Model year guide

1996 Toyota Previa

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Toyota Previa is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 9 on record.

1996 Toyota Previa — representative photo
Representative photo

1996 Toyota Previa at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints20
Combined17 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

1996 Toyota Previa recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 1996 Toyota Previa.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

1996 Toyota Previa common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Equipment
Test all accessories — sunroof, climate, seats, electronics — for proper operation.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.

1996 Toyota Previa safety ratings

Frontal crash★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 1996 Toyota Previa. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

1996 Toyota Previa MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City16 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,950
EPA size classVans
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd
Forced inductionSupercharged
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$7,750 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 1996 Toyota Previa costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,750
Fuel only$19,750
Per mile$0.26

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
187.0 in
Width
70.9 in
Height
70.1–70.5 in
Wheelbase
113.0 in
Curb weight
3,759–4,035 lb
Front track
61.8 in
Rear track
61.4 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 1996 Toyota Previa — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 43

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 43.

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the crit…

Bulletin TSB003220 · Air Bags, Vehicle Speed Control, Equipment · Aug 2023

POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept near the point of vehicle sale and be available to any customer that requests it.…

Bulletin Toyota PRO19-02 · Tires, Wheels, Equipment · Jan 2022

TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2021 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the crit…

Bulletin T-SB-0032-20 Rev · Equipment · Feb 2021

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE April 07, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0032-20. Replacement Certification Labels and VIN Plates

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17 Obs · Equipment · Apr 2020

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, PG006-01, PG004-97, T-SB-0144-08, and T-SB-0304-17. The aforementioned bulleti…

Bulletin T-SB-0032-20 · Equipment · Apr 2020

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Bulletin PG004-97-Obsolet · Equipment · Aug 2018

Technical Service Bulletin: OBSOLETE NOTICE: July 31, 2018: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Bulletin PG006-01-Obsolet · Equipment · Aug 2018

TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 31, 2018 Rev2: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. January 11, 2018 Rev1: ? The Supersession Notice has been updated. Any previous printed versions of this bulletin should be discarded. SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information cont…

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17_Rev · Equipment · Jul 2018

TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-91, PG002-93, PG005-97, PG007-01, PG007-07, and T-SB-0144-08. Service Bulletin Nos. PG021-88, PG015-89, PG0015-90, PG002-9…

Bulletin T-SB-0304-17_Rev · Equipment · Jan 2018

TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE November 21, 2017: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0304-17.

Bulletin T-SB-0144-08_Obs · Equipment · Nov 2017

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PREVIA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Toyota Previa

The Toyota Previa, also known as the Toyota Estima in Japan, and Toyota Tarago in Australia, is a minivan that was produced by Toyota from 1990 until October 2019 across three generations. The Previa was the second largest minivan in Toyota's lineup in Japan after the bigger and more luxurious Alphard/Vellfire.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

1996 Toyota Previa vehicles on record

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Other Toyota Previa model years

2016 2015 2014 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990

1996 Toyota Previa — frequently asked questions

Does the 1996 Toyota Previa have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 1996 Toyota Previa. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Toyota Previa?

Across all 20 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are hydraulic, service brakes, vehicle speed control.

What is the 1996 Toyota Previa safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 1996 Toyota Previa crash-test ratings of frontal 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 1996 Toyota Previa get?

The 1996 Toyota Previa has a U.S. EPA estimate of 17 mpg combined (16 city / 20 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.