Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I got in an accident going 60 MPH and the air bags did not deploy! If I would not have turned the wheel left when I did and hit the other vehicle dead on I would have been seriously injured due to the air bags not deploying.
The clock spring failed, three years ago and was repaired at consumer's expense. Manufacturer's recall did not include this vehicle.due to VIN. A month later, consumer received recall letter ,and was told to send a letter for reimbursement, even though the receipt was lost. Dealer lost the records, and the manufacturer purged the records and consumer could not be reimbursed.
While vehicle was at stop sign it was rear ended by another vehicle. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. After vehicle was repaired air bag light came on unexpectedly most of the time, and consumer was concerned.
Failure of dealer to fix recalled airbag clockspring recall #b24 issued on November 14th. Dealer refused to fix the recall because my van windows have chalk on them to tell the public the problems I have had with this vehicle.
The air bag light stayed on. As a result, the horn did not work. A recall for the clock spring was issued, however, this vehicle's year was not included. Consumer stated vehicle was unable to pass inspection.
The vehicles clock spring failed prior to recall notice. The consumer has requested reimbursement. The multi function switch also failed. The brake light illuminates on and off. The battery failed.
I have received a recall notice for a radiator fan relay, which is not mentioned on your site. Today, I found a new leak of transmission fluid, the red lights are again flashing on and off, there are power surges in the control panels, the engine chokes and shudders. Oh, and the A/C is out again. We won't even mention the windhield wipers which have continually gone on and off since we have owned this car, or the airbag alarms, or the incredible amount of money we have put into this maintained car. My 20,000 car has become a 40,000 lemon. There is simply no excuse for this, mileage or not. I have attempted to keep this car because I wanted a "safe" car for my teenagers to drive. Now, it appears I have them driving the pinto of the 1990's. I thought I was keeping my kids safe!! …
On Saturday, feb 10, 2001, while pulling into my driveway, the air bag readiness indicator lamp came on. Monday, feb 12, 2001 I called to make an appointment to bring my Plymouth Grand Voyager se 1996 in to palmen motors in kenosha, wisconsin. On Friday the 16th I brought the car in to have the problem diagnosed. I was told that the air bag module had failed and would need to be replaced at a cost of $1,008.30 + tax. I could not afford to make the repair at that time, but was told that the $73.85 I had paid for the diagnoses could be applied to te repair if I was to have the work done in 30 days. The following day Saturday feb 17th while driving on the expressway I concluded that my horn and cruise control also did not work. I was suspisious that the diagnoses was incorrect, because of the additional problems. I then went to the net to see if I could get some answers. …
This van was purchased off lease with 18000 miles and less than 1 year old. After 1 year the vehicle was out of warranty due to mileage (36000). The wipers would go on and off at will. The dealer replaced the battery for $100.00. The problem continued and eventually lights started to turn on in the interior of the vehicle on their own. The cruise control worked intermittantly. The air bag light came on intermittantly. The body control module was replaced. We didn't leave the dealership and the problem started again. The dealer ordered another body control module. It has been 3 and one half years and now the problems are starting again. The vehicle has stalled on several occassions. The horn does not work. The cruise control does not work. The air bag light is on continuously now. We do not have the $1000 dollars for replacement of the air bag. …
Consumer had front end problems since purchase, noise mostly. While driving 55 MPH there was a loud bang, vehicle began strut housing bracket that holds the stabiliser link broke off, causing it to cut into tire. No flat. Struts had been replaced twice prior to this . Stuts have been replaced a total of six times as well as front coil spring, also when gas tank was full it leaked onto the ground fuel tank was replaced, steering makes a noise when turning, suspension makes a lot of noise, wheel bearing msking a nosie,rack and pinion was replaced, vehicle pulls to right,swayar links were replaced,clock spring was replaced,when A/C is on the compressor engages loud sound,windshield falling apart,rotors were replaced,intermittenly wipers turn on by themselves, engine makes a sever noise,stabilizer bar broke.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
On certain Mini vans, the clockspring assembly May have been wound incorrectly during the vehicle assembly process.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the clockspring assembly on all vehicles with 70,000 miles or less. An extended lifetime warranty will also be placed on this component for all affected vehicles, regardless of mileage.
NHTSA investigations
Air bag clockspring
There is no summary currently available
Airbag complaints in other Grand Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager?
NHTSA has 90 complaints about the air bags of the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 16% of the model year's 569 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 02V-293 (frontal, Nov 7, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 130,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.