Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The power window on the drivers side just became sluggish and finally went down and wouldn't come back up, a bracket was broken, the entire assembly had to be replaced. The transmission would not go into gear during very cold weather and it was not a consistent problem to begin with. When you put the car in drive the engine would rev but it would not move forward. Then finally after warming up a few minutes it would lurch forward and be fine. Finally this past week it began making a grinding noise in reverse and refused to go in reverse. The car was put into drive and the grinding noise continued. Just fyi when I contacted Chrysler corporation about this problem, because I think a car should be able to make it to at least 100,000 miles before you start experiencing major problems, the customer assistance rep told me that I was unrealistic to expect my car to make it 100,000 miles. …
OK I didn't know how else to put this but to say that when raining this van and the funny part is that when driving during weather conditions (I.e. Rain snow) the micro v belt slips off and makes the van hard to drive and May in time if not already cause and accident the first time it happened to us we went though a small puddle of water on an on ramp from one free way to another and the van became unstable and hard to steer we had a 11 and a 2 year old in this van and now it doesn't matter when we drive in the rain it happens I have been told that there is a fix but the kit is over 200 dollars and is next to impossible for people to fix this on fixed incomes to this day we still deal with it but something should be done about it with Chrysler and after doing a search on just google alone I found 1500-5000 different compliance on this one problem.
1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager transmission implosion. While driving at highway speed some gears from the 4 speed automatic transmission punched out of the housing causing complete transmission failure and loss of power. Pushed vehicle to side of highway, but was left stranded in middle of night with small children and full term pregnant wife. Although Chrysler was aware of this common problem they would not repair it as ~10000 miles out of warranty - $3000 replacement out of pocket cost. Second transmission failed ~38000 miles later, 2000 miles out of warranty and Chrysler refused again - $2100 rebuild cost. Besides the massive cost, total mechanical failure is very dangerous in highway traffic and if it leaves you stranded in the middle of nowhere.
Noise from underneath van sounding as if parts were falling off or like metal in a blender. Once I stopped and looked under a steady stream of transmission fluid was pouring out. Had transmission shop confirm today that a "pin" broke and caused complete destruction to transmission and case. Nothing can be reused. Need an entire new transmission. Called dealership where purchased and they advised to call 800# in manual. Called 800# and was told there was nothing on file of this problem and this is our responsibility since it is no longer under warranty. I informed her that there is only 48,000 miles on van and this is unacceptable. Again she advised it was our responsibility.
Bought van June of 1998 with a 3 yaer warranty/36,000 miles. Feburary of 2001, transmission goes out. A problem with the pin. 12 month warranty on reman transmission. Feburary of 2002, on exact same day as last year, transmission goes out again. Dealer tries to get out of the warranty--called customer service--should be a three year warranty. Again, problem with the pin. Another reman transmission put in. April of 2003, transmission acting funny and jumping speeds when slowing. Problem with torque. Another reman installed. April of 2003, the next week, transmission making fluttering noises at different speeds. Torque problem again. Another reman transmission.
The pin (about 1" dia) in the transaxle broke, travelling at about 60mph, and locked up the front wheels of the vehicle. The lockup occured because the pin exited through the housing of the transaxle and lodged itself in between the bell housing and torque converter. The transaxle had three different holes smashed in its side from the failure. I have pictures of the damage which I can email. I was told by the garage that replaced the transaxle that this is a common failure on the Plymouth voyagers although normally the failure doesn't occur until the 90,000+ mark. This failure could have created a serious accident since the front wheels suddenly locked up.
May 29, 2004 on a state highway and traveling at 55 MPH when we felt a "thump" under our van. Upon pulling over, saw an oil slick left on road from vehicle. Transmission had a hole punched through from inside. Both Chrysler dealer and transmission supply said they see many like it every month, where a set pin lets go and a small shaft slips over far enough to contact transmission case and destroys it. Vehicle had 49564 miles on it at the time. Transmission replaced at a cost of $2004.29. I have old case at home.
My 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager went through several quarts of transmission fluid in the past winter. When I took it to my mechanic he said he had worked on several other vehicles of the same model. He warned that the transmission could go out any time and that it is a manufacturer's defect. A pin is coming loose in the transmission. As there was never a puddle under my vehicle it took the van failing to engage into p r d n 1 2 to notice the problem. The fluid was spraying out as I was driving.
While driving 70 MPH the driver heard a loud crunching noise from the front end. The driver pulled over and proceeded to put the vehicle into park, however the vehicle began to roll backwards so she applied the emergency brake. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where she learned the engine and transmission needed to be replaced. Please provide additional information.
98 Plymouth Grand Voyager - 70K miles was informed by a Chrysler service center that I needed a new transmission. 96 Plymouth Grand Voyager wipers activate on there own occassionally - airbag light comes on and stays on occassionally
Transmission complaints in other Grand Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager, 15% of the model year's 276 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (30 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1998 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 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.