I don't recommend..
Radiator links repaired many times, twice transmissions, frequently motor overheating, and replaced twice the electronic card to activate the fans... definitively I can't recommend this model...
When this model is functioning well, it's very comfortable to travel in, stable, with very good suspension...
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 7th November, 2010
Love it, tough old broad, she's still going!
A/C evaporator core needs replacing.
Owned this car since 2001. No problems; made many trips to Utah and Texas, Arkansas and California.
You keep up routine maintenance and your car will run forever! Love mine; it's going to my daughter after we get a new one!
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 27th May, 2010
Functional, but very expensive to maintain
In addition to the prescribed maintenance, this vehicle has the following major failures:
32,395 kms. Front rotors failed. Replaced by dealer under warranty. A/C performance issues (not cold). No problem found by dealer.
47,000 kms. Serpentine belt and idler assembly failed. Repaired by dealer under warranty.
49,000 kms. A/C performance problems. Dealer topped up refrigerant and was never able to find leak during warranty period.
67,500 kms. A/C system failure (13 hour job). Warranty was only up to 60,000 kms. Replaced entire system by local mechanic ($2000). Slow leak was found inside the vehicle, but he needed to disassemble and remove the front dash to get to the leaking parts.
73,500 kms. Serpentine belt failed. (2nd time)
76,500 kms. Front rotors replaced.
81,300 kms. Oxygen sensor replaced.
87,500 kms. Serpentine belt and idler failed (3rd time). Replaced alternator and battery.
88,062 kms. Reverse light switch assembly replaced.
119,558 kms. Power steering pump failed.
119,880 kms. Replaced valve cover gaskets.
132,085 kms. Replaced transmission.
134,647 kms. Replaced serpentine belt (4th time
) Replaced leaking a/c compressor (2nd time).
The windshield wipers will turn on and off by themselves. Nobody has ever been able to diagnose.
This vehicle has not been reliable in terms of belts, air conditioners and transmissions. Reading the other reviews, I see that I am not alone with these failures. It is also hard on front brakes and rotors. I have had five Ford products since this and they have been much more reliable.
After 11 years, the van body has no rust and is solid. I attribute this to being rust-proofed at an aftermarket company, regular washing during winter months and being garaged to avoid sun damage.
The seats are comfortable and the functionality of the space is very useful for a family.
I will never buy another Chrysler product again, due to the high maintenance costs.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 17th August, 2008
It is a great minivan but has one big issue still at large
Okay, so I have had this 1997 Plymouth Grand Voyager Se for a couple of years. It is a great van but I am having a major issue at this time. Last summer it had started over heating sometimes. Not a lot and so I took it to my mechanic and he put some new cooling parts on. Everything including fuses, relays, temp. gauges, cooling fans and thermostat have been replace. We have also drained radiator and cleaned. That has not solved the overheating issue. It overheats (keep in mind not everytime) when sitting still. As long as you are going down the road it is fine. The computer does not read anything. We have literally put over $1,000 in this van replacing wiring, fans and the works. No one seems to know what is going on. Any ideas?
Interior is good, not tore or worn out.
Paint has peeled in a small area on top of van.
Not a lot of problems just routine things.
Not great on gas.
Parts are very expensive to replace (thankfully not many have gone bad)
Transmission has never been replaced and is still in great condition.
Weather stripping is starting to fall off but is not in need of replacement just put back up.
Overheating is the biggest complaint I have that I cannot figure out how to fix.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 14th May, 2008
I have a mini-van also and had the same problem. The shop couldn't fix it. The guy at the junk yard knew just what I was talking about. I have to ask my husband in the morning, but I think it was the oxygen sensor. I also needed a new fan because some jerk left a nail puller in the fan. It looked like the mechanic was using this to turn the blades and then forgot it. When the fan came on, the nail puller ripped it up and then stopped it altogether. I couldn't even go through a drive through at McDonald's without it heating up. The reason it doesn't overheat when you are driving it is because air is flowing through the radiator/engine and keeping it somewhat cool.
OK-I have the information now.
The junk man said it was the modular which blew the fuse.
We took a modular off of one of his similar vans, took care of the fuse, replaced the fan that previously had the nail puller stuck in it, and "presto" it didn't overheat anymore. I was hesitant at first to drive it, but now it is running OK. I, like you, took it to a dealer who basically didn't repair it and gave it back at even a higher temperature on the motor. There were so many times that I had been stuck in traffic and had to pull over on the side of the road to wait for it to cool down. Thank goodness for the junk man. Our expert car-repair-friend couldn't figure it out. Our other car-repair-friend hooked up the air conditioner fan direct to the battery. There was a button for me to push when I needed a fan, but it wasn't powerful enough. Good luck.
9th Nov 2010, 01:50
These are good vans for the price, you can buy a used one for pretty cheap.
The problem with this one is the 3.0 Mitsubishi designed engine, it is underpowered for this size van, let alone the Grand Caravan. Get a van with the 3.3 or the 3.8 engine, the fuel economy is about the same and you get more power.
The van with 3.0 engine also has more transmission problems due to the van being underpowered as well.
These are great vans, they just have a bad reputation sometimes because they are family vans that are rarely well maintained compared to a luxury car.
No one ever runs these on premium gasoline or synthetic oil. They are rarely washed, let alone undercoated.
People use these vans for work as well, moving all kinds of stuff. For what these vans will put up with, they are pretty good value for your money. Comfortable to drive too.