Common problems for Previa, good to know...

"That said, northern climes with salt-treated roads in winter can be hard on
other things, like the body and A/C condenser. Body areas most commonly
affected seem to be behind the rear wheels, along the bottom of the rear
hatch door, and behind the LF wheel, under the driver's door hinges and the
antenna drain. You might want to check those areas, and also ask about the
A/C: If the condenser has been replaced, how did they do the job -
conversion to R134a? - changed drier? compressor? If not replaced yet, how
does it look, and how is the R12 pressure? [With so much glass, the R12 on
the original systems has some small advantage over R134a.]

At 160k the struts and mounts should have been replaced, but it's possible
that is yet to be done. You might ask - and if yes, when it happened.
Also, check what was replaced at the 120k service; should include
replaceable ignition system parts (plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor),
distributor o-ring, valve cover gasket and plug seals. [New cap and rotor at
160k sounds like they did not do the standard 120k service.] If all that
was done, then you should only need to replace (for the ignition system) the
plugs and wires between now and 240k." -John Kaufmann (Yahoo Previa Group)

"just like to put a post together of all the common prob with the
previas
SAD
door locks
turn signal(combo switch)
heat control
struts
stabilizer bar bushings
this is just a few off the top of my head if anyone can think of more
please post them" - Norm ((Yahoo Previa Group))

Center roller on sliding door

Steering column covers (especially the lower one)

EGR valve/modulator

distributor o-ring

Center cupholder latch mechanism breaking

Radio replacement

Disc brake re-builds

Instrument panel light bulb replacement

head gasket
 warped brake rotors
 oil reservoir

Heater fan motor
 Starter contacts
 Slider door hardware
 A/C (expansion valve)
 Cat
 4wdisc Brakes

Regardless of how long it lasts, the SAD problems are unique to
 Previa and Previa based vehicles.
 The starter problems tend to be entirely starter contacts on Toyotas;
 starter problems are not limited to the contacts on other makes.
 The door lock spring is specific to Previas, and some other Toyotas with
 similar mechanisms.
 Unlike most other cars, the Previa brake problems seem to be primarily
 warped rotors.
 The manifestations of the sliding door problems have an uncommon form.
 Head gasket is common to MANY overworked engines.
 Did Toyota use a bad design on the Previa cup holder? The 2x cup holder
 on my office computer has been working fine for 15 years.

Definitely unique to Previa. And, the brakes rotors can make you
 nuts. Mine are starting to vibrate a little again after only 15K on
 totally new parts....


RUST

"they generally rust in the rear 1/4's first,then the hatch,right under the window,seal,then finally the fenders and rocker panels and the panel under the sliding door,and the jacking supports in the front"
http://www.toyotavanpeople.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=5712

Leaks
Valve cover gaskets are a common issue with the Previa.


The EGR passageways get clogged up and the O2 sensors tend to fail.

 “I recently cleaned my 97's EGR passageway. It was completely blocked with carbon. After cleaning and also replacing the front O2 sensor, my CEL has stayed off and she runs so much smoother. Better gas mileage too.”

Ted Cobb: "Cool. I have mine running pretty darn smooth too, after taking off the throttle body and cleaning everything."

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Picture of Struts

"Make sure to check your coolant overflow tank for blockage at the hose connections. Those have been known to get clogged." - Ted Cobb