1991 TOYOTA PREVIA Recalls, Complaints & Safety

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

Fire

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

Fire

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.

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

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

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

Fire

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

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

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

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

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

Crash

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

Fire

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

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

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

Crash 1 injured

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)

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

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

RECALL 93V113000/ WINDSHIELD WIPER AND WASHER. DEALER DID NOT HAVE PARTS TO CORRECT THE RECALL. OWNER HAS RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL NOTICE. *AK THE DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS. *YH

WINDSHIELD WIPERS GET STUCK, DON'T WORK PROPERLY. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *AK

DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED- DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE WHOLE DOOR. *AK

THE SLIDING DOOR OPENS WHILE DRIVING & WAS REPLACED TWICE TO CORRECT FAILURE. PROBLEM STILL EXIST. *YC

RUBBER COUPLING ON DRIVESHAFT LOCATED IN THE FRONT AND BACK OF DRIVESHAFT CRACKED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE PLAY,AND LOUD RATTLING NOISE. 2. THE PLASTIC ON THE FLOAT SENSOR HAS SWELLING, ALLOWING THE OIL IN THE PAN TO GET STUCK. *AK

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. ALSO THE WRANING GAUGE DID NOT INDICATE THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERHEATING. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME RICH IN VEGAS. *AK

HEADLIGHT PLASTIC LENS HAS FADED, CAUSING THE LIGHT NOT TO ILLUMINATE THROUGH. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED A SCREW MOLDED INT0 THE WINDOW WAS BROKEN ON REAR WINDOW SIDE, BEHIND DRIVER. BELIEVED THIS CONDITION CAN RESULT IN THE WINDOW COLLAPSING IF ENOUGH WIND PRESSURE IS APPLIED. CONSUMER BELIEVED THIS WAS A SAFETY FACTOR AND WANTED ON RECORD/ DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

WHILE OPENING THE SLIDING DOOR THE DOOR COMPLETELY FEEL OFF THE HINGES. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

ALL TOYOTA EQUIPMENT DRIVE SHAFTS HAVE DESIGN DEFECTS ON PREVIA VANS-IF SHAFT IS NOT REPLACED OFTEN- COULD THROW METAL INTO CAB. USUALLY VIBRATION IS SO BAD, OWNER REPLACES SHAFT BEFORE HARM. THE RUBBER SPACERS THAT HOLD THIS SHAFT TOGETHER CANNOT HOLD TOGETHER BECAUSE OF STRESS OF POWER STEERING, AC COMPRESSOR, ALTERNATER AND FAN. THIS LIKELY PLAYED APART INTO THIS VEHICLE DISCONTINUATION. TWO DEALERS TELL ME THIS IS A PROBLEM AND THEY STAY BUSY REPLACING THIS. BUT MANUFACTURER SAYS THEY KNOW OF NO PROBLEMS.

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE CONSTANTLY BURNING OUT SOMETIMES WHILE DRIVING. BULBS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 7 TIMES ON DRIVER,S SIDE. *AK

TWO BOLTS ON ACCESSORY DRIVESHAFT ARE CRACKED.

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. *AK

WINDSHIELD WIPER PIVOT FAILED PRIOR TO/AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.

MISSING THE HEAD RESTRAINTS ON BACK BENCH SEAT.

LEFT FRONT SPINDLE ARM BROKE.

RIGHT FRONT END FAILED. TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER DISCOVERED THAT A PART HAS BEEN INSTALLED BEFORE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT THAT WAS THE WRONG SIZE AND A REPLACEMENT FROM A JUNK YARD.

RADIO CAUGHT FIRE DESTROYING VEHICLE, RECALL ON RADIO PRIOR TO INCIDENT, HOWEVER CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE A NOTICE.

Fire

CAR LOSES SPEED WHILE GOING UP HILL EVEN THOUGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS FLOORED DUE TO COMPUTER FAILURE.

WOINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE DANGLING.