Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Vehicle caught on fire while parked in a parking lot. Upon exiting the vehicle consumer noticed smoke, then flames coming from the engine compartment. Fire department was called, and they extinguished the fire. The fire inspector indicated that the fire May have been caused by an oil leak, but they were not sure. Vehicle was totaled.
Upon driving at highway speeds of 70-80 MPH, my van lost power suddenly. I was unable to steer because the engine cut off. It was a rapid speed decrease, I watched the tachometer drop in speed. I was in the fast lane and at a dead stop. A few minutes later I was able to restart the van and pull to the left shoulder of the freeway. I took it to a Chrysler dealer and they pulled 2 codes from the van's onboard computer. However, they tell me that they cannot pinpoint the problem without it occurring again. The same thing happen 3 years ago, again I was on a road trip traveling 70-80 MPH in hot weather and the van lost power. Upon reaching my destination, I took the van to a Chrysler dealership, which at that time, could not pull any codes. After leaving the van for a week, I drove it back home. The van stopped twice, home is 400 miles from my destination. …
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.
Over a year and 1/2, had multiple (at least 10) incidents of vehicle stalling while slowing down, at turns or traffic lights. Resulted in loss of power steering, brakes, and temporary loss of control onto next lane; luckily, no accidents. Multiple trips to Plymouth dealership, all inspections and costly empirical repairs are fruitless, until ais (automatic idle speed) motor replaced (throttle body cleaned, also). The mechanic stated he had seen this problem in his own Plymouth! This failure has not recurred in the 3 years since making the ais motor the likely cause of the problem. This is simply a follow-up, hopefully of some use to drivers and mechanics.
Incident 1. Driving down the highway at 65 MPH and the engine quits. Pull over, after 20 min the van starts and drives fine for about a month. Incident 2. Driving down the highway at 55 MPH and the engine quits. Pull over, wait 20 min. The van starts and drives fine for about a month. Incident 3. Driving down the highway going 65 MPH and the engine quits. Pull over and wait 20 min. The van starts and drives fine for 7 months. All these incidents happened in the hot summer months.
Engine would start and run a few seconds and then go dead. Engine would restart and run very rough for a few seconds and continue to go dead. Eventually engine would not start. Checked power at coil and there would be power for a second when switch was turned on and then auto shutdown relay clicks and power is lost to coil. Replaced crank sensor and put a computer from same model van in and still will not start. No codes on scan tool. There is fuel pressure on the fuel rail.
The transmission and belt tensioner failed, the axle had broken, the horn, wipers, and cruise control failed. The A/C had gone out along with the condenser. There was fluid leakage in the power steering rack & pinion, the vehicle had gone dead. As a result the computer was replaced. The consumer requested to be reimbursed for the repair costs. Scc
After having the water pump replaced for the third time, while driving home the pulley flew off of the water pump, went into the air, rendering the vehicle inoperable. The consumer was told that the water pump pulley was pressed on to the shaft. As a result of the pulley falling off there was a loss of power steering.
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.
While insured was driving there was some smoke coming in through the vents when she pulled over the smoke stopped, her husband looked at the vehicle and said it looks like there was a small fire under the hood (claim # 60-c266-977).
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
In certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained.
Remedy: Dealers will install an expansion plug and retaining bracket over the cylinder head oil galley plug.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel leakeage from rollover valve
There is no summary currently available
Engine complaints in other Grand Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager?
NHTSA has 92 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 16% of the model year's 569 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (55 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-006 (gasoline, Jan 11, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 104,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 12 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling 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.