Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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!!!
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.
The consumer stated that the windshield wipers worked intermittently, and sometimes would not shut off. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and was told that the problem was due to the power distribution center of the vehicle which was malfunctioning. To repair vehicle would cost approximately $700.00. The wiper problem would occur at startup, while turning and or while in motion. The transmission would become a problem as well.
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
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.
Reported steering problem in jul 98. Dealer said they were unable to duplicate failure. Dealer was cutter Chrysler Jeep of waipahu. It has been a problem since purchasing the vehicle and seems to be getting worse. Now the steering is locking-up (intermittently) when I go over a speed bump, causing loss of steering control. The windshield wiper problem was corrected by the same dealer on 24 jul 98 as a malfunctioned switch that was on recall and they replaced it as a goodwill repair because vehicle was out of warranty by mileage only. It once agian is failing intermittently. Both of these I feel are traffic safety concerns that the manufacturer should research and correct immediately. The power distribution center I believe is intermittently shorting out and causing many small electrical problems like radio works, then doesn't, lights go on by themselves, and things like that. …
There are two problems which are occurring all the time: 1. The van smells of gas every once in while. There have been a couple of recalls regarding this matter and they have been performed on the van. Still the fuel smell is there. Have written to Chrysler, they only have one answer for this: you have exceeded the mileage requirement for warranty. I think this is a safety issue and Chrysler should take care of it. Why do they have to wait for somebody to get hurt before they will pay up? Please help. 2. Windshield wipers: these have been a problem since I bought the van. They come on intermittently. Sometimes they come on when I am using turn signal, turning on radio, or just driving. Then there are times when the various speeds stop working, and the wipers only work at high speeds. Warranty work was performed a few times during warranty period. …
The windshield wipers go on whenever they want to, and the windshield wiper speed varies when set on low or medium, this has been a problem since the day we purchsed this car. The windshield wiper switch has been replaced 3 times. 2 times the car was under warranty this last replacement Chrysler paid for the part as goodwill, and the dealer charged me $68.00. The wiper speed still varies (the problem has not been fixed). We have also had the weather stripping replaced 3 times and it is still falling off. The blower motor for the fan does not work on all speeds the fan motor was replaced once under warranty and again on 11/24 for which Chrysler paid for the parts and the dealer charged me $102.00. Both sliding doors can not be opened from the inside. …
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. …
While the front transmission seal was being replaced, the mechanic warned me about the gas tank leaking gasoline. No visable puncture holes can be seen and the leak appears to come from the seem of the tank. He said this does not appear to be from normal wear and tear and to not drive the vehicle until repaired due to danger of explosion and/or fire. When michael stead Chrysler dealership in walnut creek was contacted, I was told on the phone there is no recall on the leaking gas tanks and that the leak is not related to the other recall on our gas tank assembly. We have also experienced the windshield wipers randomly comming on while driving. We had the switch replaced but the problem continues. Autoworld dealership told us that the manufacturer for the wipers has not made a replacement part to fix the problem and that if it was replaced we would just have the same problem.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Grand Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 8% of the model year's 569 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to windows, wipers & sunroof 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.