Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Toyota Previa, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility | 22 | 25% |
| Structure | 8 | 9% |
| Equipment | 8 | 9% |
| Tires | 6 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 5 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 6% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 5% |
| Steering | 4 | 5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 M
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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 TH
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
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
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
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. UPDAT
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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 complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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 HE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
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 complaint: Structure
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 complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 Toyota Previa. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
FAILURE OF A SPECIFIC ELECTRONIC COMPONENT IN THE RADIOS CAUSES AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT.
Risk: IF THE FAILURE OCCURS, IT COULD RESULT IN A PASSENGERCOMPARTMENT FIRE.
Fix: REPAIR THE RADIO.
CERTAIN WINDSHIELD WIPER COMPONENTS ARE SUBJECT TO PREMATURE FAILURE DUE TO INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH TO FUNCTION UNDER HIGH LOAD LEVELS.
Risk: THE WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL AND CEASEOPERATION ENTIRELY, RESULTING IN REDUCED DRIVER VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER.
Fix: INSTALL NEW WIPER MOTORS, CERTAIN WIPER ARM COMPONENTS, AND RETORQUE THE WIPER ARM PIVOT.
| Reliability raw | 84 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 85 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 85 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other minivans & vans in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 87 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and visibility is the most reported area with 22 of them (25%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 84/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 85/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 75/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.