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 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Serpentine belt falls off all the time it pulls inward toward the engine slightly any when it gets just a little wet it slips off. The tensioner pulley looks like it needed to be cocked upward just the slightest little bit and then it don't move gates aftermarket product works perfect for all who use it chyrsler should be the ones paying to have this part replaced not us this is way to common of a problem .
Tl contact owns a 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager. The vehicle had been running for approximately ten minutes when the contact heard a loud noise. Soon afterwards, the vehicle caught fire. There is a recall for this failure on plymouths with a different size engine. The current mileage, recall number, and powertrain were unknown. The failure mileage was 87,000.
I have problems with my wipers going on and right back off since the month I bought this vehicle in 2000 . I cant get it fixed because noone knows why it does it . Just this week I had my fan relay module replaced , only to learn my transmission is now not worknig it stops at 3rd gear only to drop to 1 gear . While trying to get that fixxed they told me my water pump is leaking (which is OK and expected of most vehicles , ) I have had to have my dash light computer reset because all my ac dfrost and wiper lights were blinking continuously. I dont know what to do this is only a 97 model and I havent even made my final payment but now I have all these expensive repairs. I have had I tick in my motor that rattles on acceleratin forever and change my oil every 3 to 4000 miles like I should . …
Check engine light fail to come on. This in turn cause the fuel pump to start failing,which in turn cause one of the heads to have a mis-fire. This has cause me to fail maryland emissions cause they hook your vehicle up to a computer. Break down of repairs below from the Chrysler dealer that calls it a five star dealer !!! Fuel pump = $600.00 check engine light ( wiring ) = $350.00 new head one side = $1,100.00 this is from a man who changes the oil every 2,500 miles and takes great care of the vehicle my vw has 250,000 miles and still runs great. I called Chrysler but they said it my problem.
The serpentine belt falls off and the vehicle must be towed. This is even after we paid to have a bracket installed & tensioner per TSB to prevent this from reoccurring. This is the second time the belt has fallen off. Chrysler should not provide a product in which the vehicle must be towed due to a design defect. Chrysler should not provide a service which would lead the consumer to believe that the design defect is remedied. ( is this not fraud?) also, this failure mode causes a situation in which the vehicle must be towed - how is this not a safety issue?
Tl contact owns a 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager. The contact stated the entire instrument panel intermittently failed and all of the gauges dropped to 0. The vehicle also intermittently stalled. The failure occurred while at a stop sign and while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was advised to replace the instrument cluster. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 162,000 and the current mileage was 164,000.
While driving pressed on accelerator pedal and vehicle hesitated. Noticed white smoke in the rear of vehicle. Checked side mirrors & noticed flames. Stopped & turned vehicle off. Fire department called & put flames out. Vehicle towed to dealership. Mechanic indicated a spark caused fuel pump to ignite & the electrical wires burned. Wiring harness, anti-lock brake sensors, fuel pump, fuel filter, and fuel tank were all damaged.
Air conditioning system: evaporator was replaced 3 times so far, first time being under 3 year warranty. Service engine light stays on all the time now, even after being diagnosed with "no problems" and being reset. Lately, the windows won't go up and down until the car is stopped and restarted. Same thing with the speedometer and the tachometer. They just "go dead".
While having our car serviced under clockspring recall, they found the serpintine belt tensioner frozen and water pump leaking coolant. The dealer gave us an estimate of $566 to replace the serpentine belt, tensioner, water pump, and coolant flush. The dealer told us the belt could fail at any moment.
Vehicle has broken serpentine belt 11 times since purchased in August 1997. Vehicle looses power steering and alternator when this happens. Brackets, pulleys, tensioners and belts have all been replaced again and again but problem worsens. Last belt lasted only 2 months and 1500 miles.
Engine complaints in other Grand Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager?
NHTSA has 46 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 18% of the model year's 261 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager, though it has 4 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 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 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.