Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 .
I was in my way to work when it was raining ever time it rains the belts comes off this is very dangerous. I had no power steering at all when this happen with muscle I managed to pull over onto the shoulder of the road. Once water hits the tension wheel belt it knocks it off which makes it slide off every time.
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 . …
Dt: contact owns a 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager. Contact was driving on a major highway at 45 MPH speed when the steering column locked . No warning at all. The contact's vehicle was merging off the highway to the right. Then turned the steering wheel to the right it was very hard to turn the steering wheel. Turned the wheel to the left, and it was very hard to turn. The contact turned the ignition off then back on again and it was as if nothing happened. Then, took vehicle to a mechanic, and he could not duplicate the problem. Took the vehicle to the Plymouth Voyager dealer. They looked at it, and the repair cost will be $900 to fix the whole rack. Called the Chrysler manufacturer, and the contact was told that they would pay for half of the repair cost . Contacted the manufacturer on 10-11-05 and 10-12-05.
Failure of the rack and pinion steering system on 1997 Plymouth voyagervin [redacted]. First failure was July, 16 2001 at 72,936 miles requiring complete replacement of the rack and pinion and the power steering pump. Failure mode was extremely difficult steering ie. High force required on the steering wheel to guide the vehicle. Second failure occurred at 104,575 with same symptom as above and again required replacement of the entire rack and pinion. The dealer claimed there was no problem and a call to Chrysler customer service resulted in no assistance or improvement for this failure.
Since purchasing this van used last year 2011, my van has a high pitched squealing noise. Dealership (3rd party) stated it was only a wet belt and would stop once the belt dried. This noise never stopped. My teen driver was alone when the belt snapped causing her to loose control of the steering. Seeing other post of similar or worse case scenarios I am looking into further action. Neither the mechanic at the dealership or any other mechanic ever stated to me that this issue is common in this vehicle.
1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager tie rod end failure. The tie rod end ball joint seperated. This was a "lifetime" lubricated part with no grease fitting. There was no grease left in the ball joint, rust and corrosion appears to have contributed to the failure. These joints are of poor design and should not fail to the point of complete loss of steering control.. Happened while parking the vehicle, if it had separated on the highway at speed could have been a serious accident.
When van was hit by another vehicle, on the passenger's side at a high rate of speed, there was no deployment of the passenger's front air bag. Also, horn does not work, remote entry on driver's side door does not work, air bag warning light stays on, fuel gauges does not work, A/C heater blink on and off,inside dome light blinks on and off, steering column freezes, cruise control works on and off.
While driving in a mall parking lot, made a turn and heard a loud bang. Steering wheel locked up. I managed to turn the wheel to avoid hitting a parked car and brought the van to a stock. Inspection found that the retaining bolt holding the belt tensioner pulley had snapped off causing the serpentine belt to come off and resulting in power steering failure. Inspection of the failed bolt by aircraft mechanics revealed that the bolt May have had as many as 5 internal stress cracks. Contacted Chrysler who took care of the repair,immediately. Repairs were made at the dealers the same day. Damaged parts were taken to the dealer service department. I was surprised to find out that this retaining bolt is not rated for high stress. If the breakage had happened at high speed it could have caused a serious accident. Suggest that these bolts be inspected and replaced at around 30,000 miles. …
Consumer was driving approx. 35-40 when he began to feel vibrations in the steering control panel. Consumer has taken vehicle to be repaired 3 times. Finally the dealer told him that there was a bulletin posted for this problem. The bulletin specifies the problem, and the corrective actions to be taken includes the installation of a damper into the steering colmn. The installed damper eliminated some of the vibration , but does satisfy consumer.
Steering complaints in other Grand Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the steering of the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 8% of the model year's 261 complaints. The component named most often is steering wheel/handle bar (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 132,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering 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.