2001-2003 Chrysler Voyager Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

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

2001-2003 Chrysler Voyager Review

New styling and more powerful engines marked the 2001 Voyager, the lower-priced cousin to Chrysler's Town & Country minivan. Wheelbase was unchanged from 2000, though the Voyager was limited to the 113.3-inch chassis while the Town & Country rode an extended-length span. As in the past, Dodge Caravans shared this design and most mechanical features. Caravans also were redesigned for 2001, in both regular- and extended-length models. New wraparound taillamps were installed, and headlights were 50-percent larger. These minivans were about 2 inches wider than the 1996-2000 models, with regular-length versions about 3 inches longer overall. Voyagers came in base and LX trim, both with front-wheel drive. A four-cylinder engine was standard in the base Voyager, and was unchanged from the 2000 power ratings. A 3.3-liter V6 was optional in the base Voyager, and standard in the Voyager LX. The V6 increased from 158 to 180 horsepower this year. The four-cylinder engine teamed with a three-speed automatic transmission, while the V6 worked with a four-speed unit. Antilock brakes were optional on base Voyagers, and standard on the LX. All models seat seven and have two sliding side doors, with power operation for the passenger-side door available for LX minivans. Alterations inside included new dashboards, and a center console with an internal power outlet and the capability of being mounted between the front or second-row seats. Dashboard airbags gained dual-stage inflators. Front side airbags (a first for these vans) were optional. An available in-dash four-disc CD player also was new. Unlike the Honda Odyssey and Mazda MPV, the third-row bench seat does not fold away into the floor, but Chrysler did offer a new 50-50 split third-row bench; each portion weighs 55 pounds and removes individually, and can also recline or fold flat. Rivals included the Chevrolet Venture, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna, and Ford Windstar. Following the demise of Plymouth, Voyager had joined Town & Country in the Chrysler-brand stable late in 1999.

Year to Year Changes

2002 Chrysler Town & Country and Voyager: Either a VCR or a DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system could now be dealer-installed in Voyagers. This year's lineup included a high-value entry-level model called the eC, as well as base and LX editions. All Voyagers now used a four-speed automatic transmission.

2003 Chrysler Town & Country and Voyager: Power-adjustable brake and accelerator pedals were scheduled to join the options list during the 2003 model year. Antilock braking remained optional for the Voyager LX, but was no longer available for base-model Voyagers.

2001-2003 Chrysler Voyager Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger room	Fuel economy

Entry/exit	Acceleration (4-cyl)

Interior storage space

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

Considering a Voyager? Then go for the 3.3-liter V6, which furnishes the power required by a vehicle this size. Fuel economy is less than frugal with either engine. Otherwise, the Voyager offers many of the benefits of Chrysler's larger Town & Country minivan, and its Dodge Grand Caravan counterpart, for significantly fewer dollars. Still, there are important differences between the two Chrysler models, apart from their size. Both versions are carlike and friendly, roomy and comfortable, with good steering feel. Ride quality is better in a Town & Country, but the Voyager isn't harsh. Bigger wheels and tires give the Town & Country an edge over Voyager in handling and roadholding. Because of its shorter wheelbase, the Voyager tends to be jumpier, and less forgiving when rolling through bad pavement. Stopping power with the Voyager is adequate, though short of the Town & Country's with its antilock four-wheel disc setup. Voyagers rank as average in noise suppression, whereas the Town & Country is among the quietest minivans. Voyager owners can expect a fine driving position. The Voyager's shorter wheelbase results in just-adequate leg room in the second- and third-row positions, and in unexceptional cargo space with all seats in place. Third-row seats remove easily, but are less convenient than back seats in minivans with stowable seating. The available power side door's manual-override function is a surprising convenience. It stops and reverses direction quickly when encountering an obstruction. Chrysler's revamped dashboard moved controls closer to the driver, but the front cupholders block access to the in-dash CD changer.

Value for the Money
DaimlerChrysler's multimodel lineup has handily dominated the American minivan market. Soon after the fourth-generation models reached dealerships, they accounted for 62 percent of sales under $20,000 and 37 percent of those over $30,000. That's compelling testimony to the appeal of the entry-level Voyager and the luxury Town & Country. Both versions, bolstered by the 2001 redesign, now rank as stronger values than ever, even in the wake of increased minivan competition.

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

chrysler Voyager LX w/3.3-liter V6	Rating

Performance	2

Fuel Economy	4

Ride Quality	4

Steering/Handling/Braking	4

Quietness	4

Controls/Materials	6

Interior Room	7

Room/Comfort (rear)	6

Cargo Capacity	8

Value within Class	7

Total:	52

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.

2001-2003 Chrysler 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.

Air conditioner: The A/C compressor may fail, causing a squealing or missing drive belt. The compressor fails from not turning on the rear A/C controls, but running only the front. After the A/C parts are replaced, the body- control computer requires reprogramming. (2001)

Doors: Loose weather strip tricks the power sliding door into thinking there is an obstruction making it misbehave during opening or closing. The weather strip must be replaced. (2001-02)

Engine stalling: The engine may lose power or stall, especially when the temperature is below freezing, requiring replacement of if the throttle-position sensor. (2001-02)

Fuel gauge: The fuel gauge may drop below the actual level while driving, but may return to the correct reading after sitting for about 10 minutes due to a kinked hose at the leak-detection pump filter. (2001-02)

Suspension noise: Knocking or squawking sounds from the front suspension are corrected by replacing the sway-bar links. (2001)

Water leak: Some early production (prior to April 2001) vehicles may have a serpentine belt that squeals of jumps off (in cold weather) the pulley caused by water leaking from the wiper module drain tube. In cold weather ice forms on the pulley. (2001)

Water leak: A wet passenger-side carpet is often due to condensation from the A/C drain tube blowing back into the passenger compartment. Replacing the tube with a longer one corrects the problem. (2001-02)

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	$415

Alternator	$535

Automatic Transmission or Transaxle	$1,620

Brakes	$440

Constant Velocity Joints	$990

Exhaust System	$415

Radiator	$395

Shocks and/or Struts	$1,500

Timing Chain or Belt	$180

NHTSA Recall History

2001-02: Condensation from air conditioning ducts may drop through vent holes in top of radio, resulting in short-circuit that could lead to speaker fire.

2002: Some owner's manuals are missing instructions for installing child seats. Owners will be provided with an addendum to the owners manual.

2002-03: w/V6 engine: Upper power steering cooler hose on some minivans may split and cause fluid leakage, which could result in underhood fire.

2001-2003 Chrysler Voyager Prices

Prices	Good	Average	Poor

2001
Voyager	$4,000-4,700	$3,300-3,900	$1,300-1,500
Voyager LX	$4,700-5,400	$3,900-4,500	$1,800-2,100

2002
Voyager	$4,700-5,700	$3,900-4,800	$1,800-2,200
Voyager LX	$5,800-6,500	$5,000-5,700	$2,400-2,700

2003
Voyager	$5,700-6,600	$4,900-5,700	$2,300-2,700
Voyager LX	$6,800-7,700	$6,100-6,900	$3,200-3,600

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.

2001-2003 Chrysler Voyager Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	4-door van

Wheelbase, in.	113.3

Overall Length, in.	189.1

Overall Width, in.	78.6

Overall Height, in.	68.9

Curb Weight, lbs.	3869

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	142.3

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	20.0

Seating Capacity	7

Front Head Room, in.	39.8

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	40.6

Rear Head Room, in.	39.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.6

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

A 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine went into base-model Voyagers, while the Voyager LX got a 3.3-liter V6. The V6 engine also was optional for the base model. Both engines drove a four-speed automatic transmission, except in the Voyager's first season, when four-cylinder models used a three-speed unit.

Engines	Size liters / cu. in	Horse- power	Torque	Transmission: EPA city/hgwy	Consumer Guide Observed

dohc I4	2.4 / 153	150	167	3-speed automatic: 20/26 4-speed automatic: 20/24	3-speed automatic: -- 4-speed automatic: --

ohv V6	3.3 / 202	180	210	4-speed automatic: 18/24	4-speed automatic: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Vehicle crash test information not available at this time.

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: USA

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

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Also in the 2001-2003 Chrysler Voyager Review:

Chrysler Voyager

Chrysler Voyager Road Test

Chrysler Voyager Reliability

Chrysler Voyager Prices

Chrysler Voyager Specs & Safety

Chrysler Voyager Photos

Chrysler Voyager Full Review