VehicleVerdict

1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 366 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.0 times the median Grand Voyager year — the 1997 model ranks #3 of 19 Grand Voyager years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 26 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (53), electrical system (52), and transmission (51), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

366

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

6

Investigations

24

Crash-involved

24

Fires reported

26

Injuries

3

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 1997 compare to other Grand Voyager years?

See all Grand Voyager years to avoid →

What are the most common 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine5314%
Electrical System5214%
Transmission5114%
Airbags4813%
Fuel System247%
Steering226%
Speed Control175%
Visibility & Wipers164%
Seat Belts144%
Body & Structure134%
Brakes123%
Suspension103%
Tires & Wheels72%
Child Seat62%
Other62%
Lighting51%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)41%
Seats41%
Latches & Locks21%

Does the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

02V293000AirbagsNovember 7, 2002 · 1,500,521 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN WOUND INCORRECTLY DURING THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY PROCESS.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION WILL MANIFEST ITSELF THROUGH ILLUMINATION OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP, AND COULD EVENTUALLY RESULT IN A DRIVER'S AIR BAG OPEN CIRCUIT, IF THE PART IS NOT REPLACED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CLOCKSPRING ASSEMBLY ON ALL VEHICLES WITH 70,000 MILES OR LESS. AN EXTENDED LIFETIME WARRANTY WILL ALSO BE PLACED ON THIS COMPONENT FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES, REGARDLESS OF MILEAGE. DAIMLERCHRYSLER WILL ALSO REIMBURSE OWNERS WHO HAVE PAID TO HAVE THE CLOCKSPRING REPLACED ON THEIR VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 18, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

00V268000Fuel SystemSeptember 13, 2000 · 1,163,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS BUILT WITH 3.3L AND 3.8L ENGINES HAVE FUEL RAILS WITH NITROLE RUBBER O-RING SEALS THAT CAN DEGRADE OVER TIME. FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE UNDERHOOD FUEL INJECTION FUEL RAIL COULD RESULT, INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF A VEHICLE FIRE.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SEAL ON THE VEHICLE FUEL RAILS TO PREVENT EXTERNAL LEAKAGE OF FUEL FROM THE FUEL RAIL CROSSOVER TUBE, SHOULD THE EXISTING O-RINGS CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JANUARY 25, 2002. DUE TO THE LARGE QUANTITY OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN, THE OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

98V185000Child SeatAugust 6, 1998 · 157,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINI VANS EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRATED CHILD SEATS. THE SHOULDER HARNESS RESTRAINT ON THE INTEGRATED CHILD SEAT CAN BECOME DIFFICULT TO EXTRACT WHEN THE SAFETY BELT LATCH PLATE BECOMES CONTAMINATED.

Consequence

THIS CAN CAUSE DIFFICULTY IN RELEASING A CHILD FROM THE RESTRAINT.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL CLEAN THE LATCH MECHANISM. AN EXTENDER WILL BE ADDED TO THE EMERGENCY RELEASE ANCHOR FOR THE CHILD SEAT SAFETY BELTS SO THAT THE RELEASE CLIPS ARE MORE VISIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE TO THE OPERATOR IN THE EVENT THAT THE RETRACTOR MECHANISM CAN NOT BE UNLOCKED. IN ADDITION, AN INSTRUCTIONAL OWNER'S MANUAL SUPPLEMENT CARD WILL BE PROVIDED.

97V200000Tires & WheelsNovember 13, 1997 · 25,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH P215/65R15 GOODYEAR CONQUEST TIRES MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEEL. THE TIRES CAN EXPERIENCE A SUDDEN AIR PRESSURE LOSS WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence

SUDDEN TIRE FAILURE COULD RESULT IN A LOSS OF DRIVER CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TIRES THAT WERE MOUNTED ON STEEL WHEELS.

97I001000Seat BeltsOctober 24, 1996 · 150,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTEGRAL CHILD SEATS. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL IN ACCORDANCE WITH FEDERAL REGULATION 573. HOWEVER, IT IS DEEMED A SAFETY IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN BY THE AGENCY. ON THE INTEGRAL CHILD SEAT, THE SHOULDER BELTS RESTRAINING THE CHILD RETRACT AND LOCK IN PLACE AFTER THE BELT BUCKLE IS CONNECTED TO THE LATCH PLATE. THE LATCH PLATE MOVEMENT LOCKS THE BELTS TO MAKE SURE THE CHILD IS RESTRAINED IN THE CASE OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Consequence

THE LATCH PLATE LOCATED IN THE SEAT CUSHION AREA MUST BE FREE TO MOVE BACK AGAINST ITS STOP AFTER THE BUCKLE IS REMOVED TO ALLOW THE SHOULDER BELTS TO BE PULLED OUT. ALWAYS BE SURE THE AREA AROUND THE LATCH PLATE IS FREE OF FOOD OR OTHER ITEMS THAT MIGHT PREVENT THE LATCH PLATE FROM MOVING BACK.

Remedy

OWNERS ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH A VIDEO TAPE AND 2 HARNESS CLIPS. THE VIDEO TAPE INSTRUCTS OWNERS ON THE PROPER USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE CHILD SEATS.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PLYMOUTH GRAND VOYAGER. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RUNNING FOR APPROXIMATELY TEN MINUTES WHEN THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SOON AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS FAILURE ON PLYMOUTHS WITH A DIFFERENT SIZE ENGINE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE, RECALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 16, 2007 · fire

ENGINE AND AIR CONDITIONER WERE RUNNING. CONSUMER TURNED OFF ENGINE, BUT NOT AIR CONDITIONER. CONSUMER LATER TRIED TO START THE VEHICLE, BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE CONSUMER HAD GOTTEN OUT, AND SAW FLAMES UNDER THE HOOD. THE WIRES UNDER FUSE BLOCK WERE BURNING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO PUT FIRE OUT.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 29, 2002 · fire

THE CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY IT DRIFTED FORWARD ON ITS OWN AND CRASHED INTO THE WALL IN GARAGE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO GET IN THE VEHICLE AND PUT SHIFT INDICATOR DOWN IN ORDER TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP ROLLING. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 11, 1998 · crash

WHEN VAN WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER'S FRONT AIR BAG. ALSO, HORN DOES NOT WORK, REMOTE ENTRY ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT WORK, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, FUEL GAUGES DOES NOT WORK, A/C HEATER BLINK ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · crash

WHEN VAN WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE PASSENGER'S FRONT AIR BAG. ALSO, HORN DOES NOT WORK, REMOTE ENTRY ON DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR DOES NOT WORK, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON, FUEL GAUGES DOES NOT WORK, A/C HEATER BLINK ON…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · crash

1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager — common questions

Is the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 366 complaints put the 1997 model at #3 of 19 Grand Voyager years. It is one of the Grand Voyager years to avoid.

What are the most common 1997 Grand Voyager problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (53 complaints), electrical system (52 complaints), transmission (51 complaints).

Does the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 6 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Plymouth Grand Voyager years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Voyager years to avoid are 1996, 1998, 1997, 1993, 1992, 1999, 1994, 1991, 2000. The cleanest record among Grand Voyager years belongs to 1986.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.