VehicleVerdict

1989 Plymouth Voyager problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 1989 Plymouth Voyager is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 5 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 204 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 35 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across latches & locks (43), transmission (36), and body & structure (34), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

204

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

10

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

35

Injuries

2

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1989 compare to other Voyager years?

Voyager NHTSA complaints by model year, 1989 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, 1989 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Voyager years to avoid →

What are the most common 1989 Plymouth Voyager problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Latches & Locks4321%
Transmission3618%
Body & Structure3417%
Engine2010%
Seat Belts178%
Seats115%
Brakes73%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Other63%
Electrical System63%
Speed Control52%
Fuel System42%
Steering31%
Tires & Wheels21%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Suspension10%
Child Seat10%
Lighting10%

Does the 1989 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.

91V053000Seat BeltsApril 10, 1991 · 640,000 units

Defect

INBOARD FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY STRAPS CAN SUFFER FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE STRAP NEAR ITS ANCHOR POSITION.

Consequence

FATIGUE FAILURE OF SAFETY BELTS IN A SUDDEN STOP ORACCIDENT CONDITION RESULTS IN INCREASED LIKELIHOOD OF INJURY TO SEAT OCCUPANT.

Remedy

REPLACE FATIGUED STRAPS OR RETROFIT STRAPS WITH A REINFORCEMENT PLATE AND REMOVAL OF AN ANTIROTATION TAB TO PREVENT FATIGUE FAILURE.

89V237000EngineDecember 27, 1989 · 634,000 units

Defect

THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.

Consequence

THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.

Remedy

REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“REAR LIFTGATE HATCH OPEN AFTER BEING BROADSIDED IN ACCIDENT. REPEATED CLOSINGS TO SHUT LIFTGATE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Latches & Locks · May 13, 1994 · crash

“VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH ENGINE RUNNING AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY WENT FORWARD. IT WENT THROUGH GARAGE DOOR AND HIT THE HOUSE. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 500.00, DAMAGE TO HOUSE WAS $ 1500.00.*AK *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 9, 2001 · crash

“THE WELDS HOLDING GAS CYLINDER STRUTS BROKE OR FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THIS ALLOWED THE STRUTS TO PENETRATE THE PASSENGER SIDE COMPARTMENT. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS TOLD IT IS A BODY PROBLEM. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · March 22, 1998

“CONSUMER JUST PARKED VEHICLE AND A FEW MINUTES LATER VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID THAT FIRE STARTED AT ENGINE.*AK *SLC ”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 7, 2001 · fire

“UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE OFF AT BASE WHERE BOLTS INTO FLOOR; VEHICLE BROADSIDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE MOVING SLOWLY. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · July 3, 1995 · crash

1989 Plymouth Voyager — common questions

Is the 1989 Plymouth Voyager reliable?

It is close to typical for the Voyager: 204 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 10 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1989 Voyager problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are latches & locks (43 complaints), transmission (36 complaints), body & structure (34 complaints).

Does the 1989 Plymouth Voyager have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 1989 Plymouth Voyager. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1989 Plymouth Voyager under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 10 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.