1987 Plymouth Voyager Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe body hardware giving way: rear hatch and liftgate latches, sliding door hinges and hood latches, followed by seat belts that jam in the buckle or do not lock. Other complaints describe the engine running at a high idle or surging, cruise control that would not release when the brakes were applied, and exhaust or oil-smoke problems in the engine bay. Mileage is not recorded in this sample; the reports were filed from the mid-1990s into the early 2000s on vans that had been in service for years.

1. 1
   Latches, locks and linkages

   Rear hatch and sliding door latches let go

   • 14 complaints (17%)
   • typically at 8.5 yrs old
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–1998

   Complaints describe the rear hatch or liftgate latch failing so the hatch opens or flies up while driving, in one case with a passenger thrown from the rear of the vehicle. Owners also report the sliding door's upper hinge no longer holding the top of the door, so the door does not fully engage, and a hood latch bolt separating from the hood after an impact so the hood flew up. One owner said a replacement part was not available and tied the hatch down; dealers are described as having been notified rather than as having resolved the problem. Mileage is not recorded in these filings; reports were filed from the mid-1990s onward on vans already in regular use, and several involve the hatch or hood opening while the vehicle was moving.

   What to check: Open and close the rear hatch, sliding door and hood several times and check that each latch catches solidly and sits flush. Straps, tie-downs or a hatch that needs a firm slam to stay shut are worth asking about.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving vehicle struck a deer. Upon impact, the hood latch bolt separated from the hood, causing the hood to fly up. Manufacturer will be contacted.”

   NHTSA complaint #825716, filed 1998-07
2. 2
   Seat belts

   Seat belts jam or fail to hold

   Mentioned in 4 of 22 sampled complaints

   Owners describe seat belt buckles that would not release, leaving an occupant trapped until another person helped or until the dealer broke the buckle to free them. Other complaints say the belts did not retract or lock and did not hold occupants in a collision, which investigators reportedly confirmed in one case. The reports concern both driver and passenger positions and both front and rear seating. Mileage is not recorded in these filings; complaints were filed through the mid-1990s on vans in everyday use, some after a collision and some while parked or stationary.

   What to check: Buckle and release every belt, including the rear ones, and pull each belt out fully to see that it retracts smoothly and locks when tugged sharply. Belts that are slow to retract or stiff to release are worth flagging.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Owner was involved in an accident and the driver's/ passenger's side seat belt harness did not hold. Owner further notes that investigator did look at seat belts and determined that they did not retrtact, also they did not lock.”

   NHTSA complaint #812041, filed 1997-05

   “Driver's shoulder/lap belt would not release; driver was trapped inside vehicle; opened driver's door, eventually got leg out and crawled out of vehicle. Tt”

   NHTSA complaint #965899, filed 1995-05
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine-bay exhaust leak, oil burning, stalling

   • 7 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 10.3 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2001

   One complaint describes an air aspirator valve failing and releasing hot exhaust gas into the engine compartment, melting a rubber hose and a plastic box, with concern about under-hood fire or exhaust reaching the cabin. Another owner reports the van catching fire in the engine compartment while parked at a rest stop, and another describes heavy oil use and smoke from the exhaust traced to a worn exhaust valve guide. A further complaint describes the engine stalling after long drives when the air filter iced over, with a carburetor de-icing kit named as the remedy. Mileage is not recorded in these filings; the reports span the mid-1990s to 2001 and include both steady driving and a parked, shut-off vehicle.

   What to check: Ask whether oil consumption between changes has been measured, and look for smoke at idle or exhaust smells under the hood after a drive. On carbureted examples, ask whether any cold-weather de-icing kit or update has been fitted.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling in central oregon, we pulled into a rest stop and on returning to the car it was on fire in the engine compartment. The entire of the engine compartment was all burned up. We had to leave the vehicle there and find transportation home.”

   NHTSA complaint #745983, filed 2001-05

   “Air aspirator valve failed, releasing hot exhaust gasses in the engine compartment melting a rubber hose and plastic box. A potential for under hood fire or exhaust gasses entering passenger compartment exists.”

   NHTSA complaint #546618, filed 1997-02
4. 4
   Vehicle speed control

   High idle, surging, and cruise control that won't release

   Mentioned in 4 of 22 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine picking up speed on its own: in one case cruise control engaged at highway speed did not disengage when the brakes were applied and the van had to be shifted into neutral to slow down. Others report intermittent sudden acceleration and a high idle right after shifting into drive, requiring hard braking to stop, and a throttle that raced while the van slowed as if slipping out of gear, with the transmission rebuilt repeatedly. One owner reports the van rolling backwards after being left running and in park, stopping only when it hit a tree. Mileage is not recorded in these filings; reports were filed across the mid-1990s and describe both highway driving with cruise engaged and low-speed maneuvering after a cold or warm start.

   What to check: On a test drive, set and then cancel cruise control with the brake pedal and check that the engine returns to a normal idle after shifting into drive. Park on a slight incline, leave it in park, and confirm it holds; ask whether the transmission or throttle linkage has been worked on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Driving at 65mph w/speed control on; had started applying brakes to slow down; speed control locked up; was exiting freeway & still speed control did not disengage; brakes would not slow vehicle down; had to put into neutral to slow down without turning vehicle off.”

   NHTSA complaint #814955, filed 1997-08

   “Backed vehicle out of garage, engaged gear in park, got out, left engine running, moments later vehicle jumped out of gear, rolled backwards, stopped only after hitting small tree, no warning.”

   NHTSA complaint #801460, filed 1996-08

Buying note. On a van of this age, the body and restraint hardware matter as much as the drivetrain: check the hatch, sliding door and hood latches and every seat belt before anything else. Ask what has been done about idle and cruise control behaviour and about oil use, and treat missing parts availability as a practical ownership cost.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 22 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.