Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (door latches, locks, hood and tailgate latches).
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).
Mis-lead, deceived and possibly lied to in a used vehicle purchase involving a trade. The vehicle door locks do not work and I injured myself while trying to lock them. I consider the locks to be a safety issue as well as an insurance issue. I now just want to unwind the deal and desperately need help in doing this. I notified the dealer in less than 18 hours of purchase of the situation. I no longer trust them or the vehicle. I need to act quickly in order to get my trade back (which I trust). I have learned a lot but do not feel that I should continue to suffer if it is possible to unwind this. I was also mislead on the whereabouts of my trade in attempting to return their vehicle today - they said at first it had already been sold, then changed the story. That drive this morning was 1.5 hours from my house yet 1.5 from their location. …
Dt: the consumer stated the sliding door on the driver's side remained in the locked position. It cannot be unlocked with the key or from the inside. This is a power door locking mechanism. The vehicle has not been to a service dealer, but he problem has been reported to the manufacturer. This component is no longer under warranty. The consumer does not have the address for the dealership where the vehicle was purchased.
Efective components include: spark plug wires/ sliding door motor/circuit board//door handles/battery/ignition switch/multifunction switch, door lock motor/ windshield motor/ latch door lift gate, and rear shock absorber and rear struts. Please attach a description of each of these defects and copies of any work you have had performed on the vehicle regarding these defects.
While driving vehicle or when is stopping has to lock sliding door on passenger's side before closing. Otherwise, when not locking door, it will open without a warning. Consumer had taken vehicle to dealer before.
Consumer has had continuous mechanical door problems. Prior to incident date, consumer tried to contact the dealer . The dealer kept telling the consumer that they have no avaliable dates to repair the problem.
When driving at approx 70 MPH the passenger's sliding door opens by itself. This defect can cause serious injuries. Consumer took car to dealership, cannot locate problem. This defect keeps reoccurring.
Doors unlock on their own. Consumer feels its dangerous because small children are aboard.
Vehicle's automatic door has a malfunction. Please provide more details. Ph
Sliding door on left side of vehicle cannot be unlocked from inside or outside of the vehicle or with power remote, cause unknown. Right door can be unlocked manually by hand.
Sliding door could not be locked. When it locked could not be unlocked with the key. Dealer was contacted and problem was fixed, but it happened again. Please provide more information.
Door Lock & Latch complaints in other Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are door lock & latch problems on the 1996 Plymouth Voyager?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the locks & latches of the 1996 Plymouth Voyager, 4% of the model year's 756 complaints. The component named most often is doors › latch (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Voyager door lock & latch problems?
No. NHTSA lists no locks & latches 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 door lock & latch problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to locks & latches 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.