1994 Plymouth Grand Voyager Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1994 Plymouth Grand Voyager most often describe transmission problems, typically leakage, slipping, harsh shifting, or complete loss of drive, sometimes after a rebuild or replacement. Sliding-door hardware, liftgate struts, and air bag warning lights or non-deployment in a crash are also frequently reported, and the median complaint mileage for this model year is around 134,000, so many reports come from well-used vans.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, harsh shifting or loss of drive

   • 39 complaints (20%)
   • typically at 4.4 yrs old
   • filed 1996–2004

   Complaints describe transmissions that slip between gears, shudder, slam into gear, leak fluid, or stop engaging altogether, in some cases leaving the van unable to move and rolling even in park. Several owners say the unit was rebuilt or replaced more than once, and that dealers declined further help once the vehicle was past warranty. A few report being told the problem was a torque converter or throttle position sensor before the transmission itself was blamed. Reports span a wide mileage range, from under 20,000 miles to well past 100,000, with repeats often described after a prior repair.

   What to check: On a test drive, check for slipping, delayed engagement, shuddering or a burnt smell, and inspect the fluid and pan for leaks. Ask for service records showing whether the transmission was rebuilt or replaced and when.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving a group of students when I heard a loud explosion and lost all gears on my transmission. I stopped the vehicle, tried to put it in park and it kept rolling. The interior of the transmission had blown. At the same time, it blew out the starter and the main drive. If I can find a used or rebuilt transmission, it will cost me $1,000 for the transmission plus labor costs. Been searching 2 weeks with no luck. It's about time someone takes these reports seriously. An investigation needs to be started. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10061891, filed 2004-03

   “Transmission/torque converter failed, causing vehicle to lunch forward. Problem occurs usually after trips over 5 miles when transmission is warmed up. Initially, dealership diagnosed it as throttle position sensor failure, and replaced the part. After the fourth failure, dealership diagnosed it as torque converter malfunctioning.”

   NHTSA complaint #534245, filed 1998-04
2. 2
   Air bags

   Air bag warning light on or air bag not deploying

   • 21 complaints (11%)
   • median 70,167 mi at 11.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2004

   Complaints describe the air bag warning light coming on and staying on, sometimes intermittently, with dealers unable to find a cause or replacing a switch or module. Other owners report that air bags did not deploy in a frontal collision, and one describes a driver-side air bag deploying while driving without a collision. A recall addressing wiring that could short and cause deployment appears in the record for this model year. Spread across the mileage range, with reports from about 70,000 to about 156,000 miles; the airbags median is about 113,000.

   Recall 99V113000

   What to check: Confirm the air bag warning light comes on briefly at startup and then goes out. Ask whether recall 99V113000 (air bag wiring) was performed and whether any air bag fault codes have been stored.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The driver side airbag on our 1994 Plymouth Grand Voyager deployed while driving at approx 30 MPH. There was no collision, road bumps or anyother physical jarring of the vehicle. There was no cause for the airbag to deploy. The driver (my wife) sustained minor injuries (broken nose, cut lips and brusing) and she was able to stop the vehicle safely. Fortunately she was not on a major highway. This was reported to chrysler, who has been very uncooperative and rude. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10036890, filed 2003-08, 70,167 miles

   “As I was driving the vehicle I noticed that the airbag light on the dash came on. Than later on I also noticed that my rear window wiper blade was not working. I was told by a friend that it could be a wiring problem that the manufacturer should replace. Dt”

   NHTSA complaint #768609, filed 2002-10
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Sliding door coming off track or falling off

   • 11 complaints (6%)
   • median 105,752 mi at 11.3 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2005

   Owners describe sliding passenger doors that became hard to open and close over time, then came off the track or separated from the hinges entirely, in some cases while a child was nearby. Complaints also mention latches that would not hold, doors that opened unexpectedly, and interior lights or door chimes staying on as if a door were open. According to the complaints, dealers often attributed the problem to normal wear. Appears on higher-mileage vans; many complaints come from vehicles with well over 100,000 miles, and the top_components median for structure is about 200,000.

   What to check: Open and close both sliding doors several times and watch the rollers, track and hinge area for play, rust or binding; check that latches hold firmly and that no door-ajar chime stays on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Consumer closed the sliding passenger door which has been difficult to open and close for some time, and currently it fell off. Also, when driving the automatic locks kept locking, and the bell kept going on. The interior lights flashed, and the door ajar light came on.”

   NHTSA complaint #10109162, filed 2005-01, 105,752 miles

   “The sliding door broke off from the hinges and may have caused injuries. Dealer said it due to the wear and tear of the door, and that it is normal that door should break off. Common problem. Please provide further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #838225, filed 1999-05
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling without warning

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out at speed, at stop signs and on exit ramps, with gauges reading normal and the engine often restarting after a wait. Owners report that dealers and independent shops could not reproduce or diagnose the fault, and in one case a fuel pump replacement did not stop the stalling. Another owner describes a cooling fan bracket breaking repeatedly. Reported from moderate to very high mileage, including one at about 200,000 miles; no consistent weather pattern is described.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the van has ever stalled and what was replaced afterward, and have a shop check stored fault codes, fuel delivery and the cooling fan and bracket condition before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Cooling system fan broke because of the aluminum bracket that held it in place. The bracket was attached to a steel rod which caused too much stress and eventually resulted in the fan brackets breaking. This problem had occurred twice.”

   NHTSA complaint #10042015, filed 2003-10, 80,000 miles

   “While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The consumer was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic could not duplicate the problem. Please provide further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #10087823, filed 2004-08

Buying note. Given the age and typical mileage of this model year, a pre-purchase inspection focused on the transmission, sliding-door hardware and air bag system is worth the cost, along with confirmation of which open recalls have been completed. Service records showing whether the transmission has already been rebuilt are the single most useful document to ask for.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.