Wrench.Pro

1990 Plymouth Voyager Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 1990 Plymouth Voyager has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Automatic transmission failure and replacement.” Plymouth ended in 2001, and everything with the badge is a Chrysler or Dodge underneath. The Voyager is a Caravan, the Neon is a Dodge Neon, the Laser is an Eagle Talon and a Mitsubishi Eclipse. Parts are shared and easy to find. Two things decide whether one of these lasts. First, the four-speed automatic in the minivans and Neons requires Chrysler ATF+4 fluid specifically. Generic Dexron will make it shudder and then fail, and this is the most common way these transmissions die. Second, several engines here use a rubber timing belt, including the 3.0 liter Mitsubishi V6 in the minivans, the 2.0 in the Neon, and the turbocharged four in the Laser. On the Laser's engine a snapped belt bends valves. If you cannot document the last belt, treat it as due.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1990 Plymouth Voyager.

Reported to NHTSA

Automatic transmission failure and replacement

POWER TRAIN

34 NHTSA complaints · 1995-04 → 2001-01

“THIS IS THE THIRD TRANS. FAILURE IN THE 102,700 MILES ON THE VEHICLE TRANS. #1 LASTED 42,000 MILES , TRANS. #2 LASTED 27,000 MILES AND TRANS. #3 LASTED 29,000 MILES I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE. MY SERVICE HAS BEEN DONE ON THE REPLACEMENT OF EACH OF T”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #712600
“WHILE DRIVING, 4 SPEED AUTO TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTS THEN SLIPS INTO SECOND GEAR, NO PRIOR WARNING, DEALER'S REPLACED TRANS. TWICE, PROBLEM PERSISTS. TT CONSUMER STATES TRANSMISSION STILL HAS A LOUD CLUNK NOISE WHEN DOWNSHIFTING AT STOP.*JB”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #977058
“AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE, VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN OVERHAULED SEVEN TIMES. TT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #975177

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sliding side door off track or detaching

STRUCTURE

16 NHTSA complaints · 1995-04 → 2001-01

“WHEN OPENING THE SLIDING SIDE DOOR, THE DOOR FELL OUT. REPLACED DOOR ROLLER. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #807962
“FAILURE OF THE SLIDING DOOR, THE SLIDING DOOR BROKE OFF FROM THE HINGE, CAUSING THE DOOR TO FALL OFF THE TRACK. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #804508
“CONSUMER WAS CLOSING THE SLIDING DOOR IT CAME OFF THE TRACK . TT THE DOOR WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE CAR. *YH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #973007

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear liftgate latch and lift support failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

28 NHTSA complaints · 1995-04 → 2002-10

“WHILE DRIVING LIFTGATE LATCH DISENGAGED, ALLOWING HATCH TO POP UP. TT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #963758
“UPON IMPACT, DURING SIDE IMPACT, AT APPROX. 45MPH, REAR LIFTGATE LATCH DISENGAGED AND LIFTGATE CAME OPEN. TT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #963744
“HYDRAULIC LIFTS FAILED IN THE REAR LIFTGATE. TT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #963469

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat belt buckle and retractor failure

SEAT BELTS

16 NHTSA complaints · 1995-04 → 2002-01

“PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE ONCE ITS ENGAGED WILL NOT RELEASE. TT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #963275
“THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BEL TWILL NOT REMAIN LATCHED. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #800278
“SEAT BELTS RETRACTORS DO NOT WORK, PROBLEM WHEN USING IT WITH CHILD SEAT. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #980598

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Spare tire winch cable breakage

EQUIPMENT

6 NHTSA complaints · 1995-04 → 1998-04

“THE CABLE THAT HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE BROKE . PLEASE DESCRIBE .*AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #801778
“THE CABLE, WHICH HOLDS THE SPARE TIRE ON THE VEHICLE, BROKE AT ONE POINT AND RELEASED THE TIRE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #801102
“SPARE TIRE WINCH CABLE SNAPPED OFF CAUSING TIRE TO FALL UNDER VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #534343

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal to floor and fluid loss

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

16 NHTSA complaints · 1995-06 → 2000-05

“NON METALLIC BRAKE HOSE; FRONT BRAKE HOSES FAILED AT MOUNTING BRACKET DUE TO IMPROPER BRACKET DESIGN. WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, THE PEDAL GOES COMPLETELY TO THE FLOOR AND THERE ARE NO BRAKES, ALL THE FLUID COMES OUT. *AK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #808249
“HAD TO REPLACE BRAKE SYSTEM THREE TIMES BECAUSE PEDAL WOULD GO TO FLOOR. TT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #972309
“PISTON SEALS ON BOTH REAR BRAKES BLEW OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF ALL FLUID/COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE/ACCIDENT. *DSH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #490923

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 6 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 3,000 mi

Chrysler specified 3,000 miles under the severe schedule, which is where an engine of this age belongs. Change at least once a year even if the car barely moves. Nothing in this lineup has an oil life monitor, so the interval is on you.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Automatic Transmission Fluid (ATF+4)

Every 30,000 mi

Use Chrysler ATF+4 and nothing else. The 41TE transaxle, still often called the Ultradrive, is sensitive to fluid friction characteristics in a way most automatics are not. Drain and fill every 30,000 miles. If a shop offers to top it off with universal fluid, decline.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Timing Belt

Every 90,000 mi

Applies to the 3.0 V6 in the Voyager and Acclaim, the 2.0 in the Neon, and the turbo four in the Laser and Colt. Replace every 90,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first, and change the water pump and tensioner at the same time. The Laser's 4G63 is an interference engine, so a failed belt is engine damage rather than a tow. The 3.3 and 3.8 V6 use a chain instead and are not on this schedule.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall. On a car this old, tires almost always age out before the tread runs out.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, hoses, and hard lines at every service. Rear drums on the Neon, Sundance, and Acclaim seize on cars that sit, and rusted steel lines are a real concern anywhere road salt is used.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace every 2 years. On a twenty-five-year-old car this is what keeps the master cylinder and the ABS unit from becoming the repair bill.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

Copper plugs run 30,000 miles, platinum closer to 100,000. Replace the plug wires at the same time on anything with a distributorless coil pack. After this many years the wires break down before the plugs do.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace every 30,000 miles. Simple on every model in the lineup.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Serpentine Belt & Tensioner

Every 60,000 mi

This is the accessory belt, not the timing belt. Replace the belt and tensioner together once either is cracked, glazed, or noisy.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Coolant Replacement

Every 60,000 mi

Every 3 to 5 years. Most of this era uses conventional green coolant rather than a long-life formula, so do not stretch it on the assumption that modern intervals apply. The 2.0 Neon engine has a known head gasket history, and clean coolant with a correct pressure cap is the cheapest defense.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Battery & Charging System Test

Every 25,000 mi

Test the battery and alternator once a year. Corroded ground straps are common at this age and produce electrical faults that look far worse than they are.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

261 crashes 1990–2024

How the 261 occupant deaths break down

153

driver deaths

108

passenger deaths

261

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 1990 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

18

complaints mentioning a crash

6

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 1990 Plymouth Voyager reflects Plymouth's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

Check another vehicle →