Toyota Previa recalls

5 official safety recalls for the Toyota Previa from NHTSA (United States), DVSA (United Kingdom) and the EU Safety Gate, newest first. Recall repairs are normally free at the maker’s dealers.

Whether your car is affected and still needs the repair depends on its VIN or registration. Check it on the official site for your country:

  1. Detachable tow ball may crack or fracture

    Reported October 26, 2012Model years 2000–2005DVSA recall R/2012/1026,307 vehicles affected

    Under severe mechanical stress, the detachable towing ball may crack and could fracture or fail. Dealers will replace the towing ball and housing at no cost to owners.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    TOW BALL MAY FRACTURE
    Defect
    On Toyota Avensis Previa and Lexus GS fitted with a Toyota or Lexus genuine or Brink branded (only on Avensis) detachable towing hitch the possibility exists that the detachable towing ball in some exceptional cases (under severe mechanical stress) might develop a crack. In a worst case the detachable towing ball might fracture and/or fail.
    Remedy
    Lexus/Toyota dealers will replace the detachable towing ball and housing at no cost to vehicle owners.

  2. Front differential may lose oil

    Reported April 4, 1997Model years 1997NHTSA campaign 97V056000707 vehicles affected

    When driven continuously above 75 miles per hour, oil can leak from the front differential breather. Low oil may damage the bearings and eventually seize the differential, increasing crash risk. Dealers will install a modified air breather plug to prevent oil loss.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT
    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.
    Notes
    OWNER NOTIFICATION:OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN LATE-APRIL 1997. NOTE:OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.

  3. Wiper motor or arm may fail

    Reported October 29, 1993Model years 1990–1991DVSA recall R/1993/0642,506 vehicles affected

    The windscreen wiper motor or passenger-side wiper arm may fail under extreme operating conditions, causing loss of wiper action. Both will be replaced with modified components.

    Official DVSA recall text
    Component
    POSSIBLE LOSS OF WINDSCREEN WIPER ACTION.
    Defect
    The windscreen wiper motor and passenger side wiper arm may be of insufficient strength and could fail under extreme operating conditions with loss of wiper action.
    Remedy
    Recall the affected vehicles for replacement of the wiper motor and passenger side wiper arm with modified components.

  4. Radio component may short and cause a fire

    Reported September 13, 1993Model years 1991NHTSA campaign 93V147000155,809 vehicles affected

    Failure of an electronic component in the radio can cause a short circuit and a passenger-compartment fire. Repair the radio.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
    Defect
    FAILURE OF A SPECIFIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN THE RADIOS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
    Consequence
    IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT FIRE.
    Remedy
    REPAIR THE RADIO.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: EQUIPMENT: CAR RADIO.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS AND MINIVANS WITH FUJITSU TEN RADIOS.

  5. Windshield wiper components may fail

    Reported July 7, 1993Model years 1991NHTSA campaign 93V11300075,863 vehicles affected

    Some wiper components may fail under high loads, causing the wipers to stop and reducing driver visibility in bad weather. New wiper motors and certain wiper arm components will be installed, and the wiper arm pivot will be retorqued.

    Official NHTSA recall text
    Component
    VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
    Defect
    CERTAIN WINDSHIELD WIPER COMPONENTS ARE SUBJECT TO PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH TO FUNCTION UNDER HIGH LOAD LEVELS.
    Consequence
    THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL AND CEASEOPERATION ENTIRELY, RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.
    Remedy
    INSTALL NEW WIPER MOTORS, CERTAIN WIPER ARM COMPONENTS, AND RETORQUE THE WIPER ARM PIVOT.
    Notes
    SYSTEM: VISUAL SYSTEMS; WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHER.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE MINI VANS.

Sources: NHTSA (US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), DVSA (UK Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) and the EU Safety Gate (European Commission) recall data. Each recall covers vehicles sold in that market; models sold elsewhere may differ.

Back to the Toyota Previa