RoadVitals

1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Jan 15, 2004
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 569 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1996 Plymouth Grand Voyager submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words

Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed Jan 15, 2004

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 ID
10069894
Incident
Jan 15, 2003
Mileage
600 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Feb 14, 2003

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 *JB

NHTSA ID
10006177
Mileage
54,000 mi
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 10, 2002

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
766983
Incident
May 15, 2002
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed Jan 28, 2002

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???*AK

NHTSA ID
757446
Incident
Nov 1, 2001
BrakesSteering
Filed Sep 20, 2001

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
752406
Incident
Apr 1, 2001
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Jul 30, 2001

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
749429
Incident
Jul 10, 2001
AirbagsBrakesEngine+4 more
Filed Jul 13, 2001

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.*JB

NHTSA ID
892712
Incident
May 9, 2001
Steering
Filed Apr 20, 2001

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
744305
Incident
Apr 17, 2001
Steering
Filed Mar 20, 2001

ALL STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS INOPERABLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
742709
Incident
Feb 15, 2001
Steering
Filed Nov 7, 2000

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.*AK

NHTSA ID
874613
Incident
Jan 1, 1999
SteeringVisibility
Filed Sep 6, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
730507
Incident
Jun 15, 2000
Steering
Filed Aug 24, 2000

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

NHTSA ID
868609
AirbagsHeating & air conditioningElectrical+3 more
Filed Jan 27, 2000

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 ID
717944
Incident
Jan 7, 2000
BrakesSteering
Filed Dec 1, 1999
Crash reported1 injury reported1 death reported

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
715476
Incident
Nov 9, 1999
Interior & seatsSteeringVisibility
Filed Oct 21, 1999

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
713639
Incident
Oct 19, 1999
BrakesElectricalSteering
Filed Oct 8, 1999

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 ID
713011
Incident
Mar 1, 1999
Steering
Filed Jul 30, 1999

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
843866
Incident
May 1, 1997
Steering
Filed Jul 30, 1999

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 ID
709421
Incident
Jul 24, 1999
EngineSteeringVisibility
Filed Feb 17, 1999

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
703427
Steering
Filed Dec 27, 1998

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 ID
701619
Incident
Oct 12, 1998
BrakesSteering
Filed Nov 23, 1998

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

NHTSA ID
605090
Steering
Filed Sep 16, 1998

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

NHTSA ID
827954
Incident
Jun 15, 1998
Steering
Filed Aug 11, 1998

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

NHTSA ID
539773
Incident
Aug 10, 1998
EngineSteering
Filed May 29, 1998

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
823782
Incident
May 1, 1998
Steering
Filed Oct 28, 1997

RACK AND PINION FAILED, CAUSING STEERING TO LOCK.

NHTSA ID
524019
Incident
Jul 27, 1997

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .