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Research · Vans

1996 Toyota PreviaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 15 owner complaints for the 1996 Toyota Previa. Most complaints involve vehicle speed control (3) and service brakes, hydraulic (3). The EPA rates it 17 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
17mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
15
Top: vehicle speed control
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 1996 Toyota Previa as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

15 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 1996 – Jan 2011
  1. Vehicle speed control3
  2. Service brakes, hydraulic3
  3. Seat belts2
  4. Visibility2
  5. Exterior lighting1
  6. Electrical system1
  7. Structure1
  8. Equipment1
  9. Latches/locks/linkages1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Previa model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
199615
199712
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
5
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Vehicle speed control

3 reports2 crashes
“NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOV EVEHICLE. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 7, 2001Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 746563

Service brakes, hydraulic

3 reports
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE ON HIGHWAY OR FLAT SURFACE ROADS ABOUT 30 MPH AND UP, WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, IS HARD TO STOP AND FEELS A BIG VIBRATION LIKE A KICK BACK. *AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 1997Service brakes, hydraulicODI 815176

Seat belts

2 reports
“SEAT BELT BUCKLES MAKE NOISE. QCAW”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 1998Seat beltsODI 605235
All 1996 Previa problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Vans
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Previa
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
162017$3,800523
Previa All-Trac
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
  • Previa
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Sup Charg
    16 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Previa All-Trac
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Sup Charg
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Toyota Previa as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 3563
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Previa questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota Previa have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 28, 2026.

What are the most common 1996 Toyota Previa problems?

Owners filed 15 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are vehicle speed control (3), service brakes, hydraulic (3), seat belts (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Toyota Previa get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Toyota Previa at 17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026