Total Complaints
109 filings
PLYMOUTH VOYAGER · model year
1988 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
109 NHTSA complaints, 8 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1988PLYMOUTHVOYAGER carries 109 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 8 crashes, 10 fires, 12 injuries, and 2 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1988 VOYAGER is latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock with 20 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (6) and equipment:mechanical:carrier/rack (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 5 investigation files overlapping the 1988 VOYAGER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
109
Complaints
8
Crashes
10
Fires
12
Injuries
2
Deaths
Crashes Reported
8 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK | 20 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 6 |
| EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK | 5 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 4 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT | 3 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 3 |
| TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE | 3 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR | 3 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 2 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 2 |
| VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR | 2 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 2 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20050728CrashAIR BAGS
1988 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY WHEN HIT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE.*MR THE DRIVER SUSTAINED A TORN LEFT ROTARY CUFF, SHOULDER AND BACK INJURIES. THE DRIVER REFERENCED A CLOCKSPING RECALL. *NM
20050301EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE HEADLAMP LENSES ARE TO BRIGHT. THIS CAUSES POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
20030623ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. WHEN THE CONSUMER LEFT THE REPAIR SHOP THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE NO LONGER OPERATES. *PH *NLM
20020822STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY PIVOTS UP AND DOWN IN THE DRIVERS HAND. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEVER IS VERY DIFFICULT FTO MOVE UNLESS THE DRIVER PIVOTS THE STEERING COLUMN UP HOLDING THE STEERING COLUMN IN PLACE WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE COULD FORCE A 1/16TH THICK, 1 INCH WIDE PIECE OF STEEL ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY TO ARTIFICALLY HOLD THE STEERING COLUMN IN A HIGH POSITION, OVERRIDING THE ADJUSTABLE CAPABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN, TO STOP THE PROBLEM OF NOT BEING ABLE TO EASILY MOVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER. PLEASE COMMENT ON THE SAFTETY OF THIS SOLUTION FOR THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS MISSPELLED ON YOUR FORM. THE CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS IS [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
20020822POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
THE ADJUSTABLE STEERING WHEEL CONSTANTLY PIVOTS UP AND DOWN IN THE DRIVERS HAND. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LEVER IS VERY DIFFICULT FTO MOVE UNLESS THE DRIVER PIVOTS THE STEERING COLUMN UP HOLDING THE STEERING COLUMN IN PLACE WHILE MOVING THE GEAR SHIFT LEVER. THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT HE COULD FORCE A 1/16TH THICK, 1 INCH WIDE PIECE OF STEEL ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY TO ARTIFICALLY HOLD THE STEERING COLUMN IN A HIGH POSITION, OVERRIDING THE ADJUSTABLE CAPABILITY OF THE STEERING COLUMN, TO STOP THE PROBLEM OF NOT BEING ABLE TO EASILY MOVE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION GEAR SHIFT LEVER. PLEASE COMMENT ON THE SAFTETY OF THIS SOLUTION FOR THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS OF THIS VEHICLE. MY EMAIL ADDRESS IS MISSPELLED ON YOUR FORM. THE CORRECT EMAIL ADDRESS IS [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
20020419EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:SWITCH
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT WORK. CONSUMER HAS REPLACED MULTIFUNCTION SWITCHES PUT IN AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING. NLM CONSUMER SOLD VEHICLE. *JG
20001030EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
WHEN DRIVING AT NIGHT CONSUMER CANNOT SEE, HIGH AND LOW BEAMS DO NOT WORK. THERE IS A SUBSTANCE ON LIGHT BULBS, PREVENTING DRIVER TO SEE. DEALERS IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
20000706ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
OXYGEN SENSOR BURNT WIRE
20000519ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. *AK
20000424VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR
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
20000424VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
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
20000328ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
INSTALLATION ON THE WIRE HARNESS DRY ROTTED AND BURNED THE WIRES UNDER THE DASHBOARD AND IN THE DOOR PANEL. CONSUMER STOPPED FIRE FROM STARTING BY UNHOOKING THE BATTERY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
20000215ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OIL BURNING FAILS TO PASS STATE INSPECTION. THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT AT 50,000 MILES. NOW AT 120,000 MILES THE DEALER SAIDS I NEED TO REPLACE THE HEADS ON THIS CAR. I HAVE KNOWEST THAT ALL THE PLYMOUTH VANS I SEE ON THE ROAD THEY THEY ALL SMOKE ALL THE TIME LIKE MIND. *AK
20000204STEERING:GEAR BOX (OTHER THAN RACK AND PINION)
STEERING GEAR BOX GETS STUCK. *AK *ML
19990908FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
ACCIDENTAL FIRE--MOST LIKELY CAUSED BY A LIQUID COMING INTO CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST SYSTEM.
19981211FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WITH THE HEADLIGHTS ON, A BURNING SMELL DEVELOPED. THIS WAS FOLLOWED BY INCREASINGLY VISIBLE PLUMES OF SMOKE WHICH EVENTUALLY IMPAIRED DRIVING VISIBILITY. FLAME WAS VISIBLE BRIEFLY. AFTER DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY POSITIVE CABLE, IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A CLASS C FIRE AS THE SMOKE AND FIRE DIMINISHED. THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY AS LONG AS THE HEADLAMP SWITCH WAS NOT TURNED ON. UPON EXAMINATION BY AN AUTOMOTIVE ELECTRICAL SPECIALIST, IT WAS FOUND THAT A SPRING ON THE DIMMER SWITCH USED AS A VARIABLE RESISTOR HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SWITCH HOUSING MAKING CONTACT WITH THE FRAME OF THE DASH ASSEMBLY CAUSING A DEAD SHORT TO GROUND. AS THE SPRING WAS ELECTRONICALLY RESISTIVE BY DESIGN, IT GLOWED TO A BRIGHT ORANGE IGNITING COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS AROUND THE SWITCH. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP FOR THE AFORE MENTIONED VEHICLE WAS CONTACTED. THE PARTS DEPARTMENT WAS NOT AWARE OF ANY MANDATORY OR VOLUNTARY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS. HOWEVER, THEY KNEW THAT THE H
19981015SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
REAR DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT IS FAULTY. THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT OR TIGHTEN. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THEY WOULD REPLACE THE SEAT BELT. THIS WAS IN AUGUST, AND THEY STILL HAVEN`T GOTTEN THE PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19980731FireSTEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
STEERING WHEEL FLUID LEAKAGE CAUSED FIRE UNDER THE HOOD.
19980610CrashSEATS
CONSUMER AND WIFE WERE HIT FROM BEHIND AND BOTH, PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S SEATS COLLAPSED, LEAVING OCCUPANTS FLAT ON THEIR BACKS. *AK
19980518SUSPENSION
WHEN DRIVING AT 35MPH AND UP THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY OUT OF CONTROL. NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN FOUND. *AK
Compare 1988PLYMOUTHVOYAGER to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1988 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER have?▼
The 1988 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER has 109 NHTSA complaints, 8 crashes, 10 fires, 12 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER?▼
The most-complained component for the 1988 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER is LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK with 20 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:CARRIER/RACK.
Is the 1988 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.