Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
Above are our major problems we recently had with our van. The most serious one that has to do with safety is the body work done to the left side strut tower due to rust - which also included the repair of the suspension. I reported this to daimlerchrysler under concern#11568602 asking them for financial assistance but they refused. We also had a transmission failure and air condion failure; howerver, these were fixed with no charge due warranty (below 100,000 miles), but the air conditioning failed again as noted above. Regarding other costs: these were for the front sway bar bushings and outer tie rod ends. I purhased this 1996 van in 11/12/1998 with an odometer reading of 53,841 miles.
While driving down the interstate doing about 70 MPH I heard a loud noise. Looked at speedometer and it registered 0. I had no power. Barely managed to get van off the road. Got out and looked under it, there was transmission fluid everywhere. Had it checked out by personal mechanic. He then told me that there have been numerous complaints about this year of Plymouth Grand voyagers. I only have 86,000 miles on it. Also the sliding door locks have failed, windshield washers have failed, A/C has failed, not to mention the airbag light, fuel line and all of the numerous other recalls it has had on it.
Consumer stated the same defect regarding liftgate recall 99 v 213 happened with his vehicle, however vehicle was not included because of the year. Ts consumer heard a loud noise as if something had hit the right rear tire, consumer discovered the liftgate support was dangling, the bolt attaching the support to the vehicle had broken off.
Sub frame of van has cracked causing severe vibration. All motor mounts failed. My 1990 had similar problem. Van is barley drivable and unsaleable. Throw in two complete ac systems, two multi-function switches(looks like #3 is linings up), a clockspring(recall) and top it off with horrible service. Loyalty should be a twp way street!! Ts
Transmission pump, is out now, speckled paint on hood and top, sides, back, vibration in front end steering, loud noises, creaks and makes lots of noises, back door on right side will not lock or unlock. I need help with all of these problems. The items repaired was by a friend mechanic.
Although we got our vehicle in June '96, we've had repeated electrical problems. The most serious were the dashboard lights failed several times, the electrical locks on the sliding doors failed several times, the windshield wipers failed seven times!!!, the radio was replaced, the water pump was replaced, the battery was replaced, the body module was replaced 20aug97, sliding doors had to be adjusted to open properly 07oct97 mileage 9502, power distribution center was replaced 11dec97 mileage 10360, had to hold turn signal stalk down to keep high beams on at night due to faulty muti-function switch on several occasions, heater hose had to be replaced 24feb99 mileage 18494.
Door lock failures: repeated failures required new mechanisms, also affected the fuel tank door. Transmission failure: occurred in parking lot fortunately. Required $2200 in repair. Dealer (hershberger motors in woodburn, or) failed to correctly seal the transmission. When returned to dealer for this, they broke the right bearing hub, another $400 to repair. Body control module failure: wipers stopped working - an absolute necessity in oregon! BCM repaired by sending out existing unit by dealer (town & country Chrysler, milwaukie, or). Did not correct problem ($450 repair costs). Presently in for correcitve action. Signed - unhappy customer.
The fuel pump failure (twice) is not only incovenient and expensive the 2nd time(not under warranty), but it also can be dangerous if it occurs at the wrong time, like during passing. The windshield wipers randomly turn-on is more annoying than dangerous. I do know a few more owners in central wisconsin that have the same problem. My sliding door electronic lock problem is a theft issue--the doors can't be locked when the locks malfunction-- and both sliding doors malfunctioned during the last year- again not under warranty.
Car leaks at drivers side during heavy rains. Delaer been unable to correct the problem. The carpet has been replaced. Car is now experiencing electrical defects as a result of a) the leak itself, or b) removing and reinstalling the dash on numerous occasions to try and find the leak. I am allso concerned about long term rust as a result of the continuing leaks. The car is not able to be sold now as a result of the leak and continuing problems.
Despite several dealership "fixes" gas tank shifts and thumps when accelerating or stopping sharply. All electric door locks had to be replaced due to electrical "vibration"-type noises when activating. Rear brakes have "hummed" when lightly braking since new. Problem evolved into surging. Needed a complete brake job at 40,000 miles due, I believe, to lack of dealership fix before hand.
Body complaints in other Grand Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the body & structure of the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 7% of the model year's 569 complaints. The component named most often is body › door (32 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager, though it has 9 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
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.