CarBrief

Owners filed 481 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Voyager and Grand Voyager, and air bags is the biggest group[1][2]. Four recalls apply, including one for the air bag clockspring[3][4].

481owner complaints[1]
4recalls[3]
18–20MPG combined (EPA)[5]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 481 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 32 mention a crash, 13 a fire and 29 injuries[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Component group Complaints
Air bags[2] 117
Power train[6] 90
Engine[7] 82
Electrical system[8] 76
Brakes[9] 42
Steering[10] 41
Speed control[11] 32
Suspension[12] 32

Air bags. The median mileage at failure is 72,005, and the group includes 12 crashes and 12 injuries[2]. In a sample of 12 complaints we read, owners in 5 describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[2]. Owners in another 4 describe a warning light that stays on or flickers, and some name the clockspring[2]. The clockspring is also the subject of a recall, covered below.

Power train. The median mileage is 68,000, with 7 crashes and 10 injuries[6]. In a sample of 12 complaints, owners in 5 say the van could be shifted out of park without pressing the brake, in some cases by a child[6]. Owners in another 5 describe sudden shifting, slipping or lock-up while driving, and some mention a gear sensor[6].

Engine. The median mileage is 78,111, and this group has the most fires, 7, along with 2 crashes[7]. In a sample of 12 complaints, owners in 4 describe a serpentine belt that slips or comes off, and some say it cost them power steering[7]. Two describe an engine compartment fire, 2 an engine that shut off while driving and 2 a head gasket or oil leak[7].

Electrical system. The median mileage is 67,000[8]. In a sample of 12 complaints, owners in 3 describe power cutting out or interior lights and door locks acting on their own[8]. Owners in 3 mention horn problems, and one says it works only on some days[8].

Brakes, steering, speed control and suspension have smaller counts[9][10][11][12]. We did not read complaint samples for them, so we say nothing about what owners describe.

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year, newest first.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists four gasoline engines for the 2WD Voyager and Grand Voyager[5][16][17][18]. All use regular gas and front-wheel drive.

Engine City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.4L 4-cyl, 3-speed automatic[5] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
3.0L 6-cyl, 4-speed automatic[16] 17 / 24 / 19 $3,550
3.3L 6-cyl, 4-speed automatic[17][19] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700
3.8L 6-cyl, 4-speed automatic[18] 15 / 22 / 18 $3,700

The annual cost uses the EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the van was new. The gap between the best and worst engine is 2 MPG combined[5][18].

Safety ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings list this model year as not rated[20]. That means there is no star score to compare with other vans.

Engine and size

The EPA data lists 2.4L, 3.0L, 3.3L and 3.8L engines[5][16][17][18]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US vans.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Voyager base/SE/LE[21] 186 in 76 in 69 in 113 in 3,686 lb
Grand Voyager base/SE/LE[22] 200 in 76 in 69 in 119 in 3,851 lb
Grand Voyager AWD SE/LE[23] 200 in 76 in 69 in 119 in 4,200 lb

How 1999 compares with other years

1995: 416 complaints, 1 recalls19951996: 1,325 complaints, 9 recalls19961997: 607 complaints, 6 recalls19971998: 599 complaints, 5 recalls19981999: 481 complaints, 4 recalls48119992000: 278 complaints, 2 recalls2000
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Voyager/Grand Voyager model year. The 1999 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19954161
19961,3259
19976076
19985995
19994814
20002782

NHTSA counts for each Voyager and Grand Voyager model year[3]:

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

The 1999 model year has the fourth most complaints of the six years, and 1996 has by far the most. It also has the fourth most recalls. The counts are not adjusted for how many vans were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 1999 Voyager?

The 1999 Voyager sits in the middle of its years for complaints and recalls[3]. The recurring owner themes are air bag problems, shifting out of park without the brake, and a slipping serpentine belt, based on small samples[2][6][7]. Ask whether the clockspring, seat belt and fuel rail recall work was done[4][13][14]. Expect 19 to 20 MPG combined on the 2.4L and 3.0L and 18 on the larger engines, and know that the model has no NHTSA star rating[5][16][17][18][20]. A vehicle history report and a pre-purchase inspection will tell you more than complaint counts can.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Plymouth Voyager?
Air bags (117 complaints), power train (90), engine (82) and electrical system (76) are the largest complaint groups on file with NHTSA[2][6][7][8].
Does the 1999 Plymouth Voyager have any recalls?
Yes, four: air bag clockspring (04V480), rear seat belts (02V076), fuel rail seals (00V268) and fleet headlamp labeling (99V116)[4][13][14][15].
What gas mileage does a 1999 Plymouth Voyager get?
The EPA rates the 2.4L at 18 city, 24 highway and 20 combined MPG[5]. The 3.8L is rated 15 city, 22 highway and 18 combined[5][18].
Is the 1999 Plymouth Voyager a good year?
It had 481 complaints and 4 recalls, fourth highest of six model years on both counts[3].
How safe is the 1999 Plymouth Voyager?
NHTSA lists it as not rated in its 5-Star Safety Ratings[20].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 481 owner complaints on file for the 1999 Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager (32 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 29 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 117 complaints name the air bags component group (12 crashes, 0 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,005). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Plymouth Voyager/Grand Voyager model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 04V480, filed October 6, 2004: Air Bags. NHTSA recall database
  5. 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
  6. 90 complaints name the power train component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 68,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 82 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,111). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 76 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 42 complaints name the brakes component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,650). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 41 complaints name the steering component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 115,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 32 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 32 complaints name the suspension component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 98,020). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 02V076, filed March 8, 2002: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 00V268, filed September 13, 2000: Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 99V116, filed May 6, 1999: Exterior Lighting › Headlights. NHTSA recall database
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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
  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. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: not rated. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, VOYAGER BASE/SE/LE: length 186 in, width 76 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 113 in, curb weight 3,686 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. 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 3,851 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. 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.