The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
Dealers will install a modified air breather plug to prevent such oil loss.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 97V-056 (97V056000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Corporation |
| Component | Power train › Driveline › Differential unit |
| Report date | April 4, 1997 |
| Owners notified | April 30, 1997 |
| Vehicles affected | 707 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 97V-056 repair free?
Yes. Toyota dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Dealers will install a modified air breather plug to prevent such oil loss.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 707 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.