1988 Plymouth Voyager Problems
- Complaints
- 91filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 2.5L 4-cyl FWD · 18 city / 22 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1988 Plymouth Voyager (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
What owners report
Complaints about this model year center on the rear liftgate and hatch latch, which owners describe popping open while driving or failing to stay shut. Engine complaints describe oil burning and smoke on the 3.0L V6, often noted as the mileage climbs, and sliding doors and liftgate hardware also draw repeated reports.
- Latches, locks and linkages
Rear liftgate latch opens while driving
- 19 complaints (21%)
- typically at 7.5 yrs old
- 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
- filed 1995–1997
Owners describe the rear hatch or tailgate latch releasing on its own, sometimes while the vehicle is moving, and on other vehicles the gate will not stay shut or will not stay open. Several mention the liftgate bracket cracking or breaking off, and one owner reports rust on the tailgate latch at purchase with an occasional warning light. Dealers are described as retightening the latch repeatedly, and some owners said parts were unavailable or that they were placed on a waiting list. Reported across a wide range of vehicle ages, mostly in the sample as problems that recur after repeated tightening or repair.
What to check: Open and close the liftgate several times on a test drive and check the latch, striker, and bracket for cracks, rust, or looseness. Ask whether the latch has been replaced and whether the gate stays latched over bumps.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“Rear hatch latch failed while driving, dealer fixed problem, owner doesn't know what part was install, possible latch, also fire in dash where light location.”
NHTSA complaint #961099, filed 1995-03“Rear hatch door support rods snapped preventing liftgate to stay up/open when using. Rear liftgate opens while driving. Please describe each detail. Tt”
NHTSA complaint #963302, filed 1995-04 - Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
Wipers, lighting and switch faults
Mentioned in 5 of 31 sampled complaints
Owners describe windshield wiper motors that quit while driving, headlamp lenses that made visibility poor at night, and a turn signal problem that persisted after multiple switch replacements. One report describes a burning smell and smoke from the headlamp switch area. Dealers replaced wiper motors and pivot arms in one case and identified a headlamp assembly for replacement in another. Reported as failures on vehicles in regular use, with no consistent mileage figure given in the sample.
What to check: Test the wipers at every speed, check high and low beams and turn signals, and look at the headlamp lenses for clouding. Ask whether the multifunction or headlamp switch has been replaced.
2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records
“While operating the vehicle with the headlights on, a burning smell developed. This was followed by increasingly visible plumes of smoke which eventually impaired driving visibility. Flame was visible briefly. After disconnecting the battery positive cable, it was determined to be a class c fire as the smoke and fire diminished. The vehicle operated normally as long as the headlamp switch was not turned on. …”
NHTSA complaint #701291, filed 1998-12“Driver noticed that the headlamp lenses are to bright. This causes poor visibility to the driver while driving. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the headlamp assembly needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10113238, filed 2005-03
Buying note. Check the rear liftgate and sliding door latches closely, since they are the most common complaint area, and confirm the oil consumption and smoke history on any V6 example. Also confirm the two fuel-tank recalls were completed for the vehicle.
Summary written with AI from a sample of 31 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.
NHTSA recorded 91 consumer complaints for the 1988 Plymouth Voyager. Of all complaints, 6 involved a crash, 8 a fire, 8 an injury, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Body and structure13 14%
- Engine cooling10 11%
- Equipment8 8.8%
- Fuel system6 6.6%
- Steering6 6.6%
- Seat belts5 5.5%
- Electrical system4 4.4%
- Exterior lighting4 4.4%
Also reported: Tires (4), Transmission and drivetrain (3), Seats (2), Suspension (2), Vehicle speed control (2), Air bags (1), Brakes (1), Other or unknown (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Latches, locks and linkages: “Wife drifted off road upon returning loss control, left front wheel folded, and rolled, tailgate popped open. 2 children 1 death and 1 broken femur etc. Tt”
NHTSA complaint #961902, filed 1995-03Engine cooling: “Oil burning fails to pass state inspection. The engine was rebuilt at 50,000 miles. Now at 120,000 miles the dealer saids I need to replace the heads on this car. I have knowest that all the Plymouth vans I see on the road they they all smoke all the time like mind.”
NHTSA complaint #718786, filed 2000-02Equipment: “Evaporator inside vehicle leaks anti-freeze, allowing vapors to be inhailed by occupants. Failure has occurred twice, once replaced. Please describe details.”
NHTSA complaint #981121, filed 1996-03Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1988 Plymouth Voyager version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD | 2.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 18 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD | 3.0L 6-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 88V107000Jul 1, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Plymouth Voyager 1988, Dodge Caravan 1988, Mini RAM Van 1988
Fuel tanks may be constructed of improper material.
- 88V010000Jan 26, 1988Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assemblyCovers: Plymouth Voyager 1988, Dodge Caravan 1988, Mini RAM Van 1988
Fuel tanks may have been damaged during tank manufacture.
Recall details for the 1988 Plymouth Voyager → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1988 Plymouth Voyager.
Other model years of the Plymouth Voyager
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 168 | 61,500 | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1999 | 273 | 73,955 | 4 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 323 | 80,000 | 5 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 346 | 90,000 | 6 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1996 | 756 | 98,000 | 9 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 336 | 106,500 | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 529 | 109,491 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 615 | 122,000 | 8 | — | 20 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 701 | 123,000 | 9 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1991 | 520 | 130,000 | 8 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 226 | 70,000 | 3 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 165 | 140,000 | 2 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 91 | — | 2 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 84 | 233,872 | 0 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 53 | — | 1 | — | 19 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 31 | — | 3 | — | 18 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 22 | — | 3 | — | 21 | — | Stable |
All Plymouth Voyager model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Plymouth Voyager?
Complaints about this model year center on the rear liftgate and hatch latch, which owners describe popping open while driving or failing to stay shut. The issues reported most often: Rear liftgate latch opens while driving; Wipers, lighting and switch faults.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1988 Plymouth Voyager have?
NHTSA recorded 91 consumer complaints for the 1988 Plymouth Voyager as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1988 Plymouth Voyager is reported most often?
Latches, locks and linkages is named most often, in 23 complaints (25% of the total), followed by body and structure with 13.
Has the 1988 Plymouth Voyager been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1988 Plymouth Voyager get?
The EPA rates the 1988 Plymouth Voyager (Voyager/Grand Voyager 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 18 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.