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1997 Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 607 owner complaints on file for the 1997 Voyager/Grand Voyager, led by air bags, power train and engine[1][2][3][4]. It also has six recalls, so a buyer should check that each repair was done[5].
Most reported problems
These are unverified reports sent to NHTSA by owners. One complaint can name several components, and counts are not adjusted for sales[1].
| Component group | Complaints | Fires |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags[2] | 111 | 0 |
| Power train[3] | 104 | 1 |
| Engine[4] | 104 | 15 |
| Electrical system[7] | 86 | 10 |
| Fuel system, gasoline[8] | 52 | 7 |
| Speed control[9] | 47 | 1 |
| Brakes[10] | 43 | 1 |
| Steering[11] | 39 | 1 |
Across all complaints, 30 mention a crash, 31 a fire and 33 injuries. Two deaths were reported[1].
In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe these themes:
- Air bags[2]. In a sample of 12, five describe an air bag warning light, and four of those also mention a dead horn or cruise control. Four describe air bags going off with no crash. Three describe air bags that did not go off in a crash.
- Power train[3]. In a sample of 12, six describe a transmission that failed or needed a rebuild. Four describe the van moving out of park, rolling, or the shifter moving without the brake pedal.
- Engine[4]. In a sample of 12, six describe stalling or the engine shutting off while driving.
- Electrical system[7]. In a sample of 13, three describe a vehicle fire.
A small sample cannot tell you how common any of these is. Median mileage at failure was 90,494 for air bags[2], 75,000 for power train[3] and 86,500 for engine[4].
Recalls
NHTSA lists six recalls for this model year[5]. Newest first:
- Air bag clockspring (02V293). The clockspring may have been assembled wrong. The air bag warning lamp comes on, and the driver's air bag could eventually stop working if the part is not replaced. Dealers replace the clockspring on vehicles with 70,000 miles or less[12], and a lifetime warranty covers the part. Owners who paid for a replacement are to be reimbursed[12].
- Rear seat belt trim (02V076). Trim can loosen and fall into a rear outboard seat belt, leaving it unable to work. In a crash the person in that seat may not be held properly. Dealers fit foam blockers and replace the third row belt assemblies[13].
- Fuel rail seals (00V268). Rubber O-ring seals on the fuel rails of vans with 3.3L and 3.8L engines[14] can wear out and leak fuel, which raises the chance of fire. Dealers install a seal on the fuel rails. A leaking van should go to a dealer as soon as possible[14].
- Child seat harness (98V185). On vans with integrated child seats, the shoulder harness can be hard to pull out when the latch plate gets dirty, making it hard to free a child. Dealers clean the latch, add an extender to the release anchor and provide a manual supplement card[15].
- Tire pressure loss (97V200). Certain Goodyear Conquest tires on steel wheels can lose air suddenly with no warning, which could cost the driver control. Dealers replace those tires[16].
- Damaged steel wheels (97V070). Steel wheels were scored during tire mounting, which hurts their durability. Only 60 units were involved[17]. Dealers replace the wheels and full size spare tires[17].
Ask for the repair record to confirm each one was done.
Fuel economy
EPA lists four versions of this van, all front-wheel drive on regular fuel:
| Engine and transmission | City / Highway / Combined | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd[6] | 18 / 23 / 20 | $3,350 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[18] | 16 / 23 / 19 | $3,550 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd[19] | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd[20] | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 |
The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ratings are not available for this model year[21][22]. Both the 3-door and 4-door listings show "not rated"[21][22].
Engine and size
Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications[23][24][25]..
| Variant | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voyager base/SE/LE[25] | 186 in | 76 in | 69 in | 113 in | 3,527 lb |
| Grand Voyager base/SE/LE[24] | 200 in | 76 in | 69 in | 119 in | 3,684 lb |
| Grand Voyager AWD SE/LE[23] | 200 in | 76 in | 69 in | 119 in | 4,131 lb |
The fuel economy listings above show engines of 2.4L, 3.0L and 3.3L[6][19][20].
How 1997 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 416 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1,325 | 9 |
| 1997 | 607 | 6 |
| 1998 | 599 | 5 |
| 1999 | 481 | 4 |
| 2000 | 278 | 2 |
NHTSA complaint and recall counts by model year[5]:
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 416 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1,325 | 9 |
| 1997 | 607 | 6 |
| 1998 | 599 | 5 |
| 1999 | 481 | 4 |
| 2000 | 278 | 2 |
1997 has the second most complaints and the second most recalls of the six years, behind 1996 on both[5]. It is close to 1998 on complaints (607 against 599)[5]. These counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold.
Should you buy a used 1997 Voyager?
This model year has a sizable complaint record, with 607 complaints and six recalls[5]. In the samples we read, owners describe air bag warning lights, transmission failures and stalling[2][3][4]. Fires are named in 15 engine and 10 electrical complaints[4][7]. Without a safety rating, there is no NHTSA crash score to weigh[21][22]. If you consider one, get proof that the recall repairs were done, especially the clockspring, rear seat belts and fuel rail seals[12][13][14], and have the transmission checked before buying.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems on a 1997 Plymouth Voyager?
- Air bags lead the complaint groups with 111, then power train and engine with 104 each[2][3][4].
- Does the 1997 Plymouth Voyager have recalls?
- NHTSA lists six recalls, covering the air bag clockspring, rear seat belts, fuel rail seals, child seats, tires and wheels[12][13][14][15][16][17].
- What is the gas mileage of a 1997 Plymouth Voyager?
- EPA lists 18 to 20 combined MPG across four versions[6][18][19][20]. The best is 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined[6].
- How does 1997 compare with other Voyager years?
- It has the second most complaints (607) and recalls (6), behind 1996 with 1,325 and 9[5].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 607 owner complaints on file for the 1997 Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager (30 mention a crash, 31 a fire, 33 injuries, 2 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 111 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 14 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,494). NHTSA vehicle records
- 104 complaints name the power train component group (6 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 104 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 15 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 86 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 10 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 52 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 7 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 47 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 43 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
- 39 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 114,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 02V293, filed November 7, 2002: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 02V076, filed March 8, 2002: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 00V268, filed September 13, 2000: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 98V185, filed August 6, 1998: Child Seat. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 97V200, filed November 13, 1997: Tires › Bead. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 97V070, filed April 28, 1997: Wheels › Rim . NHTSA recall database
- 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
- EPA rating for Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 3-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 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
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 3 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND VOYAGER 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
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, GRAND VOYAGER 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
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VOYAGER 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