Engine complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
In wet conditions, the serpentine belt of our 2000 Chrysler Grand Voyager minivan comes off with no warning. The problem is intermittent and unpredictable (though always wet). When it does slip off, the driver is left in a deadly situation as all power steering is lost. This has happened to us approximately 10 times over the past year or so. We've replaced the belt twice, the pulley wheel, the tensioner, and the motor mounts. We've also had a plate installed under the motor to try to keep road moisture off of the belt system. I've now learned that this is so common a problem that the gates corporation has manufactured a repair/replacement belt system for these vans (which I just purchased). It's interesting that the gates corporation acknowledges the problem, but the Chrysler/Dodge company hasn't issued a recall or offered any type of recourse for customers. …
I have a 2000 Chrysler Grand voyage, currently with 136000 miles on it. Any time there seems to be a bit of a wet condition, that leads to the serpentine belt coming off. It happened on 3/12/2007, in nov 2006, in sept 2006, in aug 2006, during the summer of 2005, and summer of 2004(original belt). With the number of systems controlled by that belt, this is a safety hazard. The reports seem to be that the belt is very prone to slipping off. In the nov 2006 repair, the shop said I needed a water pump because the bearings were worn and the shaft was out of alignment. I wonder if that could have been caused by the serpentine belt walking, putting odd stresses on the shaft. A large washer, part of a repair kit for the problem, was installed on the tensioner in September, but that has not ended the problem. It's overly sensitive to wet conditions - which at times simply cannot be avoided.
The vehicle caught fire when I was about to leave my house, I had started it and then was about to put it in gear when it exploded, I had to jump out the passenger side and then there was another explosion followed by another.
Serpentine belt has repeatedly fallen off of our 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager. This condition has occurred driving through very small standing water and/or a snow drift. The belt has come off 5 times in the last 6 months, causing the loss of control and loss of power steering, alternator drive and cooling system. This has left my wife and 3 small children stranded several times. Upon researching this problem, this is a known design flaw with the van. In fact, there are several web sights that I found where dozens of owners have complained about the same problem. Both gates and Goodyear have even designed kits to prevent the problem from recurring, that is how common this problem is. …
Driving to store. Weather was clear ~ 85 degrees f, road was clear, no rain, time approximately 10 pm. While driving, I moved into the center lane (major road, three lanes both ways) for a turn to the store, during my turn to the left, I noticed that my power steering was not functioning and very hard to control/steer the vehicle. After struggling to straighten out my van (1998 Plymouth, Grand Voyager se) I noticed that my engine temperature had gone off scale / over heating. At this point I stopped the van in the middle of traffic.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the steering failed without warning and the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The contact had to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road. When the hood was opened, the contact discovered that the driving belt was out of the pulley. The belt was placed back into position. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 154,000.
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.
Related recalls (1)
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
Frequently asked questions
Which Plymouth Grand Voyager years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1996 (92), 1998 (68), 1997 (46), 1999 (30) and 2000 (22) model years. Engine complaints make up 16% of all complaints for the 1996.
Is there a recall for Plymouth Grand Voyager engine problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 96V-006 (gasoline, Jan 11, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Plymouth Grand Voyager engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles; 9% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › gasoline (115 mentions), followed by the engine › gasoline › belts and associated pulleys (60).
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.