Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Plymouth Voyager. When starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal snapping noise heard from the vehicle. The contact shifted into drive; however, the vehicle would not move forward. When the shifter was placed in reverse, the vehicle would only move backwards but not forward. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact to take the vehicle into the dealer for an estimate. The dealer advised the contact that they could not diagnose the vehicle over the phone and would need to inspect the vehicle to determine the exact cause of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000. Ma 09/22/15 the consumer also experienced a problem with the radiator and fan relay. Updated 09/24/15
My husband was driving his 1996 Plymouth Voyager van when the engine started racing. He was pulling into a parking spot, and when he tried to stop the van, the brakes could not stop it, and it hit a car in front of it. He put it into reverse, and it kept going forward and hit the car harder. He took the van to a mechanic who ran a diagnostic test on it, and they could not find the cause of the problem.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Chrysler Voyager. After purchasing the vehicle, the defogger failed to operate normally. The driver had to stop the vehicle in order to clean the windows. There have been several failures with the vehicle since it was purchased. The engine was rebuilt and the serpentine belt was replaced on five occasions. The steering was replaced incorrectly by a dealer and was authorized by the manufacturer to be replaced. The brakes and the heating system were replaced under the extended warranty; however, the brakes were replaced four times. The contact was charged $100 per visit. Invoices are available if needed. A complaint was also filed with the state attorney general. The contact is disabled and aware of the safety risk involved in the numerous vehicle failures. On March 27, 2008, the dealer replaced the manifold and cylinder. …
Tl contact owns a 1996 Plymouth Voyager. Since November of 2003, the transmission has been replaced three different times. After purchasing a brand new transmission, it failed again the very same day and needed to be replaced again. The contact has had the top half of the engine rebuilt. The vehicle is stuck in drive and will not hold fluid. The front windshield wipers activate without a power surge in the vehicle. In addition, the rear bolts keep coming out of the shocks. The contact has taken the vehicle to have the bolts tightened three or four times. The engine is ticking and smoking. The serpentine belt slips off if it gets even slightly wet from snow or rain. The check engine light sporadically flashes on and off or constantly remains illuminated. The air conditioner was completely serviced; however, it cannot be used because of the transmission failure. …
I own a 1996 Plymouth Voyager and on this min van the wipers act very erratic. They work when they want. Sometimes they won't shut off and other times they will not come on at all or stop right in the middle of your view. I also have an issue with the serpentine belts popping off the drive line leaving you with no power steering or power brakes and completely disables the vehicle. I also experience issues with the rear shocks. The bolts come loose and detaches the rear shick from the van leaving it quite uncontrollable while driving. All 3 issues happens on many occasions. All 4 of these defects make this van very dangerous to drive or travel with. Currently my van is sitting in my drive with a bad transmission. I have owned the van for 5 years now and in 5 years I have blown 3 transmissions.
While driving my vehicle will start losing power. Then, the engine cuts off. At first when trying to restart it acts as if it's flooded . Upon waiting about 10 minutes it will start back up, but it will never give back all power, and then it will cut off again. Consumer had taken the van to 2 different repair shops. Both seemed to think they fixed the problem, but had it back no more than 1 week ,and it would do it all over again. In the past month consumer invested $1500.00 to the problems of this van, and it still was not fixed. Also, windshield wipers cut on and off at their choosing. Help!!! This has happened 4 times as of today. Only purchased the care on nov 29, 2002.
Engine failure occurs after driving for 25 to 90 minutes. Failure would occur ramdomly regardless of season, weather, or temperature. First indication of failure would be a loss of power and reduction in speed. The engine would not respond to increases of throttle position. The rate of loss of speed would increase till the vehicle was hardly moving. There would be bucking and backfiring through the intake. The check engine soon dashboard warning light turns on. Engine stalls and will not restart. Has happened in 2003 4 times and on 1/16/04, 1/23/04 and 1/30/04 the last after replacing ECM (computer).
I had to replace 5 serpentine belts and 2 fan belts in the past 2 years, along with the pulleys twice. The alignment was checked to. But for some reason it keeps happening. I call a dealership where I bought the vehicle and they said no recall on this year but on the 1995, I told them that my car was made oct. 1995. I didn't have work done at the dealer since I couldn't get time off from work. So I used a shop near my job. The van is making the same noise again that it makes before the belt fails, a chripping and squeal
Tl* the contact owns a 1996 Plymouth Voyager. The contact stated the engine oil leaked excessively from the vehicle, which required oil to be added to the reservoir every four days. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 96V006000 (engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline) however, the manufacturer informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall, which was expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000.
Oil leaked from the head gasket. This problem had existed since 45K miles. The dealer was contacted and stated that most of the vehicles from 1995-1999 are experiencing problems and Chrysler is aware of them. The specific vehicles are: Plymouth Dodge, cirrus, stratus, breeze, sebring, town & country, caravan, and Voyager. TSB-09-05-98 the vehicle loses 1 qt. Of oil, the oil gets on top of the steering rack and exhaust manifold, and can cause a serious fire. Scc
Related recalls
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
Engine complaints in other Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Plymouth Voyager?
NHTSA has 137 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Plymouth Voyager, 18% of the model year's 756 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (71 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Voyager engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 96V-006 (gasoline, Jan 11, 1996). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Plymouth Voyager engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 14 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.