1995 Plymouth Voyager Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report air bag warning lights that stay on, air bag system complaints tied to recall 99V113000, and automatic transmission failures that sometimes arrive with little warning. Body and door problems — especially hinges and door frames pulling away from the body — also appear repeatedly in the complaints, often on higher-mileage vans. Many reports come from vehicles well past 100,000 miles, though some door and seat issues are described at lower mileage.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Automatic transmission slips or fails

   • 55 complaints (16%)
   • typically at 4.0 yrs old
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2003

   Owners describe the transmission slipping as if in neutral, whining or making noise before failure, erratic or delayed shifting, and occasional loss of drive at speed. Some reports mention the seal failing and others describe repeat transmission replacements. Dealers and independent shops varied widely: some repaired or replaced the unit, while others said the problem was not covered by warranty or could not be identified. Typically reported between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles, with several owners describing failures near 65,000-mile intervals.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive from cold through all gears, check for delayed engagement into reverse or drive, and ask about transmission service history; a service bulletin describes valve body work for overdrive cycling.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “For about 100 miles or so before total failure, we noticed a slight whining sound, plus some instances of slightly erratic shifting. A check of the transmission fluid showed it to be at the proper level. It looked clean, and had no burned smell. The transmission quit working at estelline, texas, on us 287. I had to call a towing service, and was towed to childress, texas. Ther are no Plymouth or chrysler dealers in childress, so we went to a local transmission shop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #716718, filed 2000-01

   “Transmission fails to go into reverse or park when cold. Notified dealer. Dealer says not covered by 7 yr/75,000 mi warranty. Ignition key sticks and locks up column. Dealer says not covered by extended warranty. Drivers seat belt jams after buckled, will not retract or pullout. Does not offer driver support in case of accident. Dealer says not covered by extended warranty.”

   NHTSA complaint #700306, filed 1998-11
2. 2
   Air bags

   Air bag light stays on after recall repair

   • 72 complaints (21%)
   • median 152,500 mi at 8.9 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 33 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2005

   Owners describe the air bag warning light staying illuminated after the recall repair for inadvertent deployment was performed, and in some cases the light came on shortly after the work. Complaints also describe the system sharing wiring with the rear wiper motor, so a wiper fault can turn the light on, and a few describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash. Dealers reportedly told some owners that parts for the recall were unavailable or that the light was unrelated to the recall, while others were charged diagnostic fees. Reported across a wide range of miles and years, including vehicles serviced years after the recall and one under 75,000 miles at the time of the work.

   Recall 99V113000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 99V113000 was completed and keep the paperwork; check that the air bag light goes out after the bulb-check sequence when the key is turned on.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Our 1995 Plymouth Voyager was serviced for NHTSA recall 99v113000 and manufacturer's recall 818/air bag deployment and within a couple of months after service the air bag light had come on . Light had never been on previous to recall servicing . Returned vehicle years later (light on entire time) and requested to service the problem if related to recall NHTSA recall 99v113000 and manufacturer's recall 818/air bag deployment . …”

   NHTSA complaint #10074733, filed 2004-06, 72,000 miles

   “Consumer has been experiencing problems with electrical system. Consumer was dissatisfied with the way the electrical wiring was unstalled. The rear window wiper motor is connected to the same electrical system as the airbags. When window wiper motor went out, the airbag light started illuminating when the airbag could not deploy. The manufacturer has yet to be contacted. .et.”

   NHTSA complaint #833455, filed 1999-01
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Doors separate from body at hinges

   • 45 complaints (13%)
   • median 90,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2007

   Owners report the front and sliding doors pulling away from the body, cracked sheet metal at the hinge area, doors dropping when opened, and in some cases a door coming off entirely or flying open while driving. Complaints describe the hinge mounting area cracking, sometimes with rust involved. Some owners were told by dealers that the cause was wind or that the repair was not covered, with body shop estimates in the hundreds to low thousands. Reported from as low as about 10,000 miles up to 136,000 miles, with several reports on older, higher-mileage vans.

   What to check: Open and close each door slowly and watch the gap at the hinge and A-pillar for cracks or sagging; inspect the sliding door track and hinge mounting areas for rust or fatigue.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The failure of the door mechanism just happened to occur when I opened the door but could have been potentially dangerous if it had occured when driving. The body shop that fixed this problem has seen at least 10 of these vans with this problem in the last 6 months which in turn tells me there is a failure or design defect”

   NHTSA complaint #728482, filed 2000-08

   “The sliding door track underwent fatigue failure, causing the door to fall open upon initiating opening the door. Had we been moving and the door been bumped. I have grave concern the door could have become unhinged and begun cartwheeling down the road. Worse than that if the door did remain attached to the other two hinges, the gap between the door and the frame in this case was sufficient for someone to fall through. …”

   NHTSA complaint #718701, filed 2000-02
4. 4
   Seats

   Driver seat back will not stay upright

   • 36 complaints (11%)
   • median 100,000 mi at 9.0 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–2004

   Owners describe the driver seat back reclining on its own and refusing to return to an upright position, with the metal seat frame or chassis cited as the cause. Some reports note the same problem recurring after an earlier repair. A few owners describe the seat back giving way in a rear impact, with the mechanism said to bend rather than break. Mostly reported around 100,000 miles and above, with one complaint noting the same failure about four years earlier.

   What to check: Recline and return the driver seat through its full range and check that it locks firmly in the upright position without play.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Accident occurred on freeway in spokane,wa. Traffic was stopped in my lane. I was hit in right rear corner after I had come to complete stop. This caused us to be thrown counterclockwise and forward. My wife's seatback gave way, causing her to fall backwards and striking her head on the sliding door window. This shattered the window, fortunately only causing my wife neck and back strain, and not cutting her at all. …”

   NHTSA complaint #753498, filed 2001-10

   “When vehicle was rearended the driver's seat back reclined at a 70 degree angle. Vehicle was moved about (10) feet in the impact. Consumer was stopped, the vehicle that hit her was traveling around 50 MPH.”

   NHTSA complaint #804960, filed 1996-11
5. 5
   Engine cooling

   Overheating from cooling fan or coolant loss

   • 11 complaints (3%)
   • typically at 5.6 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2002

   Owners describe the radiator fan breaking or failing, leading to overheating and in some cases a stall. Other complaints mention coolant leaks, weak heater output traced to an intermittent coolant leak, and a mechanic suspecting a head gasket issue. Dealers typically recommended replacing the fan assembly or cooling components. Mileage is not consistently stated in these reports; several describe overheating while driving at normal speeds.

   What to check: Let the van idle until warm and confirm the radiator fan cycles on; check for coolant residue, low heater output, and coolant smell under the hood.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving radiator fan broke without warning, causing vehicle to overheat, and then vehicle stall. This could have caused a crash. Dealer said that consumer needs to replace the radiator fan assembly.”

   NHTSA complaint #865753, filed 2000-07

   “When driving at any speed and without prior warning vehicle shuts down. Consumer had vehicle towed to the shop, and the dealer can't determine the caus eof the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #846813, filed 1999-09

Buying note. Check the door hinges and frames carefully — repeat reports make this the costliest body issue to ignore — and test the transmission thoroughly on a cold start. Confirm recall 99V113000 paperwork and make sure the air bag light behaves correctly before buying.

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.