CarBrief

NHTSA has 599 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Voyager and Grand Voyager[1]. The car also has 5 recalls[2], and each one lists a remedy[3][4][5][6][7].

599owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
18–20MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 599 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Of those, 31 mention a crash[1], 32 a fire[1] and 31 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Engine[9] 146 81,000
Air bags[10] 102 95,500
Power train[11] 97 73,000
Electrical system[12] 95 88,862
Brakes[13] 55 97,000
Suspension[14] 37 92,356
Structure[15] 33 99,000
Steering[16] 29 121,000

These counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold.

Engine. In the sample of complaint texts we read, owners describe the accessory belt coming off, fraying or snapping, sometimes with a sudden loss of power steering. Two texts describe oil leaks, one of them blamed on head gaskets[9]. The engine group also lists 18 fires[9].

Air bags. In the sample we read, owners describe the air bag warning light staying on or coming on and off[10]. Some say the bags did not deploy in a crash, and a couple say they deployed when there was no real impact. This group lists 13 crashes and 18 injuries[10]. The two clockspring recalls below relate to the same warning light[3][4].

Power train. In the sample we read, owners describe transmission failures and rebuilds, some at around 40,000 miles[11]. A few say a dealer did not cover the cost[11].

Electrical system. In the sample we read, owners describe the air bag light alongside other faults, stalling with no warning, and no-start problems where the starter or battery was replaced[12]. The group lists 6 fires and 6 injuries[12].

Brakes, suspension, structure and steering have fewer complaints[13][14][15][16].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this van[2], newest first. Each one lists a remedy[3][4][5][6][7].

Fuel economy

All EPA ratings listed here are for front-wheel drive, regular gas and automatic transmissions.

Engine City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl, 3-speed[8] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
3.0L 6-cyl, 3-speed[17] 17 / 22 / 19 $3,550
3.0L 6-cyl, 4-speed[18] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550
3.3L 6-cyl, 4-speed[19][20] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700
3.8L 6-cyl, 4-speed[21] 15 / 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 lists this van as not rated in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[22][23]. That means there is no crash test score to compare. That means there is no crash test score to compare.

Engine and size

The EPA lists 2.4L four-cylinder, 3.0L, 3.3L and 3.8L six-cylinder engines[8][17][19][21]. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US vans.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Voyager base/SE/LE[24] 186 in 76 in 69 in 113 in 3,530 lb
Grand Voyager base/SE/LE[25] 200 in 76 in 69 in 119 in 3,858 lb
Grand Voyager AWD SE/LE[26] 200 in 76 in 69 in 119 in 4,200 lb

Lengths, widths, heights and wheelbases come from[26][25][24].

How 1998 compares with other years

1995: 416 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 1,325 complaints, 9 recalls19961997: 607 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 599 complaints, 5 recalls59919981999: 481 complaints, 4 recalls19992000: 278 complaints, 2 recalls2000
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Voyager/Grand Voyager model year. The 1998 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19954161
19961,3259
19976076
19985995
19994814
20002782

NHTSA counts for each model year of the Voyager/Grand Voyager[2]:

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

1998 has the third highest complaint count and the third highest recall count of the six years. It sits well below 1996 and just under 1997.

Should you buy a used 1998 Voyager?

This is a van with a long complaint record, and the sampled complaints point to belts, air bag warning lights and transmissions[9][10][11]. Check the recall pages for the clockspring and fuel rail work, since each recall lists a remedy[3][4][6]. Ask for records of belt and transmission service. There are no NHTSA star ratings to lean on[22][23]. Fuel use is 18 to 20 MPG combined depending on engine[8][17][19][21], and whether the van suits you depends on its price and service history.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1998 Plymouth Voyager?
Engine is the largest complaint group at 146 complaints, followed by air bags at 102 and power train at 97[9][10][11]. In the sample we read, owners describe belt failures, air bag warning lights and transmission failures.
Does the 1998 Plymouth Voyager have recalls?
Yes, 5 recalls cover clockspring failure, rear seat belt trim, fuel rail seals and child seat harness routing[3][4][5][6][7]. Each lists a remedy.
What MPG does a 1998 Plymouth Voyager get?
EPA combined ratings are 20 MPG for the 2.4L and 19 or 18 for the larger engines[8][17][19][21].
Is the 1998 Voyager a better year than 1996?
By NHTSA counts, 1998 has 599 complaints against 1,325 for 1996[2]. Those counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 599 owner complaints on file for the 1998 Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager (31 mention a crash, 32 a fire, 31 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. Recall 04V480, filed October 6, 2004: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 02V293, filed November 7, 2002: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 02V076, filed March 8, 2002: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 00V268, filed September 13, 2000: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 97V231, filed December 15, 1997: Child Seat. NHTSA recall database
  8. 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
  9. 146 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 18 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 81,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 102 complaints name the air bags component group (13 crashes, 0 fires, 18 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 97 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 73,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 95 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 6 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 88,862). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 55 complaints name the brakes component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 97,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 37 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 92,356). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 33 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 99,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. 29 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 121,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  17. 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
  18. EPA rating for Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD, 3.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 24 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. EPA rating for Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VOYAGER BASE/SE/LE: length 186 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,530 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. 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 3,858 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. 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 4,200 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.