Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
Affected component: body control module the BCM controls the following: wipers, fuel pump, vehicle power and much more. During a rainy day in oregon ciry oregon, the BCM failed. The car was moving into a parking lot at less than 20 MPH. In the parking lot was a police vehicle. When the BCM failed, the vehicle lost fuel pressure and therefore engine power then power braking, power steering and the wiper control went erradic. I managed to get the vehicle stopped, narrowly missing the police vehicle. I had no power brakes, no power steering, and the wipers stopped. The BCM was to blame. Had this occurred at highway speeds, I don't like to think what May have happened!!!
During normal late-morning operation in light rain, vehicle traveling on highway in a slight left turn. Vehicle reported to suddenly begin inertial pivot counterclockwise and began traveling sidewise in direction of travel. Vehicle crossed center line and struck farm tractor. Van was oriented perpendicular to direction of travel and struck with passenger side leading. Farm tractor was struck headon. Van driver was thrown sideways, suffering broken upper right arm and broken neck; dead on impact. Farmer suffered broken ribs. Location of accident: hw b417 between city of bad windsheim and village of illesheim, bavaria, Germany. Decedent was spouse of servicemember living in Germany on official orders.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager. The contact stated that he has experienced computerized antilock brake failure several times. He replaced the computerized antilock brakes three times. Recently, in December of 2007, the contact experienced the failure while driving 55 MPH on the highway. There was no braking power, but he was able to coast the vehicle off the road. The vehicle has not been repaired. The dealer estimated that the repair would cost $4,000. The current and failure mileages were 78,000.
Dealer replaced front rotors at 50,000 miles and again at 70,000 miles. The front brake rotors were pitted and the pads were down and the rear brakes were less than 200 miles. The front brake pads and both rotors were replaced, the drums were resurfaced the wheel cylinders were bad and were replaced per TSB, and both rear wheel cylinders was also replaced. There was a bad noise in the left front side and the loudest was in the front wheel bearing and the left front wheel bearing was replaced.
The van experienced brake failure while driving at 45 MPH. The brake pedal went to the floor when it was applied. When this occurred, the vehicle failed to stop immediately, which resulted in extended stopping distance. The brake failure was caused by the rear brake cylinder bursting and leaking fluid. Also there was a gas smell within the cabin of the vehicle when the heat was on. The dealership indicated it was due to a fuel leak within the engine compartment.
My transmission ,my starter, air con.,brakes, driver side window,belt, & pulley all have had to have work done on it but now I cant drive my van because of the transmission & I've only had my van since 03/21/2008.
Since purchase in 1996, the ABS failure light has repeatedly come on. There is almost always some type of "buzzing sound" when this occurs. There have been repeated repairs which were done under warranty and for which I paid. Each time, it was indicatedto me that there was some type of "yoke" around the steering column near the firewall which 'had to be replaced'. Now, when the vehicle is started, the buzzing and light event(s) occur instantly, with the ABS light staying on while the vehicle is in operation. I've been told 'not to worry' by the dealer since I still have brakes. Yes, I have conventional brakes remaining, but I also have a noticable decrease in braking ability, especially in 'short stop' conditions. The issue I have with the windshield wipers seems to go hand in hand with this ABS problem. The wipers just 'come on' on beautiful, sunny days. …
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.
This van has had many defects, the service tech. Said all the brake componets were going to be damaged and I had only hear the noise for two days. The shoes were damaging the drums and were attached to the drum, and they had to beat on them for at least a hour to get them off, the shoes were had the rivets missing on most of them. They were causing other brake conponets to come loose, this was way to early for back brake shoes to fail and damage all these parts. It could have caused me to have and accident.
Engine shuts down repeatedly when decelerating; loss of power steering, brakes; May or May not restart immediately. O2 sensor, battery, ignition cables, belt drive & tensioner, 60K service, 3 service visits: problem still occurs, but less often. Twice, nearly lost control as ps & pbs failed in a turn; engine shuts down particularly while decelerating or braking, as in turns and at traffic lights. Worse when ac was on. Sounds to me as if an ignition controller shuts down under low voltage ("brown-out") conditions.
Brake complaints in other Grand Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager?
NHTSA has 58 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 10% of the model year's 569 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 141,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury and 1 death to brakes 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.