1994 Plymouth Voyager Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine cutting out while driving, transmission troubles, air bag concerns, brake problems and troubles with the rear liftgate. Many complaints come from vehicles well past 100,000 miles, and parts such as brake lines, leaf springs and liftgate hardware are described as rusted or fatigued, so condition and maintenance history matter more than mileage alone.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the engine suddenly quitting with no warning, sometimes while slowing for a turn after highway driving, sometimes at stop-and-go speeds. Some owners report repeated stalling, and several say dealers replaced fuel pumps, crank or cam sensors and other parts without finding the cause. A few describe a fuel smell and backfiring alongside the stalling. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 55,000 to 200,000 miles, often after extended driving or when slowing to a stop.

   What to check: Drive the van at highway speed and then slow to a stop to see whether it stumbles or cuts out, and ask the seller for any history of sensor, fuel pump or idle-control repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving about 55 MPH on the highway the vehicle stalled without prior warning, the dealer is aware of the problem, please provide any additional information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10003983, filed 2003-01, 86,000 miles

   “Ongoing / intermittent problem with vehicle stalling while driving. Noticed back firing from caburetor and smell of fuel. Also stalling occurred especially during stop position and from take off position. Vehicle been inspected by three different dealers and nothing could be found.”

   NHTSA complaint #852161, filed 1999-10
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission slipping, hard shifting or failure

   • 63 complaints (12%)
   • median 191,500 mi at 12.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners describe transmissions that bang or clunk, lock in a low gear at highway speed, delay when shifting, or fail outright and need replacement. Several report the gear indicator moving out of park or the van rolling while parked on an incline. Dealers typically diagnosed the need for a rebuilt or replacement transmission, and some owners were told no help was available. Mostly reported from about 65,000 miles upward, with many complaints beyond 150,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the transmission cold and hot on a test drive, check that the shifter holds firmly in park on a slope, and ask whether the transmission has been rebuilt or replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the caller said that while driving transmission locked. He said that at 55 or 60 MPH and without warning the transmission l locked in first or second gear. The caller's vehicle lost speed and had to get off the road. He drove the vehicle at slow speeds to get to the dealer. Dealer and manufacturer offered no help for free.”

   NHTSA complaint #10137855, filed 2005-09, 181,000 miles

   “At 65,000 miles transmission malfunctioned when downshifting. A loud noise was heard. Cause unknown. Dealer cannot identify the problem. Please give any further details.”

   NHTSA complaint #842586, filed 1999-07
3. 3
   Brakes

   Brake line rust, leaks and weak rear brakes

   • 36 complaints (7%)
   • median 102,000 mi at 9.9 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2015

   Owners report the brake pedal sinking to the floor, fluid leaking from cracked hoses or rusted metal lines, and a caliper that cracked and leaked. Some describe long stopping distances or rear brakes that did not seem to work at all. Repairs described include replacing brake lines and hoses, calipers, and repeated pad replacements without solving the underlying problem. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 130,000 miles, and complaints often mention rust or prior wet-weather braking.

   What to check: Inspect the metal brake lines and rubber hoses underneath for rust or cracking, check the fluid level, and ask when the brake system was last serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicles rear brakes never worked. The consumer was not aware of this problem until the brakes were overhauled. Inspection during overhaul indicated no rear brake lining wear occurred. The consumer stated the rear brakes were not capable of being pressurized to serve their intended function.”

   NHTSA complaint #890887, filed 2001-09, 107,000 miles

   “While driving, another vehicle pulled in front of the consumer, the consumer applied the brakes and the vehicle slowed down, but the pedal went to the floor, the consumer was able to maneuver to the shoulder and used the emergency brake. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated the brake lines, the rubber hose and the metal tubing all had to be replaced. The rubber hose had numerous cracks and the metal tubing which failed contained extreme rust.”

   NHTSA complaint #10038231, filed 2003-10, 61,262 miles
4. 4
   Body and structure

   Rear liftgate struts and hinges fail

   • 37 complaints (7%)
   • median 112,000 mi at 12.5 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2011

   Complaints describe the liftgate suddenly dropping or the hinges breaking at the bolt area so the gate cannot close, and in one case a failed lift bar shattered the rear window. Owners report temporary fixes at the dealer and, in one case, a dealer saying recall parts were unavailable. A recall on this model year covers liftgate strut attachment bolts that can fail. Reported from roughly 100,000 to 145,000 miles, and complaints often mention frequent opening and closing of the gate.

   Recall 99V213000

   What to check: Open and close the liftgate several times and watch the struts and hinge bolts for looseness or cracks, and ask whether the liftgate recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The hinges on the hatch back has broken off at the bolt area. The hatch back can not be closed. The owner took the van to the dealership and they performed a temporary fix on the bolts/hinges. Nlmwith the hinge broken it allows carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #8020163, filed 2002-10

   “Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to recall number 99v213000/ manufacturer's recall 730 concerning liftgate support bracket. Dealer stated no parts were available, and refused to correct the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #856138, filed 2000-02
5. 5
   Air bags

   Air bag light on or air bag deployment concerns

   • 81 complaints (15%)
   • median 136,410 mi at 9.0 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • 40 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Complaints describe the air bag warning light staying on, sometimes when the rear wiper is used, and owners were told the air bag module had shorted out. Some owners report bags that did not deploy in a collision, and a few describe deployment with no impact. A recall on this model year addresses air bag wiring that could short to ground. Mileage is often not recorded in these complaints; where given, reports cluster around 110,000 to 136,000 miles.

   Recall 99V113000

   What to check: Turn the key to run and confirm the air bag light cycles and then goes out, ask whether the air bag wiring recall was completed, and note whether the wipers and warning lights behave normally.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The air bag light illuminated and could be inoperative in the event of an accident. Dealer notified. Ts. Consumer added the air bag light would come on when the rear wiper was activated. Dealership found air bag module had shorted out and blew the rear wiper fuse.”

   NHTSA complaint #8022159, filed 2002-11, 136,410 miles

   “Consumer state when turning on rear wiper , short occurred, also ABS light stay on continually . Dealer repaired ABS light, wipers still short out. Mjs”

   NHTSA complaint #848619, filed 1999-09

Buying note. These vans are now well past their original service life, so a careful inspection of the brake lines, transmission behavior, liftgate hardware and warning lights matters more than the odometer. Ask for service records and confirm whether the air bag and liftgate recalls were completed.

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.