Most common 1996 Toyota Previa problems
Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Previa complaints by model year
Best Previa years: 1997, 1996. Years to avoid: 1995. Compare all years →
What 1996 Toyota Previa owners say
Brakes
Applied the brakes and there were no brakes, has ABS anti-lock brakes . Consumer was driving and all of a sudden a vehicle stopped in front of his car, consumer applied the brake and the brake did not respond at all, then consumer had to maneuver to avoid hitting other vehicle consumer continued to apply brake but no response dealer could not duplicate the problem, consumer hit a samll canal and now engine will not run water was in fuel c anister dealer replaced fuel canister and purged fuel tank..
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.
Speed control & acceleration
Was driving at 65mph when the van started increasing in speed for no reason,speed shot up to 100mph in a matter of seconds and two feet on the brake pedal could barely slow it down ,upon pulling the hand brake it did slow it down to around 40mph at which time my wife jumped out and the van went down into a ditch and was stopped by a chain link fence which it was still trying to go threw, she ran down to the van and shut the key off.
1996 Toyota Previa engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 16 / 20 / 17 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 19 / 17 |
EPA ratings. Class: Van.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1996 Toyota Previa a good car?
Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1996 Previa rates average: 24% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Previa at the same age. It is one of the best Previa years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Toyota Previa?
The brakes — 3 complaints, 27% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Next are the speed control & acceleration (3) and windows, wipers & sunroof (2).
How many recalls does the 1996 Toyota Previa have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 1996 Toyota Previa. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Previa?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1997 and 1996. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995. See the full Toyota Previa years comparison.
At what mileage do 1996 Toyota Previa problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 113,000 miles; 0% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.