A Japanese automotive manufacturing company, Toyota is known around the world for its extensive lineup of reliable cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. However, Toyota has missed the mark on more than one occasion over the years. Here’s a look at the worst Toyota ever made. 

A look at some of the worst Toyota models of all time  

Toyota is known for selling reliable and sought-after cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs. Some of Toyota’s top-selling models today are the Camry, Corolla, Highlander, RAV4, and Tacoma. The Camry and Corolla are fuel-efficient cars, while the Highlander and RAV4 serve as more spacious fuel-efficient SUVs in the Toyota lineup. Of course, the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck is the ideal midsize pickup truck for consumers looking for a nice truck that puts performance and reliability first. 

Toyota has already sold over 1 million units in the U.S. market this year. Thus, it’s clear that Toyota is a top contender among American consumers. However, not all Toyota models have found themselves to be favorable in the U.S. markets over the years.

The 1990s and early aughts were particularly rough for Toyota, with the likes of the Paseo, Camry Solara, Echo, and Yaris. These four Toyota car models never found favor within the U.S. markets, which left Toyota heading back to the drawing board. 

There’s no Toyota worse than the Previa 

While the Paseo, Camry Solara, Echo, and Yaris were all definitely lackluster Toyota car models, the title of the worst Toyota ever made belongs to a different model entirely. The title winner of the worst Toyota car isn’t actually a car, but rather a minivan that desperately wanted to be a car. Yes, we’re talking about the Toyota Previa, which was sold in the United States from 1990 to 1997.

According to J.D. Power, in 1991, a new Toyota Previa model sold for a starting MSRP of just under $19K.  As Car and Driver put it, Toyota’s top goal with the Previa was to build “the sports car of minivans.” Sadly for Toyota, they thoroughly missed the mark on this build.

Aside from the fact of being a complete eyesore with a wickedly poor design, the Previa remains one of the most unreliable Toyota models ever made. 

Here’s why the Previa is the worst Toyota ever made 

It seems that many Previa models spent more time in the repair shop than they ever did on the roadway. However, that may have actually been a blessing for other drivers as it prevented them from having to look at the less than aesthetically pleasing van that could be likened to having a face for radio or maybe even one of those faces only a mother could love. Harsh? Yes. But seriously, Toyota, what were you thinking? 

Looking at the common repair problems of the Previa, there’s a long list. According to Repair Pal, some of the leading problems with Previa are failed emissions tests due to a blocked EGR system, the automatic transmission not shifting correctly at high mileage, and the van not cranking due to problems with the starter. Big yikes for the Previa. 

On top of all that, Car Complaints ranks the top three worst Toyota Previa problems as being sudden unintended acceleration, wiring harness meltdown, and simply not being able to accelerate. In addition, according to Car Complaints, the very worst Toyota Previa model year is 1995 due to very high repair costs that arise at very low mileage. 

To be fair, not all of these vans had dreadful mechanical issues. But the combination of questionable styling and persistent problems left us no choice but to crown this minivan as the worst model Toyota has ever made.