1988 Plymouth Grand Voyager 6 cylinder. from North America

Summary:

Most popular and least reliable

Faults:

I loved this minivan = until it went out of warranty. It began to "chug" intermittently, enough to scare you to death. It never died during these conditions, but it would lose all power for 15-90 seconds, then regain it. Soon it began to lose, regain, lose regain power regularly over a period of 5-10 minutes. Then it would be fine.

The dealer first acted like we were crazy, then gave us a list as long as my arm (including oil change!), of items to "try". Over time, all of those things were done, mostly by the dealer, with no luck. I learned to live with it, but it was embarrassing when others rode along - and I wouldn't have considered a long trip with it.

Finally found a shop willing to try diagnosing this. They spent hours and hours over 3 days & finally encountered it in the shop. They found the transmission was literally disconnecting from the engine due too bad motor mounts.

This fix lasted about 18 mos before it stranded us with a big clunk, refusing to shift into gear. Found the motor mounts had broken and had to be replaced again.

Happened to see a television news-magazine special about this time, where it was stated that Chrysler knew of this problem, it was a known "bad transmission" and had it on a "silent recall" - more or less meaning that if you were incredibly persistent, they would fix it, otherwise you dumped the car or went through what we went through. This lasted for years for us.

Also, like all the others of it's era, it rusted badly, especially around the rear window. Couldn't keep brakes on it, we replaced them every 18-24 mos. I was relieved when someone hit me one Christmas in a parking lot and totaled it. With only 7,500 miles per year - it should have been a gem.

Will not buy another Chrysler under any circumstances. We had also had prior trouble with a New Yorker. May be naive, but I feel it's bad enough when a manufacturer cannot fix their vehicles - knowing of problems and refusing to deal with them is far worse.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 18th October, 2003

1988 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE 3.0L Shitsubishi V6 from North America

Summary:

Chrysler's dinner special: Crap on a cracker

Faults:

Power windows, Air conditioning, Piston rings, Radio, Seat belt buckle, Speedometer, Turn signals, Brakes, Tail gate, Dash lights, Vent windows, Wood paneling, and everything else you can imagine.

General Comments:

I am going to put this as euphemistically as I can; The Mitsubishi-constructed V6 is total garbage. Also, the "Ultradrive" transmission that goes with this engine makes for one of the worst powertrains ever slopped on to a frame and tossed to the hungry public ever. Sadly, I was very fond of this van and it had a lot of sentimental value to me. Even so, it was not worth keeping. For those of you that think you can purchase one of these vans and say "Oh that'll never happen to me." I have news for you; IT WILL! Just steer clear of these vans. If you already purchased one, you can't steer clear because the power steering rack just came apart. On a lighter note, I highly recommend GM and Toyota minivans. Good luck all!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 17th November, 2002

1988 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE 3.0 Liter V6 from North America

Summary:

A great van to drive your grandparents around in

Faults:

Odometer broke.

A/C stopped pumping cool air.

Windows came off their retractor.

Head gasket cracked.

Piston rings are shot.

Puffed out blue smoke.

Passenger mirror fell off twice.

Drank oil like we do air.

Stereo sounds like I'm squeezing a cat.

Its "get up and go" got up and went.

General Comments:

The van is very comfortable. It handles well. I had some fond memories in that van.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 13th August, 2001

1988 Plymouth Grand Voyager LE 3.0 from North America

Faults:

Motor mount bolt snapped.

Front window crank gear broke.

Starter went back.

Air condensor went bad.

Distributor went bad.

Fuel pump went bad.

Release to the fuel door went bad.

Electrical fire in the head light passenger side.

Power steering pump went bad.

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. This list goes on and on.

General Comments:

Stay away from the Chrysler transmissions.

Do not attempt to purchase this vehicle even if you are paid to do it. Do not accept this vehicle as a gift. Do not even touch or look at this vehicle. This vehicle is too evil even as personal revenge, I wouldn't give my enemies this vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 26th May, 2001

24th Dec 2002, 12:26

I bought an '88 for $400. It had over 220k on it and burned oil. two $.99 pep boys brand oil additive stops the oil loss from valve seals/guides for 300 miles. The body is perfect, interior fair. It 'clunks when put in drive, and the xmission only has three speeds, but in 1500 miles of city driving nothing has changed. Did I get lucky? I don't like front-wheel drive due to the costs of transmissions, not to mention cv joints---but the thing always starts and goes. Hard to beat for the price. Oil pressure's good, never overheats---so far so good. thanks.

27th Feb 2004, 08:37

Just to let the owner of the '88 Plymouth Voyager know. You refered to the transmission as only having three speeds. All of the '88's had a three speed transmission. I have over 180,000 miles on mine, and it is still going strong. A little maintenance goes a long way.

3rd Sep 2006, 04:10

As the owner of a 1986 Grand SE model there are a few things on each side of the fence, so to speak. Mine had a 3.0L with a 604/4spd trans. Good things; 33mpg, room for days, rides well, handles good. Bad things; Trans case wears out from oil rubbing it. valve guides back out of cylinder heads. Window drives break monthly. A/C undersized for Mississippi. Over all not a bad car, drove 230,000 miles before trans died. I pulled the motor and trans, rebuilt the motor, had trans done, installed new front wheel hubs, brake rotors and pads, drive axles and struts. Along with a new headliner and rear hatch struts. Thought it was ready for many more miles. Then I discovered that the trans was a disposable model. Replace it don't rebuild it. I parked it at 256,000 miles. Now it sits in my bone-yard, with a 1977 Chevy Impala that went over 300,000 miles.

9th Dec 2014, 06:17

365,000km on mine.

Got it free with 350,000 on it.

Replaced fuel pump, brakes, rebuilt the trans and replaced the valve seals.

Unless you can do all this yourself with parts at jobber price, I would steer clear. But if the works been done, it's a nice ride for an 88.

Change the oil and filter every 3000k, no matter what.