Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Plymouth Voyager owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
We just had our van into the dealer ship last week it was surging while I was driving it. The dealer said it was the transmission and fixed the problem. Three days later it was doing the same thing and also shifted into neutral while I was driving on the freeway at 65 MPH. I had my one year old with me at the time. It was a very scary experience. Had we known that Chrysler had and still has defective transmissions we never would have purchased this vehicle. In looking on the internet I have seen many complaints about Chrysler's transmission as far back as the 1989 model. How can they get away with this for so long? I consider this van to be a lemon. Unfortunatly the lemon law states that the problem has to have happened within the first 18,000 miles. What recourse do I have in returning this obvious lemon?
It all began with a "bump" in the transmission when the ac was on. Soon after that startedtransmission would lock into "limp home" mode betwen 30 and 35 MPH. It kicked into limp home mode on the highway, while I was driving 65 and put my family in jeapordy. I parked in in the driveway and left it there for 2 months. When I decided to try it again to get it to a mechanic, it wouldn't even go in reverse. Brought it to a Chrysler dealership in the area to be repaired at the tune of $2,000 for an overhaul. Metal all throughout the tranny. The dealership we bought it from denies any TSB's on the vehicle and has been quite nasty to us, so we brought it to another Chrysler dealer. How do we go about getting this paid for by daimler Chrysler?
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle would not transition to a higher gear and would not reach a speed of more than 5mph. The vehicle was towed to a service dealer who replaced the transmission. The day the transmission was repaired the vehicle began to make a clicking sound and was taken to a local mechanic who determined the axel needed to be replaced. Last week, while driving 35pmh on an exit ramp, a loud popping noise was heard. After stopping at a stop sign, the vehicle failed to move forward while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop where the driver side tie rod end was replaced.
Failure of transmission range sensor and transmission front pump on a vehicle that's just at 6 years old, with <70000 miles on it. Car did not respond when shifted into reverse. Shifted into park, then reverse again - still did not go into gear. Shifted into park and then drive, and the car proceeded to roll backwards down the driveway (obviously didn't go into gear). Shifted into park, then reverse and it finally took. This has happened 3 times in the past week. This car is only driven to and from work - with not much starting and stopping. This seems like a premature failure for these two parts.
At 20 and 50K miles, the consumer noticed that while making a turn and placing the vehicle in reverse a grinding noise was heard. The vehicle would not shift into reverse. The dealership stated the transmission needed replacement. Vehicle is now on its third transmission. Both transmission failure were due to a broken differential pin. A new transmission was placed in the vehicle at 22K and 55K miles by the dealer. The transmission was also flushed.
1. The rear hatch leaked upon delivery. Three attempts were made to put some king of sealant on the exterior to prevent leakage. Some water damage to interior was never fixed. 2. Air bag light on due to clock spring failure. Waited for almost two years for Chrysler to issue recall while problem was being investigated by NHTSA. 3. Transmission failure at 115,800km. Estimated $1,800 to repair at transmission shop.
1997 Plymouth Voyager transmission failure. Consumer states that the transmission has failed 5 times. Consumer believes that he is due to some compensation due to the continuing failure of this vehicle. The transmission would not shift properly into gear and sometimes it would get stuck in second gear. Both outer tie rod ends were loose.
The consumer's son was driving when the transmission failed. Massive amounts of metal was found inside of the differential. The transmission would only go in reverse. The sliding door motor failed and the driverside power locks on the driver side slide door had become inoperative. The consumer requested reimbursement. Scc
At about 62000 miles van began to shift hard and clunk at about 35-40 MPH. Took it to the dealer during warranty period and was told that there was nothing wrong with the transmission. At 65000 miles the transmission failed while my wife and 11 month old were driving, leaving them stranded about and hour from home.
Transmission failed to shift into higher gears. The first time the dealer replaced some parts in the transmission, the second time the dealer stated the entire transmission needed to be replaced. Ts and the clock spring needed to be replaced.
Transmission complaints in other Voyager years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1997 Plymouth Voyager?
NHTSA has 55 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1997 Plymouth Voyager, 16% of the model year's 346 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (38 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Plymouth Voyager transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 1997 Plymouth Voyager, though it has 6 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 1997 Plymouth Voyager transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 77,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.