CarBrief

The 1996 Voyager/Grand Voyager has 1,325 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1]. It also has more complaints and more recalls than any other year from 1995 to 2000 in our comparison[2].

1,325owner complaints[1]
9recalls[2]
16–20MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 1,325 owner complaints for this van[1]. Of those, 46 mention a crash, 52 a fire and 45 injuries, and 2 deaths were reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The component groups with the most complaints:

Component group Complaints Fires Median miles at failure
Engine[4] 229 26 95,000
Air bags[5] 224 0 109,000
Electrical system[6] 213 16 79,255
Fuel system, gasoline[7] 193 6 131,000
Power train[8] 191 1 75,230

Brakes (120 complaints, 9 crashes)[9], visibility (129)[10] and speed control (85)[11] follow.

Fuel system. In the complaint texts we read, owners describe fuel leaking from the tank, filler neck or lines, often when filling up[7]. Other texts describe trouble getting recall parts or repairs done[7].

Air bags. In a sample of 12 air bag complaints, 5 say the air bags did not deploy in a collision and 5 mention a warning light that stays on or comes and goes[5]. The air bag group has 20 crashes and 17 injuries among its complaints[5].

Electrical system. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 6 describe the van stalling while driving[6]. Four describe wipers, dome lights or other accessories acting on their own[6].

Engine. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 5 describe a drive belt or pulley failing[4]. Four describe stalling that the dealer could not find[4]. The engine group also has 26 fires among its complaints[4].

The power train group has 191 complaints[8], but we did not have complaint texts for it, so we cannot say what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA lists nine recalls for this model year, newest first. Each remedy below is described as available in the recall record.

Recall records do not tell us whether a particular van had the work done. Ask an authorized dealer to check the VIN.

Fuel economy

EPA lists five versions for this van. All use regular fuel[3][21][22][23][24].

Version City / highway / combined MPG EPA annual fuel cost
2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, automatic 3-speed[3] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, automatic 4-speed[21] 16 / 23 / 19 $3,550
2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, automatic 3-speed[22] 17 / 23 / 19 $3,550
2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, automatic 4-speed[23] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700
4WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, automatic 4-speed[24] 14 / 20 / 16 $4,200

EPA annual cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the van was new.

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada via NHTSA, and they can differ slightly from US vans.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Voyager 3-door wagon, base/SE/LE[25] 186 in 76 in 69 in 113 in 3,527 lb
Grand Voyager 3-door wagon, base/SE/LE[26] 200 in 76 in 69 in 119 in 3,684 lb
Grand Voyager 3-door wagon, AWD SE/LE[27] 200 in 76 in 69 in 119 in 4,131 lb

How 1996 compares with other years

1995: 416 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 1,325 complaints, 9 recalls1,32519961997: 607 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 599 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 481 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 278 complaints, 2 recalls2000
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Voyager/Grand Voyager model year. The 1996 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19954161
19961,3259
19976076
19985995
19994814
20002782

Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide only. Here is what NHTSA has on file for this model:

Model year Complaints Recalls
1995[2] 416 1
1996[2] 1,325 9
1997[2] 607 6
1998[2] 599 5
1999[2] 481 4
2000[2] 278 2

1996 is the highest year for both complaints and recalls. 2000 has the fewest complaints (278) and 1995 has the fewest recalls (1)[2].

Should you buy a used 1996 Voyager?

This model year has the heaviest record in our data, with 1,325 complaints and nine recalls[1][2]. The complaints we read point to fuel leaks, stalling, belt failures and air bag warning lights[4][5][6][7]. Several recalls involve fire risk from fuel or oil leaks or from fueling sparks, so a seller's proof of recall work matters[13][14][17][18][19]. Combined fuel economy ratings run from 16 to 20 MPG depending on the version[3][24]. If you are considering one, have a mechanic check the fuel system, the belts and the air bag light, and ask a dealer which recalls were done on that VIN.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Plymouth Voyager?
Engine has the most complaints at 229, followed by air bags at 224 and the electrical system at 213[4][5][6]. In the samples we read, owners describe belt failures, stalling, air bag warning lights and fuel leaks.
How many recalls does the 1996 Plymouth Voyager have?
NHTSA lists nine recalls for this model year, covering fuel, engine, seat, child seat and air bag parts[2][12][20].
What is the gas mileage of a 1996 Plymouth Voyager?
EPA combined ratings run from 16 MPG for the 4WD 3.8L to 20 MPG for the 2WD 2.4L with a 3-speed automatic[24][3].
Is the 1996 Voyager the worst year for complaints?
Among 1995 to 2000, yes. It has 1,325 complaints and 9 recalls, more than any other year listed[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 1,325 owner complaints on file for the 1996 Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager (46 mention a crash, 52 a fire, 45 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 229 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 26 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 224 complaints name the air bags component group (20 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 109,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 213 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 16 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,255). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 193 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 6 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 131,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 191 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,230). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 120 complaints name the brakes component group (9 crashes, 1 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 120,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 129 complaints name the visibility component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 85 complaints name the speed control component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 02V293, filed November 7, 2002: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 00V268, filed September 13, 2000: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 99V216, filed August 9, 1999: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 98V185, filed August 6, 1998: Child Seat. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 96V136, filed July 18, 1996: Seat Belts › Integrated Child Seat. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 96V002, filed January 16, 1996: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe And Cap. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 96V006, filed January 11, 1996: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 95V236, filed December 8, 1995: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 95V225, filed November 28, 1995: Seats. NHTSA recall database
  21. EPA rating for Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. EPA rating for Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  23. EPA rating for Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  24. EPA rating for Voyager/Grand Voyager 4WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VOYAGER 3DR WAGON BASE/SE/LE: length 186 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,527 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND VOYAGER 3DR WAGON BASE/SE/LE: length 200 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 3,684 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND VOYAGER 3DR WAGON AWD SE/LE: length 200 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 119 in, curb weight 4,131 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.