-90-0947. *JB

NHTSA ID

10216117

Incident

Dec 18, 2007

SUBJECT ON SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT FOR HEAD GASKETS. SERVICE BULLETIN # 97121797017/ NHTSA ITEM # 54015, STATED THAT FAULTY HEAD GASKET WAS INVESTIGATED AND FOUND BAD ON 17 DEC. 1997. AS THE RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE HEAD GASKET I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THIS SPECIFIC PART. *JB

NHTSA ID

10162384

Incident

Apr 3, 2003

Mileage

340,943 mi

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.*AK

NHTSA ID

10107247

Incident

Dec 29, 2004

Mileage

177,000 mi

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. *AK

NHTSA ID

10094266

Incident

Sep 16, 2004

Mileage

200,000 mi

RUBBER COUPLING ON THE DRIVESHAFT WAS DEFECTIVE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT DRIVESHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10089897

Incident

Aug 26, 2004

Mileage

200,000 mi

DISCOLORED HEADLIGHT LENSES CAUSE THE LIGHTS TO BECOME VERY DIM. CAN'T SEE BECAUSE OF SUCH DIM LIGHTS.

NHTSA ID

10028342

Incident

Nov 20, 2000

REDUCTION IN LIGHT FROM HIGH AND LOW BEAM FRONT LIGHT BULB DUE TO DETERIORATION OF PLASTIC COVER (PITTING, DISCOLORATION, ETC) *JB

NHTSA ID

10010639

Incident

Mar 17, 2003

AFTER HAVING TREAD SEPARATION DIAGNOSED BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND MY AUTO MECHANIC TOOK THE VEHICLE WITH BRIDGSTONE BT 70 TIRES TO THE FIRESTONE STORE ON BOTH OCCASIONS TO BE CHECKED FOR TREAD SEPARATION. THE FIRST TIME FIRESTONE TOLD ME THERE NO TREAD SEPARATION IN ANY OF THE TIRES, BECAUSE OF MY CONCERN I REQUESTED AND RECEIVED CONFIRMATION IN WRITING. THE SECOND TIME AT THE FIRESTONE STORE ONE TIRE WAS REPLACED , AFTER DETECTING TREAD SEPARATION, THE OTHER THREE TIRES BEING TOLD WERE OKAY. EIGHT MONTHS LATER I EXPERIENCED TREAD SEPARATION OF ONE OF THE BRIDGESTONE BT70 TIRES WHILE TREVELING ON THE HIGHWAY, LUCKILY I HAD SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 45 MPH BECAUSE I DETECTED SOME UNUSUAL VIBRATIONS. I HAVE THE THREE TIRES AND PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE SEPARATED TIRES. I HAVE RECENTLY CONTACTED BRIDGESTONE/FIRESTONE TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID

766881

Incident

Jun 22, 2002

THIS IS VERY SCARY AND HAS HAPPENED A NUMBER OF TIMES. STEERING FAILS WHEN BRAKES APPLIED MAKING A RIGHT TURN. PANIC STEERING PRESURE, RESULTS IN SNAPPING NOISE AND STEERING RETURNS. DEALER SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

NHTSA ID

758276

Incident

Feb 6, 2002

WHILE STOPPED WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR IN GEAR, THE ENGINE BEGAN REVVING UP ON ITS OWN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED, BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

9005121

Incident

Oct 7, 2001

COMPLETE TIRE TREAD SEPARATION AT 65 MPH ACCIDENT BARELY AVOIDED. *AK (DOT NUMBER: R3B109 TIRESIZE: P205/70R14)

NHTSA ID

751876

Incident

Sep 3, 2001

TIRE BELT AND TREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE CARCASS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: VDVFDVA157 TIRESIZE: 215/65R15)

NHTSA ID

750867

Incident

Aug 19, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS ARE NOT SYNCHRONIZED WHEN WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE OPERATING. ARMS HIT EACH OTHER AND BECOME STUCK. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID

888949

THIS VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY EQUIPPED WITH P205/75R14 TIRES. THE DOOR PLACARD STATES THE VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE P215/65R15 TIRES ON IT. HOW CAN I DETERMINE IF THE CORRECT SIZE TIRES WERE PROPERLY INSTALLED ON MY PREVIA AFTER ALL THESE YEARS IF THE DOOR PLACARD NEVER MATCHED THE TIRE SIZE THAT CAME ON THE VEHICLE TO BEGIN WITH? I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT I NEVER GOT A REPLY. ONCE WHEN I WAS BUYING REPLACEMENT TIRES I HAD A DIFFICULT TIME CONVINCING THE TIRE DEALER THAT MY VAN ACTUALLY CAME WITH THE SMALLER TIRES ALREADY INSTALLED ON IT. HE DID NOT WANT TO SELL ME TIRES THAT WERE DIFFERENT THAN THE SIZR SHOWN ON THE DOOR PLACARD.THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. *AK

NHTSA ID

744713

IT'S FORTUNE THAT THE FIRE HAPPENED WHEN CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE. IF FIRE WERE HAPPEN DURING DRIVING, EXPLOSION COULD HAPPEN AND CAUSES FATAL INCIDENT. *AK

NHTSA ID

744539

Incident

Apr 24, 2001

FAILURE OF REAR WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO OPERATE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID

882864

Incident

Mar 1, 1999

BACK RADIO SPEAKERS WENT OUT. THEN, FRONT SPEAKER WENT OUT.CONSUMER FE IT WAS SAME PROBLEM AS RECALL 93 V 147 000 FOR RADIO EQUIPMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID

880612

Incident

Feb 15, 1996

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION AND THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVERS FRONTAL AIR BAG DURING COLLISION, ACCIDENT RESULTED IN INJURY TO THE DRIVER. *MJS

NHTSA ID

558358

WHILE DRIVING ON I-4 IN ORLANDO 12/7/00 AT 70 MPH TREAD SEPARATED FROM OUR RIGHT REAR TIRE. I WAS ABLE TO KEEP THE CAR UNDER CONTROL AND PULL INTO THE MEDIAN, BUT BY THEN THE SEPARATED TREAD HAD BEAT THE CAR UP. I AM FILING A DAMAGE CLAIM NEXT WEEK WITH FIRESTONE, AND YESTERDAY REPLACED ALL OF THE TIRES WITH GOODRICHES. THE FOUR YEAR OLD TIRE THAT FAILED HAD 52,00 MILES ON IT AND WAS WARRANTED FOR 60,000. THERE WAS NO UNUSUAL TREAD WEAR PATTERN. THE MANAGER OF THE FIRESTONE DEALERSHIP IN WINTER PARK, FL INSPECTED THE TIRE AND AGREED THE TREAD WAS IN GOOD CONDITION, AND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO HAVE FORSEEN THAT THE TIRE WOULD FAIL BEFORE THE WARRANTED MILEAGE OCCURRED. HE DECLINED TO REPLACE ANY OF MY TIRES FOR FREE, ONLY OFFERING A 13% PRO-RATA CREDIT TOWARDS A NEW PURCHASE. MY OFFICE # IS 407-237-4851. I WILL PROBABLY MAIL THE TIRE TO FIRESTONE ON 12/18/00 AFTER PHOTOGRAPHING IT.*AK (DOT NUMBER: EJREDJD154 TIRESIZE: 20575R14)

NHTSA ID

737713

Incident

Dec 7, 2000

DOOR DOESN'T OPEN WITH A KEY OR MANUALLY. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY DOOR WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO OPEN FROM THE INSIDE. CONSUMER WILL CONTACT DEALER.*AK

NHTSA ID

874755

Incident

Nov 6, 2000

VEHICLE WAS MAKING RATTLING NOISES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WAS DRIVING VEHICLE UP A HILL WHEN THE PASSENGER SLIDING DOOR FELL OFF. TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS.*AK

NHTSA ID

870209

Incident

Jul 17, 2000