Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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 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.
Dt: the contact stated there were several safety defects within vehicle. The service dealer attempted to repair the vehicle numerous times. There was a problem with the defrosting system, the air conditioning belt, heater core, and heater blower, they were all replaced. The replacement of these parts did not solve the defrosting problem. The steering column shook while driving at normal speeds. The dealer has not been able to diagnose the source of the steering vibration. There was a squeaking noise in the brakes. The dealer said this was normal because the vehicle was not in use for a long period of time. The dealer indicated the noise would end with normal use, but the noise continued. Updated 12/7/2005 -
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.
Tl contact owns a 1996 Dodge Plymouth voyageer when the vehicle was started, the front windshield wipers operated without being activated. Moments later, the wipers would shut off on their own. In cold temperatures, the windshield wipers would become stuck to the front windshield. There were no recalls for the failures. The failure and current mileages were less 165,200. Updated 06/23/09. Updated 06/23/09.
Windshield wipers worked intermittently. The consumer also experienced electrical defects. The lights and radio were sometimes effected. Provide further details. Consumer feels this is very dangerous since the wipers stop working in the middle of a rain storm which leads to poor visibility.
Fuel tank: rollover valve located on top of plastic fuel tank is welded into fuel tank at manufacture. First tank failed at 6000 miles on vehicle, tank cracked around weld at rollover valve site. Fuel leakage and vapor leakage ensued until tank replaced by dealer (quality Chrysler Jeep Plymouth Eagle, albuquerque, nm in aug 1996). The replacement tank developed a leak at the same site, weld of rollover valve to tank body, in December 1998. Both tanks failed in similar manner, both failures cause raw fuel and vapor to leak continuously from tank. Problem with multi-function switch (turn signals, high/low beam, wiper, washer switch, steering column mounted. When driving, the front and rear windshield wipers will automatically turn on by themselves. First multifunction switch replaced by quality Chrysler Plymouth Jeep Eagle, albuquerque nm, late 1996. Dealer replaced multifunction switch. …
This vehicle has had problems ever since it was new. I have had major components replaced and it isnt even paid for yet. The alternator was replaced when it had less than 4,000 miles on it. The wipers still come on by themselves inexplicably - sometimes the key is not even in the ignition! They still have not remedied that problem. The major complaint I have is the engine. I truly believe this is a dangerous vehicle. I had the oil galley plug recall done (supposedly) and in September I had to have a head gasket job done on this van. In the recall it states, and I quote "in certain vehicles, the engine cylinder head oil galley plug does not seal properly and engine cylinder head oil is not adequately retained. Well, they tried to tell me the two repairs were unrelated. I disagree. …
Windshield wipers: injury was to my infant son. I had placed him in his carrier, next to the van, so I could unlock the door....there was ice on the windshield becuase we did not have a garage in nc. As I opened the sliding door, the wipers went into operation, slinging ice onto my baby who was in his seat on the driveway. The keys were not even in the ignition. I have had and continue to still have problems with the wipers, and I addressed the dealer and chysler customer service and neither one of them are willing to remedy the wiper problem unless I pay for it. It has been in for the same problem numerous times ( at least 4) and it is still not resolved. As for the engine, it is a fire hazard in itself....I continue to have "check engine" problems at which point I have to have it towed for fear of driving it. …
In March my airbag light stayed on and then the windshield wipers failed to work. I then a burning odor came out of the heating unit. I brought it into a Chrysler dealership to get fixed. This is the work needed to repair the car. Switch multifuntion, clockspring for airbag. Complete replacement of the BCM due to the airbag malfuntion and wiper malfunction., replaced the multifunction switch. BCM recontroller reprograming and replaced clock spring to repair air bag lamp coming on. The final cost with labor totaled $843.44 I called Chrysler to see if this malfunction would be covered and I was told no. The service department said it is rare that the system fails in a car with my milage. Chrysler was very nasty on the phone and said they would not consider any responsibility towards the payment of the defect. …
Window & Wiper complaints in other Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 1996 Plymouth Voyager?
NHTSA has 74 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 1996 Plymouth Voyager, 10% of the model year's 756 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (43 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Voyager window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
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.