Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Plymouth Voyager owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While backing out of a parking space with a foot on the brakes vehicle started to accelerate in reverse. Was brought to a halt after front passenger'side struck a tree. Consumer's four year old child's head hit rear door window, cracking the window in the process. Consumer suffered back injuries. Seat belts were worn but none of the air bags in vehicle deployed.
Vehicle was taken to the dealer because the air bag light illuminated. Also vehicle was taken to dealer for recall 02V293000 clockspring repairs. Dealer attempted to repair the problems under the recall, but was only able to fix the horn. Air bag light was still illuminating, and cruise control did not function. Consumer requested a call back.
While backing slowly into a driveway vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing the vehicle to back spin over some private property and into another vehicle that was parked. Dealer has been contacted.
I recently heard a news report on a local radio station that the government has launched an investigation into the combined failure of the air bag system, cruise control and horn on approx 3 million Mini vans. Unfortunately, I suspect my van currently has this same problem. It has not been examined by my Chrysler dealer although I did contact them and they advised they were unaware of this type of problem and claimed to have not received any report from Chrysler about this. I also called Chrysler customer assistance and they too were "unaware" of any problems and simply documented my concern. I would like to know if Chrysler is indeed aware of multiple problems with this same failure or are they avoiding admitting to the investigation. I was quite suprised to read in my paper today about the investigation (ea01007) and how the symptems matched mine exactly. …
Investigation currently open by NHTSA ea01007. My airbag light would come on and sometimes extinguish during driving but come back on later. Finally the airbag light stayed on constantly. Over the course of a month, the cruise control and horn quit working as well. I inadvertantly stumbled across this open NHTSA case while looking for a wiring diagram to begin looking into the horn problem first. While the van is 6 years old I understand that Dodge/Plymouth have replaced over 400,000 clock spring assemblies. The dealership charged me $223.30 to replace the part including labor. It would seem that a fair amount of these assemblies have failed which I would expect to last for the lifetime of the vehicle. I would have been willing to pay for the part if Dodge/Plymouth would install it for free. …
Electronic contol unit is bad. This controlls the wipers as well as many other things. Only the windshield wipers do not at this time. I thought we would crash into some when we were on the highway and a big rainstorm hit. We could'nt see anything, it was very scarry. Dealer estimates $579.00 for repair/replacement. Chrysler said "too bad" "not our problem". Also, the parking brake does not hold. I had that checked @ the dealer, who said it could not be adjusted any further w/o risk of the brakes locking up. They also mentioned, the cable was fine, it was not stretched and did not need to be replaced. When we use the ac system, it gives off a bad smell. I think there is some filter in the system somewhere, but they state at the dealership, it does not affect the interior smell of the vehicle when replaced. In otherwords, it will not make the smell go away. …
During hot weather dash air bag indicator light illuminated, horn did not function & cruise control no longer functioned. Certified service center has identified problem is due to clock spring in steering column (ref NHTSA action #: ea01007). Air bag light came on first...cruise control still work intermittently. Did not become aware of horn malfunction until needed for collision avoidance (near miss, no damage). Reference NHTSA recall # 98V046 for same issue in different make vehicle by same manufacturer. Reference Chrysler TSB # 08-010-01 May 01 that covers broad range of makes and models. This investigation was opened in feb-2001. Why was a recall issued on wrangler and not minivan when both use same system?
Consumer took a road trip and airbag light stayed on. Cruise control went out, and there was no horn. Dealer stated clock spring goes out of adjustment, drops contact, and everything drops down. Repair included removing airbag and steering wheel, cost $375 to fix. Consumer states the clockspring was replaced on 25-jul-01 and until it had been replaced the airbag, cruise control, and horn were inoperable.
The air bag/ clockspring was defective and affected the horn, cruise control and automatic locks. This is becoming a common problem for vehicles similar to my make, model and year, according to our mechanic. Upon research via internet, its an apparent problem and yet a recall has not been issued. I would like reimbursement since this was defective. Thank you for looking into this matter.
While driving cruise control kicked in, and the brakes had to have extreme pressure applied in order to slowdown. Vehicle had to be turned off, and then back on in order for cruise control to disengage. Dealer said it was the servo cruise control cable. Vehicle was fixed. Rear brake drums had to be turned because it was affected by the heat while trying to stop.
NHTSA investigations
Dc minivan fuel injector rail leak
There is no summary currently available
Fuel leaks from the gas tank
Analysis to date indicates that some of the subject vehiclescontinue to experience fuel leaks from the fuel tank at the sending unit interface.most often the leak involves the o-ring seal.
Fuel tank leaks
This engineering analysis was opened on January 31, 1997 based on information gathered during preliminary evaluation (pe), pe96-051. The pe was opened on August 19, 1996, to investigate allegations of fuel leakage from the area where the fuel pump/sending unit joins the fuel tank.for brevidy, this area will be referred to as the pump/tank interface.these allegations were first received by odi on August 2, 1996 while…
Acceleration complaints in other Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1996 Plymouth Voyager?
NHTSA has 48 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1996 Plymouth Voyager, 6% of the model year's 756 complaints. The component named most often is linkages (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Voyager acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1996 Plymouth 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 Voyager acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 132,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to speed control & acceleration 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.