1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2000 Plymouth Voyager
View the Photo Gallery
View the Photo Gallery
1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager ▼
- Price Range: $1,100 - $3,700
Reviews & Ratings
Pricing
Explore
Specifications & Safety
Related to Plymouth Voyager
Related Reviews
View Another Vehicle
Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Antilock brakes
- Ride
- Passenger and cargo room
- Acceleration (3.3-, 3.8-liter)
Cons
- Wind noise
- Fuel economy
Vehicle Highlights
More aerodynamic in shape than their predecessors, the new Chrysler minivans could be equipped with a sliding door on the driver's side, and center and rear seats had built-in "Easy Out" rollers. All models had a sliding door on the passenger side, plus a one-piece rear liftgate. The Dodge Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country are nearly identical.Minivans came in standard Voyager and long wheelbase Grand Voyager body styles, each holding up to seven occupants. Plymouths came only in base and SE trim. Dual airbags and antilock braking were standard at first, but ABS became an option on base minivans during the 1996 model year. All models were front-drive. Base engine was a new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with dual camshafts. Two V6s were available: 3.0- and 3.3-liter, making 150 and 158 horsepower, respectively.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Plymouth Voyager SE 3.3-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 57 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager.
Year to Year Changes
1997 Plymouth Voyager:
Changes were few for 1997.
1998 Plymouth Voyager:
Rear bench seats added grocery bag hooks and an Expresso Decor package was added.
1999 Plymouth Voyager:
Plymouth added a 3.8-liter V6, already available on Caravan and Town & Country, to the Voyager for '99. Other changes included a small cargo net between the front seats, additional standard equipment, a child-safety seats in second-row buckets.
2000 Plymouth Voyager:
Air conditioning and 7-passenger seating became standard instead of optional. A rear-seat video entertainment system was newly available, dealer-installed on all models. During 2000, Voyagers adopted a Chrysler badge instead of Plymouth.
Our road test for the 1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
Quieter and even more carlike than before, these minivans handle more like large sedans than vans. Steering is light and precise, and the suspension provides stable cornering with only modest body lean. The suspension easily irons out most smaller rough spots, and the ride is comfortable overall. Performance with the 3.3-liter engine is quite strong, even in the longer Grand Voyager--provided that it's not loaded down with people and cargo. Even then, passing power is sufficient, making that engine a wise all-around choice for those who carry heavy loads or a full complement of passengers. The 4-cylinder engine is too weak for a vehicle of this weight, though acceleration is adequate with the smallest (3.0-liter) V6. Fuel economy is about average for a minivan. Well-designed and roomy inside, Voyager got a new dashboard with larger gauges and revised controls--closer to the driver than before. Occupants ride on supportive chair-height seats, while bigger windows and a lower dashboard improved visibility. Front seat travel also has increased, as has middle-row head room. A wider body also gives extra shoulder and hip space. Entry/exit also is easier, thanks to door sills that are 1.4 inches lower.
Value for the Money
Basically, you can hardly beat a Voyager or its Dodge near-twin in the minivan league. Most families are likely to appreciate that extra sliding door, so it's worth looking for a Voyager that has that option.
Basically, you can hardly beat a Voyager or its Dodge near-twin in the minivan league. Most families are likely to appreciate that extra sliding door, so it's worth looking for a Voyager that has that option.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Plymouth Voyager SE 3.3-liter Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 4 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 6 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 6 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 6 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 7 | |
| Value within Class | 8 | |
| Total Score: | 57 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Plymouth Voyager includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Plymouth Voyager .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Automatic transmission:
Transmission may shudder when accelerating from a stop, thump when coasting down to a stop, or slip when shifting. (1996)
Blower motor:
Blower motor quits working and a new resistor and wiring repair kit is required. (1996-97)
Blower motor:
Blower motors make a whine in low and second speed. (1996)
Brakes:
The antilock brakes may activate at speeds under 10 mph due to one or more faulty wheel speed sensors. (1996)
Dashboard lights:
The instrument cluster, mini-trip computer and/or compass may show incorrect information or go completely blank due to a bad relay for the heated backlight (window). (1997)
Doors:
Sliding door and/or liftgate power locks fail to lock or unlock both manually or electrically. (1996)
Engine fan:
The radiator fan may run after the key is turned off, or may not run leading to overheating because the fan relay attaching screws break and the relay overheats. (1996-97)
Engine noise:
Engine tapping noise on startup of V6 engines requires updated exhaust valve swivel pads. (1998-04)
Engine temperature:
Reprogramming the powertrain control module might correct overheating. (1997-98)
Rough idle:
Rough running in 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V6 might be due to broken pedestals in the cylinder heads. (1996)
Rough idle:
Vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter or 3.8-liter V6 may lose power and/or buck and miss. Problem can be fixed by disconnecting the knock sensor. (1996-97)
Vehicle noise:
A thud or thump when accelerating or stopping that comes from the rear is caused by fuel sloshing in the tank. A foam pad and strap kit does not always fix the problem. (1996-97)
Wipers:
Windshield wipers come on by themselves or fail to stop when the switch or key is turned off due to a problem with the multifunction switch on the column. (1996)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $490 |
| Alternator | $310 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,040 |
| Brakes | $390 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $605 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $385 |
| Exhaust System | $330 |
| Radiator | $480 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $330 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $230 |
Our price chart for this generation Plymouth Voyager details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2000 | |||
| Grand Voyager | $3,300-4,000 | $2,600-3,200 | $800-1,000 |
| Grand Voyager SE | $3,800-4,500 | $3,100-3,700 | $1,200-1,400 |
| Voyager | $2,800-3,500 | $2,100-2,600 | $600-800 |
| Voyager SE | $3,400-4,100 | $2,700-3,200 | $900-1,100 |
| 1999 | |||
| Grand SE, Expresso | $3,300-4,100 | $2,600-3,200 | $800-1,000 |
| Grand Voyager | $2,900-3,500 | $2,200-2,700 | $700-800 |
| Voyager | $2,400-3,000 | $1,700-2,200 | $500-600 |
| Voyager SE, Expresso | $3,000-3,700 | $2,300-2,800 | $700-900 |
| 1998 | |||
| Grand SE, Expresso | $2,900-3,600 | $2,200-2,700 | $700-800 |
| Grand Voyager | $2,500-3,100 | $1,800-2,300 | $500-700 |
| Voyager | $2,100-2,700 | $1,500-1,900 | $400-500 |
| Voyager SE, Expresso | $2,600-3,200 | $1,900-2,400 | $500-700 |
| 1997 | |||
| Grand SE, Expresso | $2,600-3,200 | $1,900-2,400 | $500-700 |
| Grand Voyager | $2,100-2,700 | $1,500-1,900 | $400-500 |
| Voyager | $1,800-2,300 | $1,200-1,600 | $300 |
| Voyager SE | $2,200-2,800 | $1,600-2,000 | $400-500 |
| 1996 | |||
| Grand SE, Expresso | $2,300-3,000 | $1,700-2,200 | $400-600 |
| Grand Voyager | $2,000-2,600 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
| Voyager | $1,600-2,100 | $1,100-1,400 | $200-300 |
| Voyager SE | $2,000-2,500 | $1,400-1,800 | $300-400 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Plymouth Voyager include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 3-door van | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 113.3 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 186.3 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 75.6 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 68.5 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3528 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 146.2 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 20.0 | |
| Seating Capacity | 7 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 39.8 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 41.2 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 38.1 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 35.8 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Voyagers initially came with any of three engines: a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, or two V6 sizes. A 3-speed automatic transmission had been standard with the 4-cylinder engine and the smallest (3.0-liter) V6. Models with the 3.3-liter engine, and all SE Voyagers, got a 4-speed automatic transmission with an overdrive gear ratio. In '99 Plymouth added the corporate 3.8-liter V6 to the lineup. It brought 180 horsepower to the game and came only with a 4-speed automatic.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc I4 | 2.4 / 148 | 150 | 167 | 3-speed automatic: 20/25 4-speed automatic: 18/25 |
3-speed automatic: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| ohc V6 | 3.0 / 181 | 150 | 176 | 3-speed automatic: 19/24 | 3-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv V6 | 3.3 / 201 | 158 | 203 | 4-speed automatic: 18/24 | 4-speed automatic: 16.7 |
| ohv V6 | 3.8 / 231 | 180 | 240 | 4-speed automatic: 18/24 | 4-speed automatic: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: USA, Canada
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Plymouth Voyager include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1999 Voyager |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 4 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 4 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1996 w/bench seats, from Windsor plant ("R" in 11th position of VIN):
Rear-seat bolts can fracture; in accident, seat could break away.
1996:
Fuel can leak from tank at interface of fuel pump module attachment.
1996:
On a few minivans, bolts holding integrated child seats can break.
1996:
Static charge could cause spark as tank is being filled; vapors could ignite.
1996:
Tank rollover valve can allow fuel to enter vapor canister, resulting in potential leakage and fire.
1996-97 w/integrated child seats:
Shoulder harness restraint on child seat can be difficult to release when latch plate becomes contaminated.
1996-98:
The clockspring may have been wound incorrectly, resulting in illumination of airbag warning light and possibly causing the driver's side airbag to not function. Dealer will insect and replace affected parts on vehicles with 70,000 miles or less.
1997 w/P215/65R15 Goodyear Conquest tires on steel wheels:
Tires were damaged and may lose pressure suddenly.
1997:
A few wheels were damaged during mounting.
1997:
Certain master cylinder seals will not seal adequately, allowing fluid to be drawn into power-assist reservoir.
1997:
The D-pillar mastic sound barrier patch could loosen and drop into the seatbelt assembly, rendering it inoperative.
1998 w/integrated child seats:
Shoulder harness webbing was incorrectly routed around reinforcement bar; can fail to restrain child properly.
1998-00:
Driver's airbag on some minivans may become disabled due to a failed clockspring in the steering-wheel hub; airbag warning lamp should illuminate.
1999 w/3.3-liter and 3.8-liter engines:
O-ring seals can degrade over time, allowing fuel leakage.
1999-2000:
Some trim material can slip into the rear outboard-seatbelt assembly and render the seatbelt inoperative.
Car Buying Resources
Search
Local Listings
Vehicle
History Report
FREE CARFAX Record Check
Looking at a used car, check for costly hidden problems before
you buy.
