VehicleVerdict

1988 Plymouth Voyager problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1988 Plymouth Voyager is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 109 owner complaints run below the Voyager median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Reports tied to this model year include 2 deaths and 12 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across latches & locks (24), body & structure (13), and engine (11), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

109

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

8

Investigations

8

Crash-involved

10

Fires reported

12

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1988 compare to other Voyager years?

Voyager NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted1,111 complaints1978: 1 complaints1980: 1 complaints1983: 7 complaints1984: 23 complaints1985: 38 complaints1986: 80 complaints1987: 99 complaints1988: 109 complaints1989: 204 complaints1990: 270 complaints1991: 624 complaints1992: 893 complaints1993: 749 complaints1994: 670 complaints1995: 476 complaints1996: 1,111 complaints1997: 474 complaints1998: 443 complaints1999: 362 complaints2000: 214 complaints
Voyager NHTSA complaints by model year, 1988 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Voyager years to avoid →

What are the most common 1988 Plymouth Voyager problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Latches & Locks2422%
Body & Structure1312%
Engine1110%
Other76%
Visibility & Wipers76%
Fuel System76%
Tires & Wheels66%
Steering66%
Seat Belts55%
Lighting44%
Electrical System44%
Speed Control33%
Transmission33%
Suspension33%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)22%
Seats22%
Brakes11%
Airbags11%

Does the 1988 Plymouth Voyager have recalls?

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

08E033000SuspensionApril 14, 2008 · 6,903 units

Defect

FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.

Consequence

THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.

95I001004Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 411,678 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.

95I001008Latches & LocksMarch 27, 1995 · 1,262,000 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. IN A COLLISION, THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY COULD OPEN.

Consequence

IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.

Remedy

CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.

88V107000Fuel SystemJuly 1, 1988 · 4,000 units

Defect

FUEL TANKS MAY BE CONSTRUCTED OF IMPROPER MATERIAL.

Consequence

FUEL COULD LEAK AT THE TANK SEAM WHICH, IN PRESENCE OFAN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE SUSPECT FUEL TANKS.

88V010000Fuel SystemJanuary 26, 1988 · 375 units

Defect

FUEL TANKS MAY HAVE BEEN DAMAGED DURING TANK MANUFACTURE.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE WITH THE POTENTIAL FORA FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE FUEL TANKS AS NECESSARY.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WIFE DRIFTED OFF ROAD UPON RETURNING LOSS CONTROL, LEFT FRONT WHEEL FOLDED, AND ROLLED, TAILGATE POPPED OPEN. 2 CHILDREN 1 DEATH AND 1 BROKEN FEMUR ETC. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · December 31, 1989 · crash

“REAR HATCH DOOR SUPPORT RODS SNAPPED PREVENTING LIFTGATE TO STAY UP/OPEN WHEN USING. REAR LIFTGATE OPENS WHILE DRIVING. PLEASE DESCRIBE EACH DETAIL. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · April 6, 1995

“ALL 3.0 LITER , 6 CYLINDER ENGINES IN CHRYSLER/PLYMOUTH VANS MANUFACTURED IN 1988 ARE FAILING AFTER APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES DUE TO VALVE SEALS/BUSHINGS MALFUNCTIONING, SOME EVEN DROPPING DOWN INTO CYLINDERS. THERE IS ALSO EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND SEVERE AIR POLLUTION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 15, 1996

“WHILE DRIVING WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VISUAL DIFFICULTY WHICH MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD MOTOR AND PIVOT ARMS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 1, 1998

“VEHICLE HAS NO ACCELERATION DUE TO FUEL SYSTEM. FUEL PUMP CHANGED (5) TIMES WITH NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System

1988 Plymouth Voyager — common questions

Is the 1988 Plymouth Voyager reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 109 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Voyager year, with 5 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 1988 Voyager problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are latches & locks (24 complaints), body & structure (13 complaints), engine (11 complaints).

Does the 1988 Plymouth Voyager have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1988 Plymouth Voyager. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1988 Plymouth Voyager under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 8 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Plymouth Voyager years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Voyager years to avoid are 1996, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1991, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999. The cleanest record among Voyager years belongs to 1980.

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.