1996 Plymouth Voyager Airbag Problems

Which parts fail

• Frontal
  33
• Frontal › Sensor/control module
  5
• Side/window
  2

Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  17%
• 25k–50k
  00%
• 50k–75k
  533%
• 75k–100k
  17%
• 100k–150k
  533%
• 150k+
  320%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Plymouth Voyager owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Plymouth Voyager. The contact stated that the air bag warning indicator remained illuminated while driving and the cruise control and horn failed to function. In addition, when making a turn, there was a flapping noise in the steering wheel that caused the clock spring to fail. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

I completed a recall on the air bag component of my 1996 Plymouth Voyager in July 2003. I was involved in a t-bone collision on January 26, 2004 where I hit the other car in his driver door going approx. 40 MPH. Neither of my air bags opened.

5/21/96, my son and I were impacted at left front of our 1996 ply Voyager van by a 1987 Chrysler. When I applied the brakes, they locked up, we slid slighthly to the right side -- the force from the impact was enough to shatter the transmission housing, the starter, damage the rack and pinion steering, and crumpled the front end in such a way that the passenger door could not be opened. The shoulder harnesses locked up, but neither air bag deployed. The car was alegedly looked at by Chrysler engineers and it was determined that "the sensor had not been hit"... My son and I both sustained permanent injuries as a result of this accident. My question, with this speed, and this front end damage, why did the bags not deploy? I don't buy not hitting the sensor. I've read report after report identifying the sensor as deploying at 8mph... This accident was serious. …

Dt*: the contact states there is a NHTSA recall campaign 02V293000, concerning the air bags. The manufacturer was contacted and gave verbal authorization to perform recall repairs. When the vehicle was taken to the dealer for recall repairs they refused to perform the work because the vehicle did not demonstrate the problems indicated in the recall. The manufacturer was contacted, and they agreed with the dealer that the recall work should not be performed if the vehicle was not showing signs of the defect. Because the recall work was not performed the contact felt the air bags May deploy without warning and cause an injury.

While stopped at a stop sign, a car struck my Voyager in the center of the front bumper. The other car was moving at 35 MPH and my bumper was pushed into the radiator 10-12 inches and the frame was bent. Neither airbag deployed. The dealer which repaired my Voyager said the sensors were located to either side of the impact, and since no contact was made with them... The airbags won't deploy. My complaint is that they should have deployed under such an impact. I now wonder if they will in another accident.

Chrysler voluntary safety recall notice for Dodge, caravan/grand caravan; Plymouth, Voyager/grand Voyager, and Chrysler, town and country concerning defective clocspring which causes air bag failure. Consumer was involved in a crash on 05/o1/2002. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Since this was prior to Chrysler's issuance of safety recall consumer had air bags repaired at her own expense, but wanted reimbursement from Chrysler. Chrysler refused to do so.

Dt: the consuemr received a recall concerning clock spring in his 2000 Dodge caravan. The consumer also owns a 1996 Plymouth Voyager which is having the same problem as the caravan. The consumer believes the clocksping in the Voyager is also defective and believes it should be covered under the same recall as the caravan. The dealer indicated that the 1996 voyagrer was not included in the recall. Manufacturer has not been contacted yet.

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 involved in a frontal collision and the airbags did not deploy. Owner states that she is hearing a rattling noise in the steering column. The manufacturer has been contacted. Dup 522805, posted on 03-nov-98. 522805 dup of 817047; posted on 09-07-1999. Consumer states she had injuries to (r) leg, hip, and foot and has been in therapy for 3 years.

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.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Airbag complaints in other Voyager years