FaultScore

1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager steering problems

31 of the 922 complaints about the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager are about the steering — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 27,300 miles.

B

31

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Hydraulic Power Assist System 11 35.5%
Steering Wheel/Handle BAR 7 22.6%
Steering 6 19.4%
Rack AND Pinion 3 9.7%
Pump 1 3.2%
Gear BOX (Other Than Rack AND Pinion) 1 3.2%
Anti-Theft Device 1 3.2%
Idler AND Attachment 1 3.2%

Steering across every Plymouth Grand Voyager year

1992 14 11.3%
1993 10 8.1%
1994 10 8.1%
1996 31 25.0%
1997 22 17.7%
1998 10 8.1%
1999 27 21.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 600 miles Cortland, NY

STEERING

TRANSMISSION PUMP, IS OUT NOW, SPECKLED PAINT ON HOOD AND TOP, SIDES, BACK, VIBRATION IN FRONT END STEERING, LOUD NOISES, CREAKS AND MAKES LOTS OF NOISES, BACK DOOR ON RIGHT SIDE WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK. I NEED HELP WITH ALL OF THESE PROBLEMS. THE ITEMS REPAIRED WAS BY A FRIEND MECHANIC.

NHTSA complaint #10069894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,000 miles SUN Prairie, WI

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

THE TRANSMISSION AND BELT TENSIONER FAILED, THE AXLE HAD BROKEN, THE HORN, WIPERS, AND CRUISE CONTROL FAILED. THE A/C HAD GONE OUT ALONG WITH THE CONDENSER. THERE WAS FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE POWER STEERING RACK & PINION, THE VEHICLE HAD GONE DEAD. AS A RESULT THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10006177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Jose, CA

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING COLUMN CLOCKSPRING FAILED RENDERED THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND HORN NON-OPERATIONAL. - SAFETY COMPONENTS FAILED. THIS IS ACOMMON OCCURRENCE FOR 1996 TO 2000 CHRYSLER MINIVANS. PLEASE REQUIRE A SAFETY RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #766983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Babylon, NY

STEERING:LINKAGES:ARM:IDLER AND ATTACHMENT

AIRBAG READINESS LIGHT CAME ON AND HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING SIMULTANEOUSLY. CANNOT GET COMPLETE NY STATE INSPECTION WITHOUT WORKING HORN! IS THIS A RECALL ITEM YET???

NHTSA complaint #757446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Durham, NC

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

SINCE PURCHASE IN 1996, THE ABS FAILURE LIGHT HAS REPEATEDLY COME ON. THERE IS ALMOST ALWAYS SOME TYPE OF "BUZZING SOUND" WHEN THIS OCCURS. THERE HAVE BEEN REPEATED REPAIRS WHICH WERE DONE UNDER WARRANTY AND FOR WHICH I PAID. EACH TIME, IT WAS INDICATEDTO ME THAT THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF "YOKE" AROUND THE STEERING COLUMN NEAR THE FIREWALL WHICH 'HAD TO BE REPLACED'. NOW, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE BUZZING AND LIGHT EVENT(S) OCCUR INSTANTLY, WITH THE ABS LIGHT STAYING ON WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. I'VE BEEN TOLD 'NOT TO WORRY' BY THE DEALER SINCE I STILL HAVE BRAKES. YES, I HAVE CONVENTIONAL BRAKES REMAINING, BUT I ALSO HAVE A NOTICABLE DECREASE IN BRAKING ABILITY, ESPECIALLY IN 'SHORT STOP' CONDITIONS. THE ISSUE I HAVE WITH THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS SEEMS TO GO HAND IN HAND WITH THIS ABS PROBLEM. THE WIPERS JUST 'COME ON' ON BEAUTIFUL, SUNNY DAYS. I HAVE MADE ALL THE TRIPS I INTEND TO MAKE TO A SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHICH TELLS ME THIS ISN'T COVERED BY WARRANTY. EITHER THERE IS A TRUE DEFECT OR SOMEONE DOES NOT HAVE THE COMPETENCE TO FIX THE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #752406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

South Wales, NY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

SERPENTINE BELT TENSIONER BOLT SHEARED OFF, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING/ ENGINE COOLING/ AND ALTERNATOR FUNCTION. VERY DIFFICULT TO REPAIR AS TO LIMITED ENGINE COMPARTMENT CLEARANCE.

NHTSA complaint #749429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hamburg, NJ

STEERING

CONSUMER HAD FRONT END PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE, NOISE MOSTLY. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD BANG, VEHICLE BEGAN STRUT HOUSING BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE STABILISER LINK BROKE OFF, CAUSING IT TO CUT INTO TIRE. NO FLAT. STRUTS HAD BEEN REPLACED TWICE PRIOR TO THIS .*AK STUTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF SIX TIMES AS WELL AS FRONT COIL SPRING, ALSO WHEN GAS TANK WAS FULL IT LEAKED ONTO THE GROUND FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED, STEERING MAKES A NOISE WHEN TURNING, SUSPENSION MAKES A LOT OF NOISE, WHEEL BEARING MSKING A NOSIE,RACK AND PINION WAS REPLACED, VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT,SWAYAR LINKS WERE REPLACED,CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED,WHEN A/C IS ON THE COMPRESSOR ENGAGES LOUD SOUND,WINDSHIELD FALLING APART,ROTORS WERE REPLACED,INTERMITTENLY WIPERS TURN ON BY THEMSELVES, ENGINE MAKES A SEVER NOISE,STABILIZER BAR BROKE.

NHTSA complaint #892712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, OH

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF POWER ASSIST STEERING SYSTEM AT LOW SPEED. HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT MFG. HAS THIS PROBLEM ON A "STAR LIST" BUT NOT CURRENTLY ON RECALL. COST OF REPAIR/REPLACEMENT SIGNIFICANT. POSSIBILITY OF CATASTROPHIC/FATAL ACCIDENT DUE TO STEERING FAILURE SIGNIFICANT. NOT A HAPPY CUSTOMER. MANUFACTURERS CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER NOT HELPFUL IN RESOLVING PROBLEM OF MAJOR EQUIPMENT FAILURE AT RELATIVELY EARLY POINT IN LIFE OF VEHICLE. I INTEND TO RAISE A FUSS.

NHTSA complaint #744305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Short Hills, NJ

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS INOPERABLE.

NHTSA complaint #742709 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Killeen, TX

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

WHEN DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR WHEN GOING OVER RAIN PUDDLES STEERING WHEEL LOCKS UP AND MAKES IT HARD TO CONTOL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #874613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mannsville, NY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

REAR HEATER LINES AND POWER STEERING PUMP RUSTED OUT. UNACCEPTABLE ON A 4 YEAR OLD CAR. CHRYSLER WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #730507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Mannsville, NY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

REAR HEATER LINES AND POWER STEERING PUMP RUSTED OUT. UNACCEPTABLE ON A 4 YEAR OLD CAR. CHRYSLER WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA complaint #730507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cohoes, NY

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

INTERMITTENTLY STEERING WHEEL STICKS. DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #868609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tierra Verde, FL

STEERING:COLUMN LOCKING:ANTI-THEFT DEVICE

I HAVE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A RADIATOR FAN RELAY, WHICH IS NOT MENTIONED ON YOUR SITE. TODAY, I FOUND A NEW LEAK OF TRANSMISSION FLUID, THE RED LIGHTS ARE AGAIN FLASHING ON AND OFF, THERE ARE POWER SURGES IN THE CONTROL PANELS, THE ENGINE CHOKES AND SHUDDERS. OH, AND THE A/C IS OUT AGAIN. WE WON'T EVEN MENTION THE WINDHIELD WIPERS WHICH HAVE CONTINUALLY GONE ON AND OFF SINCE WE HAVE OWNED THIS CAR, OR THE AIRBAG ALARMS, OR THE INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE HAVE PUT INTO THIS MAINTAINED CAR. MY 20,000 CAR HAS BECOME A 40,000 LEMON. THERE IS SIMPLY NO EXCUSE FOR THIS, MILEAGE OR NOT. I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO KEEP THIS CAR BECAUSE I WANTED A "SAFE" CAR FOR MY TEENAGERS TO DRIVE. NOW, IT APPEARS I HAVE THEM DRIVING THE PINTO OF THE 1990'S. I THOUGHT I WAS KEEPING MY KIDS SAFE!! WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED, I HAD THE CAR TAKEN TO AN NON DEALER BECUASE I AM FED UP WITH THEIR ATTITUDES...WHAT DO YOU EXPECT AT 100,000 MILES, ETC. WHEN THE FIRST DIAGNOSTIC WAS RAN ON THE CAR, A BEWILDERING ARRAY OF CODES CAME UP. AFTER CHANGING THE SPARK PLUGS, ALL OF THE CODES DISSAPEARED. HOWEVER, THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCREASED IN INTENSITY, AND NOW I'M AFRAID MY DAUGHER WILL GO UP IN A FIREBALL. I ALREADY ASSUME THERE WILL BE NO RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER....I AM GOING TO CONSIDER A SUIT AS I CONSIDER THESE CARS DANGEROUS! FUEL LEAKS, STATIC CHARGE BUILDUPS? COME ON!

NHTSA complaint #717944 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

APO, NY Crash 1 injured 1 killed

STEERING

DURING NORMAL LATE-MORNING OPERATION IN LIGHT RAIN, VEHICLE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY IN A SLIGHT LEFT TURN. VEHICLE REPORTED TO SUDDENLY BEGIN INERTIAL PIVOT COUNTERCLOCKWISE AND BEGAN TRAVELING SIDEWISE IN DIRECTION OF TRAVEL. VEHICLE CROSSED CENTER LINE AND STRUCK FARM TRACTOR. VAN WAS ORIENTED PERPENDICULAR TO DIRECTION OF TRAVEL AND STRUCK WITH PASSENGER SIDE LEADING. FARM TRACTOR WAS STRUCK HEADON. VAN DRIVER WAS THROWN SIDEWAYS, SUFFERING BROKEN UPPER RIGHT ARM AND BROKEN NECK; DEAD ON IMPACT. FARMER SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS. LOCATION OF ACCIDENT: HW B417 BETWEEN CITY OF BAD WINDSHEIM AND VILLAGE OF ILLESHEIM, BAVARIA, GERMANY. DECEDENT WAS SPOUSE OF SERVICEMEMBER LIVING IN GERMANY ON OFFICIAL ORDERS.

NHTSA complaint #715476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EWA Beach, HI

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

REPORTED STEERING PROBLEM IN JUL 98. DEALER SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE FAILURE. DEALER WAS CUTTER CHRYSLER JEEP OF WAIPAHU. IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. NOW THE STEERING IS LOCKING-UP (INTERMITTENTLY) WHEN I GO OVER A SPEED BUMP, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED BY THE SAME DEALER ON 24 JUL 98 AS A MALFUNCTIONED SWITCH THAT WAS ON RECALL AND THEY REPLACED IT AS A GOODWILL REPAIR BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BY MILEAGE ONLY. IT ONCE AGIAN IS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. BOTH OF THESE I FEEL ARE TRAFFIC SAFETY CONCERNS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD RESEARCH AND CORRECT IMMEDIATELY. THE POWER DISTRIBUTION CENTER I BELIEVE IS INTERMITTENTLY SHORTING OUT AND CAUSING MANY SMALL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LIKE RADIO WORKS, THEN DOESN'T, LIGHTS GO ON BY THEMSELVES, AND THINGS LIKE THAT. ONCE AGAIN I FEEL THAT IF LEFT UNCORRECTED THIS MAY ALSO POSE A POTENTIAL TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUE. ALL THREE FAILURES I FEEL ARE BASED ON VEHICLE PRODUCTION LINE PROBLEMS THAT MAY BE AFFECTING MANY VEHICLES IN THE SAME MANNER. PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND EFFORT ON MY ISSUES AND CONCERNS. SINCERELY, LOUIS C. MARTINEZ.

NHTSA complaint #713639 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Albany, NY

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

ENGINE SHUTS DOWN REPEATEDLY WHEN DECELERATING; LOSS OF POWER STEERING, BRAKES; MAY OR MAY NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. O2 SENSOR, BATTERY, IGNITION CABLES, BELT DRIVE & TENSIONER, 60K SERVICE, 3 SERVICE VISITS: PROBLEM STILL OCCURS, BUT LESS OFTEN. TWICE, NEARLY LOST CONTROL AS PS & PBS FAILED IN A TURN; ENGINE SHUTS DOWN PARTICULARLY WHILE DECELERATING OR BRAKING, AS IN TURNS AND AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. WORSE WHEN AC WAS ON. SOUNDS TO ME AS IF AN IGNITION CONTROLLER SHUTS DOWN UNDER LOW VOLTAGE ("BROWN-OUT") CONDITIONS.

NHTSA complaint #713011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Middletown, RI

STEERING

WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A RIGHT OR LEFT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MAKE A LOUD NOISE. ALSO, LOSS OF STEERING.PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #843866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kaneohe, HI

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

ON 3 OCCASIONS THE STEERING STOPPED WORKING. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE DIRECTION OF THE VEHICLE. IT LASTED APPROX 2SECONDS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS A DRIP FROM THE AIR CONDITIONER IS CAUSING THIS AND THAT THE SERVICE BULLETIN TELLS THEM TO ADD AN AC SPOUT, AND AUTO TENSIONER AND A BELT (SERP.?). THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND APPEARS TO BE IN QUANTITIES THAT MAKES THE SERVICE PEOPLE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #709421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Austin, TX

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

THE DRIVE BELT APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE. IF THIS IS THE CASE, THE POWER STEERING COULD GO OUT. OCCASIONALLY, THE POWER STEERING HAS LOCKED UP ON ME. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TURN ON WHENEVER THEY WANT TO. SEVERAL FRIENDS SAID THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE PLYMOUTH TRUCK, VOYAGERS OR WITH THE DODGE TRUCK, CARAVANS.

NHTSA complaint #703427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olympia, WA

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILS WHEN CAR IS OPERATED IN RAIN. PROBLEM OCCURS DURING TURN AND BELT GETS WATER ON IT. DEALER CONTACTED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT AND THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE BY CHRYSLER AT THIS TIME. WITHOUT POWER ASSIST, THE STEERING IS VERY DIFFICULT AND COULD EASILY RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL IF THE RIGHT SET OF CONDITIONS WERE PRESENT.

NHTSA complaint #701619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Cajon, CA

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

RACK AND PINION STEERING MAKING GRINDING NOISE WHILE TURNING, STOPPING AND BACKING UP.

NHTSA complaint #605090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Romoland, CA

STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)

RACK GEAR BOX ASSEMBLY FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #605408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Camp Lejeune, NC

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

WAS DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN STEERING LOCKED UP, PREVENTING DRIVE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES SHE WAS IN THE TURN LANE.

NHTSA complaint #827954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Wayne, IN

STEERING

POWER STEERING FAILED WHEN VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER A PUDDLE OF WATER - TOTAL LOSS OF STEERING.

NHTSA complaint #539773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Frankfort, OH

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:PUMP

VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER WHEN THE SERPENTINE BELT SHEARED OFF COMPLETELY. VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE IN ADDITION, WATER PUMP LEAKING . POWER STEERING PUMP PULLEY CRACKED.

NHTSA complaint #823782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chicago, IL

STEERING:RACK AND PINION

RACK AND PINION FAILED, CAUSING STEERING TO LOCK.

NHTSA complaint #524019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Advance, NC Crash

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

VEHICLE WOULD MOMENTARILY LOSE POWER STEERING DURING SHARP LEFT TURNS.

NHTSA complaint #522622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Loudonvill, NY

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

STEERING COLUMN FAILED, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA complaint #518424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hemet, CA

STEERING

STEERING NOISE.

NHTSA complaint #603023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager problems

← Full 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager report