1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Our in-depth review covers everything you need to know about this generation Plymouth Voyager. Get the latest news, find a local dealer, and get a free price quote for this generation Plymouth Voyager.

1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager Review

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.

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.

1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager Road Test

Pros	Cons

Antilock brakes	Fuel economy

Ride	Wind noise

Passenger and cargo room

Acceleration (3.3-, 3.8-liter)

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.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

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:	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.

1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager Reliability

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 motors make a whine in low and second speed. (1996)

Blower motor: Blower motor quits working and a new resistor and wiring repair kit is required. (1996-97)

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: 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)

Rough idle: Rough running in 3.3-liter and 3.8-liter V6 might be due to broken pedestals in the cylinder heads. (1996)

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

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.

1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

1996
Grand SE, Expresso	$2,500-3,200	$1,800-2,300	$500-700
Grand Voyager	$2,100-2,700	$1,500-1,900	$400-500
Voyager	$1,700-2,300	$1,100-1,500	$300
Voyager SE	$2,100-2,600	$1,500-1,800	$400-500

1997
Grand SE, Expresso	$2,700-3,400	$2,000-2,600	$600-700
Grand Voyager	$2,300-2,900	$1,700-2,100	$400-600
Voyager	$2,000-2,600	$1,400-1,800	$300-400
Voyager SE	$2,400-3,000	$1,700-2,200	$500-600

1998
Grand SE, Expresso	$3,100-3,800	$2,400-3,000	$700-900
Grand Voyager	$2,700-3,400	$2,000-2,600	$600-700
Voyager	$2,300-2,900	$1,700-2,100	$400-600
Voyager SE, Expresso	$2,800-3,500	$2,100-2,600	$600-800

1999
Grand SE, Expresso	$3,600-4,400	$2,900-3,500	$1,000-1,200
Grand Voyager	$3,100-3,800	$2,400-3,000	$700-900
Voyager	$2,600-3,200	$1,900-2,400	$500-700
Voyager SE, Expresso	$3,200-3,900	$2,500-3,000	$800-1,000

2000
Grand Voyager	$3,600-4,300	$2,900-3,400	$1,000-1,200
Grand Voyager SE	$4,300-5,000	$3,600-4,200	$1,500-1,700
Voyager	$3,000-3,700	$2,300-2,800	$700-900
Voyager SE	$3,700-4,400	$3,000-3,600	$1,100-1,300

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.

1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager Specs & Safety

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	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	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.

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%. Side-impact 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%.

Built In: Canada, USA

Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

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Also in the 1996-2000 Plymouth Voyager Review:

Plymouth Voyager

Plymouth Voyager Road Test

Plymouth Voyager Reliability

Plymouth Voyager Prices

Plymouth Voyager Specs & Safety

Plymouth Voyager Photos

Plymouth Voyager Full Review