37 of the
280 complaints filed about the Toyota Previa
are about the braking system —
13% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1993.
1993 TOYOTA PREVIA. SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I TRIED TO STOP AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING. PARKING BRAKE WAS ALSO NOT OPERABLE. I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. PUTTING IT IN PARK OR REVERSE DID NOT STOP OR SLOW IT DOWN. I WENT DOWN GULLEY, ACROSS LAWNS AND PARKING LOTS AND DID CIRCLES IN PARKING LOT UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED (?RAN OUT OF GAS). TERRIFYING!! I NOTIFIED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY WERE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHY THERE WAS THIS DANGEROUS FAILURE AND I WAS INFORMED MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY REALLY DIDN'T CARE. OVERALL IT HAD BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE AND ALL SIX OF MY CHILDREN USED IT TO LEARN TO DRIVE. I WAS ABOUT TO GIVE IT TO MY YOUNGEST SON. THANK GOODNESS IT HAPPENED WITH ME AND NOT HIM. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA REALLY DIDN'T CARE THAT THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND THERE ARE STILL ALOT OF PREVIAS ON THE ROAD. IT HAD FAIRLY NEW BRAKES AND HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT WILL NOW BE SOLD FOR SCRAP.
NHTSA complaint #10351435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1993 TOYOTA PREVIA. SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE AT ABOUT 30 MPH. I TRIED TO STOP AND THERE WAS NO BRAKING. PARKING BRAKE WAS ALSO NOT OPERABLE. I TURNED THE KEY OFF AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN. PUTTING IT IN PARK OR REVERSE DID NOT STOP OR SLOW IT DOWN. I WENT DOWN GULLEY, ACROSS LAWNS AND PARKING LOTS AND DID CIRCLES IN PARKING LOT UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED (?RAN OUT OF GAS). TERRIFYING!! I NOTIFIED TOYOTA TO SEE IF THEY WERE INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT WHY THERE WAS THIS DANGEROUS FAILURE AND I WAS INFORMED MY CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY REALLY DIDN'T CARE. OVERALL IT HAD BEEN A GREAT VEHICLE AND ALL SIX OF MY CHILDREN USED IT TO LEARN TO DRIVE. I WAS ABOUT TO GIVE IT TO MY YOUNGEST SON. THANK GOODNESS IT HAPPENED WITH ME AND NOT HIM. I WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT TOYOTA REALLY DIDN'T CARE THAT THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURIES AND THERE ARE STILL ALOT OF PREVIAS ON THE ROAD. IT HAD FAIRLY NEW BRAKES AND HAD BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. IT WILL NOW BE SOLD FOR SCRAP.
NHTSA complaint #10351435 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS A FEW BLOCKS FROM WORK IN MY 1997 TOYOTA PREVIA WITH MY DAUGHTER. WE STARTED UP A STEEP HILL WHEN AT THE CREST MY VAN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED TO 50 MPH AND INCREASING. I STOOD ON THE BRAKE BUT IT HAD NO EFFECT AT ALL. THEN I TRIED TO SHIFT INTO PARK. I SUCCEEDED ONLY IN SHIFTING INTO REVERSE WHICH SENT US CAREENING BACKWARD FROM WHERE I HAD COME. THERE HAD BEEN ONLY ONE OTHER CAR ON THE STREET BECAUSE OF THE LATENESS OF THE HOUR AND IT WAS CLEAR THAT ON MY PRESENT COURSE, I WOULD HIT IT DEAD ON. I MOVED OVER ONTO THE CURB WHERE THERE WAS ABOUT A FOOT OF SNOW. EVEN SO, I RAKED HIS PASSENGER SIDE AND MY DRIVER'S SIDE. I MOVED FURTHER OVER ONTO THE YARDS, TOOK OUT A MAILBOX AND CHOSE TO GO UP A STEEP INCLINE WITH LOTS OF SNOW. THE SNOW SLOWED THE VAN DOWN, AND MY DAUGHTER STOOD UP AND FORCED THE SHIFT STICK INTO PARK. WE STOPPED. BEHIND US WERE DENSE TREES. IF WE HAD NOT STOPPED, WE WOULD SURELY HAVE BEEN KILLED. I HAD EXPERIENCED UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION PREVIOUSLY, BUT WAS ALWAYS ABLE TO BRAKE AND STOP. SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE I HAD ASKED THE TOYOTA SERVICE TO PLEASE FIX THIS DEFECT. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T TELL WHAT WAS WRONG IF ANYTHING AND COULD NOT FIX IT. THE INSURANCE "TOTALED" MY VAN WITHOUT EVEN HAVING THE CAUSES CHECKED.
NHTSA complaint #10318772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. UPDATED 1/4/10 *CN UPDATED 01/06/10.
NHTSA complaint #10294995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
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. UPDATED 1/4/10 *CN UPDATED 01/06/10.
NHTSA complaint #10294995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
1993 TOYOTA PREVIA SUSPENSION ISSUES. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE SUSPENSION HAS BEEN WORKED ON BUT THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST AND HAVE NOT BEEN RESOLVED. THEY WOULD LIKE TO USE AFTER MARKET PARTS AND WANTS TOYOTA TO REIMBURSE THEM FOR THE PARTS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRONT STRUTS, SPRINGS, REAR SHOCKS AND REAR SPRINGS HAVE ALL BEEN REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO BOTTOM OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE MOSTLY IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REAR ENGINE AND OIL SEAL WERE LEAKING .THE BRAKE LINES WERE ALSO REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10208287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10094266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
IN 4 MONTHS MY NEW CARS FRONT BRAKES WEARED OUT WITH 4500 MILES, WITH LOT OF FIGHTS WITH MY DEALERSHIP THEY FIXED IT FOR FREE AND I HAVE A COUSIN WHO HAS THE SAME CAR WITH SAME PROBLEM AND GLENDALE TOYOTA FIXED HIS FOR FREE TOO, GLENDALE TOYOTA TOLD MY COUSIN THAT THEY ARE GETTING LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CARS FRONT BRAKES GOING OUT TO SOON AND TOYOTA MOTOR CO. IS TRING TO KEEP IT QUIT SO YOU NHTSA DOES NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #754791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON 7/15/2001 I DROVE MY WIFE'S PREVIA AND NOTICED THAT IT SEEMED TO HAVE AN UNUSUAL AMOUNT OF DRAG WHILE GLIDING WHILE IN "DRIVE" AS IF THE BRAKES WERE SOMEHOW ON, ALTHOUGH NEITHER THE MAIN BRAKES NOR THE PARKING BRAKE WERE ON. ONE DAY LATER, MY TOYOTA DEALER TELLS ME THAT IT WAS A "STICKING PARKING BRAKE" AND THAT IT WOULD COST $490 (!!) TO FIX. A FEW CALLS TO OTHER MI TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS CONFIRMED THAT IT'S NOT AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM AT ALL. SINCE THE PARKING BRAKE DRUM AND SHOE UNIT IS SEPARATE FROM THE REAR DISC BRAKE ROTORS, BUT STILL ENCLOSED FROM THE WEATHER, I HAVE NO IDEA AS TO WHY THIS WOULD BE SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM. THE COST OF $490 IS ABOUT WHAT A FULL DEALER DONE BRAKE JOB WOULD COST IF NONE OF THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED. IT SEEMS TO ME, AND MANY OTHER CAR OWNERS WERE THEY ASKED, THAT BRAKES CAN WEAR OUT BUT FOR THE ENVIRONMENT TO CAUSE TERMINAL DETERIORATION IN SUCH AN IMPORTANT SYSTEM IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION. A HIGH VOLUME DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T EVER ALLOW THEIR MECHANICS TO TOUCH THE PARKING BRAKES BECAUSE "OF THE COMMON OCCURRENCE OF HAVING THOSE BRAKES SEIZE UP." HOW'S THAT FOR RELIABILITY? (OR IS IT PLAIN LIABILITY?) PLAESE NOTIFY ME IF ANY OTHERS HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM OR IF THEY HAVE MERELY PASSIVELY COUGHED UO THE $500 BUCKS AND 'GOTTEN ON WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #748580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING BRAKES WOULD MAKE SQUEAKING/SQUEALING NOISES. THE PROBLEM GETS LOUDER WHEN AIR CONDITIONER IS ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC INFORMED OWNER THE AUXILLIARY SHAFT NEEDED REPLACING.
NHTSA complaint #857997 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
A DAY OR TWO AFTER TRANSPORTING A FULL LOAD (SIX PASSENGERS PLUS DRIVER, NO LUGGAGE) AND PASSING OVER A SMALL BUMP ON THE ACCESS TO A BRIDGE ON A MAIN ROAD (PR-2) THE BRAKE FLUID STARTED COMING OUT THE CENTER METAL BRAKE LINES THAT ARE ATTACHED TO THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE,DRIVING VERY SLOWLY, STOPPING TO ADD BRAKE FLUID' TO A BRAKE SHOP WHERE A TEMPORARY REPAIR WAS DONE. NEW BRAKE LINES WERE ORDERED FROM THE US, AS THEY WERE NOT AVAILABLE LOCALLY.
NHTSA complaint #717956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING HAD TO APPLY THE ABS BRAKES AND VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. IT'S AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. BEEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. MECHANIC WILL TRY TO REPAIR ABS BRAKE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #849462 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MULTIPLE/REOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, ESPECIALLY FRONT BRAKES WHICH WEAR OUT EXCESSIVELY, SEVERAL REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS, HOWEVER PROBLEMS CONTINUE.
NHTSA complaint #544761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
MULTIPLE/REOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES, ESPECIALLY FRONT BRAKES WHICH WEAR OUT EXCESSIVELY, SEVERAL REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS, HOWEVER PROBLEMS CONTINUE.
NHTSA complaint #544761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BRAKING SYSTEM SQUEAKS WHENEVER BRAKES ARE APPLYED. BRAKE PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACDE THREE TIMES, AND STILL BRAKES WOULD SQUEAK AND MAKE A SCRAPPING SOUND. MANUFACTURER. NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #829175 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.