PLYMOUTH VOYAGER · model year

1989 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER

204 NHTSA complaints, 22 crash reports for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 1989PLYMOUTHVOYAGER carries 204 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 22 crashes, 11 fires, 35 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 1989 VOYAGER is power train:automatic transmission with 33 filings, followed by latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock (32) and structure:body:hatchback/liftgate (10). 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 1989 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.

204
Complaints
22
Crashes
11
Fires
35
Injuries
2
Deaths

Total Complaints

204 filings

Crashes Reported

22 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION33
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK32
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE10
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR8
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE7
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH7
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE7
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER7
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL5
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY5
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE4
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS3

Recent Complaints

20120120UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF A 1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER. FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE LOVED THIS VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT FALLING OFF WHENEVER IT RAINS. WE MOVED TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, SINCE THIS MOVE, THE BELT HAS FALLEN OFF THREE TIMES. WE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BECAUSE WE LIVED IN AN AREA THAT DID NOT RECEIVE MUCH RAIN DURING THE YEAR. WE TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND ARE TOLD THIS SHOULDNT BE HAPPENING. OF COURSE, WE ARE CHARGED TO PUT THE BELT BACK ON THE CAR. WE AND OTHERS (OBVIOUSLY FROM THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS) BELIEVE THIS IS A CAR DEFECT THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER SHOULD BE AWARE OF OR ARE AWARE BUT IGNORING THE PROBLEM. WE FOUND OUT THAT A KIT IS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FOR ONLY $500 WE CAN GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. IT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. ALSO, MANY PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT SOMEONE COULD BE KILLED IF THE BELT FALLS OFF SINCE TH

Mileage: 102,000

20120120STEERING

WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF A 1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER. FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE LOVED THIS VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT FALLING OFF WHENEVER IT RAINS. WE MOVED TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, SINCE THIS MOVE, THE BELT HAS FALLEN OFF THREE TIMES. WE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BECAUSE WE LIVED IN AN AREA THAT DID NOT RECEIVE MUCH RAIN DURING THE YEAR. WE TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND ARE TOLD THIS SHOULDNT BE HAPPENING. OF COURSE, WE ARE CHARGED TO PUT THE BELT BACK ON THE CAR. WE AND OTHERS (OBVIOUSLY FROM THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS) BELIEVE THIS IS A CAR DEFECT THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER SHOULD BE AWARE OF OR ARE AWARE BUT IGNORING THE PROBLEM. WE FOUND OUT THAT A KIT IS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FOR ONLY $500 WE CAN GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. IT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. ALSO, MANY PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT SOMEONE COULD BE KILLED IF THE BELT FALLS OFF SINCE TH

Mileage: 102,000

20120120ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

WE ARE THE ORIGINAL OWNERS OF A 1998 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER. FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE LOVED THIS VEHICLE. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE SERPENTINE BELT FALLING OFF WHENEVER IT RAINS. WE MOVED TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO, SINCE THIS MOVE, THE BELT HAS FALLEN OFF THREE TIMES. WE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE BECAUSE WE LIVED IN AN AREA THAT DID NOT RECEIVE MUCH RAIN DURING THE YEAR. WE TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR AND ARE TOLD THIS SHOULDNT BE HAPPENING. OF COURSE, WE ARE CHARGED TO PUT THE BELT BACK ON THE CAR. WE AND OTHERS (OBVIOUSLY FROM THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE AND OTHERS) BELIEVE THIS IS A CAR DEFECT THAT DODGE/CHRYSLER SHOULD BE AWARE OF OR ARE AWARE BUT IGNORING THE PROBLEM. WE FOUND OUT THAT A KIT IS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FOR ONLY $500 WE CAN GET THIS PROBLEM CORRECTED. IT SHOULD NOT BE A PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. ALSO, MANY PEOPLE HAVE INDICATED THAT SOMEONE COULD BE KILLED IF THE BELT FALLS OFF SINCE TH

Mileage: 102,000

20080214FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1989 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER CAUGHT FIRE ON THE OHIO TURNPIKE. *KB OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT # 10-0015-90. *JB

20040325CrashTIRES:SIDEWALL

ALL 4 TIRES HAD AN INDENTATION IN THE SIDE WALL IN THE RADIAL DIRECTION. THE CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS COULD CAUSE A BLOW OUT. *NM *SC *JB

Mileage: 200,000

20030507POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

WHILE DRIVING THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. *NLM

20030110ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

1989 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VIN NO. [XXX] 3.0 L V-6 OIL LEAKING OUT OF CYLINDER COVER GASKETS IS DRIPPING ONTO HOT ENGINE. THIS VEHICLE'S PRODUCTION DATE FALLS WITHIN THE LIMITS OF NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NO. 89V237000, HOWEVER THE DEALERSHIP I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL WORK DONE CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED IN THE CAMPAIGN. THIS SITUATION IS AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE HAZARD. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 140,000

20020424ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

TOLD BY MECHANIC THAT THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE NOISE IS COMMON WITH THIS VEHICLE NOW THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG. *AK

20010806CrashPOWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH

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

20010511FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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

20010420STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

WHEN OPENING TAILGATE FOR ANY REASON DOOR WILL COME DOWN AND HIT HEAD JUST LIKE STATED IN RECALL 95 I 001 008. *AK

20010213POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

I HAVE A 1998 VOYAGER VAN AND IT HAS ALREADY HAD 2 TRANSMISSIONS (BY THE ORIGINAL OWNER) PUT IN IT! WAS THERE EVER A RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSIONS OR PARTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION FOR THAT YEAR? THIS IS NOT RIGHT! TWO NEW TRANS-SENSORS WERE JUST PUT ON...IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING BUT NOT CORRECTLY. I HAVE 3 SMALL BOYS AND AM ON MY OWN. I CAN'T AFFORD THIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. *AK

20010125FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

AFTER DRIVING A FEW MILES AND PARKING, A VALVE UNDER THE CAR STARTS DUMPING FUEL ON THE GROUND.IF LEFT ALONE, THE ENTIRE TANK WILL DRAIN. ONLY RESTARTING THE CAR, SHIFTING FORWARD AND REVERSE WILL IT STOP.

20001101CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

HATCH BACK RATTLES, REAR WINDSHIELD MOTORS START UP WHEN UP HIT A BUMP AND WON'T STOP, FRONT END CLINKS AND IT SMOKES REAL BAD AND BURNS A LOT OF OIL.

20001101CrashVISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

HATCH BACK RATTLES, REAR WINDSHIELD MOTORS START UP WHEN UP HIT A BUMP AND WON'T STOP, FRONT END CLINKS AND IT SMOKES REAL BAD AND BURNS A LOT OF OIL.

20000725UNKNOWN OR OTHER

PAINT IS PEELING OFF FRONT HOOD IN LARGE BLOTCHES/ NOTICED OTHER PLY. VOYAGERS AROUND TOWN WITH SAME PROBLEM. WAS THERE A RECALL ON THE PAINT OF THESE CARS?NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN THE SUMMARY. *AK

20000717LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:TAILGATE:LATCH

DEFECTIVE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH WAS REPLACED FOR THE RECALL, BUT THE LATCH WOULD NOT SHUT PROPERLY. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

20000522FireENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE RESULTED IN FIRE, VEHICLE WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT) NLM

20000522SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAUSING INJURIES TO PASSENGER AND DRIVER. NLM

20000515SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER

BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE SEAT COLLAPSED RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND CAUSING INJURIES TO PASSENGER AND DRIVER. NLM

Compare 1989PLYMOUTHVOYAGER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 1989 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER have?
The 1989 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER has 204 NHTSA complaints, 22 crashes, 11 fires, 35 injuries, and 2 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1989 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER?
The most-complained component for the 1989 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 33 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK and STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE.
Is the 1989 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.