1993 Plymouth Voyager Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about brake problems, particularly the antilock system warning light coming on and the brake pedal feeling different or travelling further than expected. Many complaints concern vans with well over 100,000 miles, and a recurring theme is dissatisfaction with how recall 96V099000 repairs were handled or whether they covered the parts that failed. Transmission shifting and seat belt latching issues also come up, along with liftgate and door hardware.

1. 1
   Brakes

   ABS light on, pedal changes, reduced braking

   • 157 complaints (26%)
   • median 140,000 mi at 13.1 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 15 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2012

   Complaints describe the ABS warning light illuminating intermittently and the brake pedal feeling different, sometimes going near or to the floor with reduced stopping power. Several owners say the problem was intermittent and hard for shops to duplicate, and that dealers inspected the system and reported it fine before the same symptoms returned. Some describe brake fluid leaking or the ABS pump and hydraulic control unit needing replacement, and note that repairs under the ABS recall did not cover or did not resolve these parts. Reported from the 1990s through the 2010s, mostly on vans with roughly 100,000 to 200,000 miles; some owners mention rain, snow or ice.

   Recall 96V099000

   What to check: Ask for documentation of any ABS recall work, including which parts were replaced, and have a mechanic check the ABS pump, hydraulic unit and fluid level before buying. Note whether the ABS and brake warning lights stay on during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving in granite city about 1 1/2 hours from centralia my town when the ABS and emergency brake lights came on and my brake pedal got very stiff and I can barley stop. This has not gone away! I took the van to the mechanic and he said it was the brake (power brake booster and master cylinder) I have called auto stores to get the part but they tell me they cant even get the parts I need to get this fixed! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10144196, filed 2005-12, 156,000 miles

   “I had the ABS repaired on a recall. Since the recall I have had problems with the system. The lite continuosly goes on and the brakes would go from ABS to manual several times on ice and rain. Since the weather warmed the brakes seem to work better and the ABS lite quit coming on but brake fluid runs out the fill resavoir when the vehicle is parked. Is there a connection with the hydraulics and the parts that were replace with the recall?”

   NHTSA complaint #746852, filed 2001-06
2. 2
   Seat belts

   Seat belts won't latch, stick or retract

   • 67 complaints (11%)
   • typically at 3.8 yrs old
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Complaints describe buckles that will not latch, release on their own, or stick so the belt cannot be pulled out, along with belts that fail to retract. Some owners report the rear or middle-row belt anchorage coming loose, and in one case the belt released while children were using it. Dealers are described as recommending replacement of the belt system or buckle assembly. Mostly reported in the mid-to-late 1990s; mileage is often not recorded in these complaints.

   Recall 97V148000Recall 97V149000

   What to check: Buckle and unbuckle every belt, including the middle and rear rows, and check that each retracts fully and holds firmly. Ask whether the seat belt buckle and rear anchorage recalls were completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving 45 MPH the seatback broke, causing the back of seat to fall backwards which almost caused an accident. Seatback repaired by dealer with a $50 deductible. Also, tab sticks out of seat belt adjuster that could injure a passenger.”

   NHTSA complaint #830507, filed 1998-11

   “The passenger's seat belt does not retract while in use, which in event of an accident will not hold the occupant. Dealer said needs to replace seat belt system. Please provide details and VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #828405, filed 1998-10
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission sticks in gear or shifts harshly

   • 63 complaints (10%)
   • median 151,238 mi at 10.9 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2009

   Owners describe the automatic transmission staying in first or second gear, jerking or hesitating at stops, and refusing to upshift until the van is restarted. Some say the problem is worse when the engine is cold, and a few mention a shop recommending turning the vehicle off to reset it. Others report transmission fluid leaks or that the transmission failed shortly after being serviced. Reported across many mileage points from the 1990s to the 2000s, with several complaints involving vans over 140,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Drive the van from cold and check that it shifts through all gears without hanging or slipping. Ask about fluid and filter service history and whether the transmission has been rebuilt or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Power train-auto trans. After having the auto trans. Serviced, the trans. Goes out w/in 2000 miles. 1st. Time in 1995 was covered by warranty. Because of this I was afraid to have it serviced thereafter, now for the 2nd time it happen w/in 1000 miles.”

   NHTSA complaint #10023258, filed 2003-06, 206,278 miles

   “While getting the ABS brakes repaired mechanic spotted that the axle assembly cracked. Manufacturer's recall ch8270 was issued on axle assembly for this make/model and year. But this vehicle was not included due to VIN.”

   NHTSA complaint #10049868, filed 2003-12, 96,199 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls or cuts out while driving

   • 36 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 3.9 yrs old
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Owners describe the engine dying without warning at various speeds, including on the highway and during deceleration, sometimes stalling when turning corners. Some report the van would only run briefly before cutting out, and one owner was told the main computer module was back-ordered. Complaints note that dealers could not reproduce or locate the cause when the vehicle was in for service. Reported throughout the 1990s, at varied mileages, with some owners mentioning hot weather and low speeds.

   What to check: Drive the van long enough to reach normal temperature and include some idling and low-speed turning, watching for hesitation or stalling. Ask whether the computer module or ignition components have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at various speeds, usually during times of deceleration engine will stall, causing shut down of all systems. This has occurred on the highway as well as during city driving. I have taken it to the dealer and all they tell me is it must do it while their monitoring it to troubleshoot it.”

   NHTSA complaint #702989, filed 1999-02

   “Main computer module has blown out, causing the vehicle to die out. Will only stay running for couple of seconds. Dealer stated that main computer module is on national back order for at least 8 months or more.”

   NHTSA complaint #820202, filed 1998-03
5. 5
   Body and structure

   Liftgate and door hinges, latches failing

   • 63 complaints (10%)
   • median 10,042 mi at 10.2 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2002

   Complaints describe the rear liftgate strut bolts loosening so the liftgate drops or the bracket falls, and door hinges bending so doors will not close or swing open while driving. Some owners say doors have hung or come off their hinges, and that dealers attributed the problem to hinge alignment after recall work. Others report door latches failing and allowing the rear door to open in motion. Reported from the mid-1990s onward, with several complaints on low-mileage vans under about 40,000 miles.

   Recall 99V213000

   What to check: Open and close the liftgate and all doors several times and look for loose strut bolts, sagging hinges or misalignment. Ask whether the liftgate strut bolt recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at about 15mph back door flew up. Consumer pulled over to shut door, but it would not shut. Then it finally closed. Took vehicle to dealer, and they said there was a recall on the door (recall # 95i001001 and 95i001005). Went to have recall repairs done. When picking up vehicle consumer noticed door was out of line, but there was no repair person around. Consumer brought vehicle back the next day, and they said that the hinges were out of line, and wanted consumer to pay for repairs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #860647, filed 2000-04

   “Doors do not lock properly. They lock up from the outside & inside when trying to get out of vehicle. Dealer has not cooperated. Has given consumer the run around to replace the part.”

   NHTSA complaint #865580, filed 2000-07

Buying note. Brake system complaints and questions about recall 96V099000 coverage dominate this model year's reports, so a careful brake inspection and recall paperwork are the first things to check. Given the age, also budget for transmission and seat belt attention and confirm the liftgate and door hardware is sound.

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.