Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 1986 Plymouth Voyager, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seats | 9 | 12% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 9 | 12% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 8 | 10% |
| Structure | 8 | 10% |
| Power train | 6 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 6% |
| Steering | 4 | 5% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STICK WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE BACKING UP IN REVERSE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
WHILE DRIVING UPHILL AT 15 MPH THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE UNDER THE HOOD, SHORTLY AFTER ENGINE STALLED. DEALER DETERMINED A CAMSHAFT BEARING FAILED AND SEIZED ENGINE.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
WE WERE DRIVING BACK FROM A NY WEDDING ON 8/18/98 IN OUR 86 VOYAGER WITH 5 PEOPLE WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND THE AXEL. I WAS IN THE PASSING LANE AT 65 MPH. I MANAGED TO A
NHTSA complaint: Tires
WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO WHEN VEHICLE IS IN PARK, VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES WITHOUT WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS DUE TO TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. YH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS DUE TO TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. YH
NHTSA complaint: Power train
BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING, EMERGENCY BRAKE USED WHICH RESULTED IN FIRE , POSSIBLE CAUSE OF FIRE FROM EMERGENCY BRAKE USE (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT). *MJS
NHTSA complaint: Parking brake
HAVE THERE BEEN ANY OTHER REPORTS ABOUT THIS. PLEASE SEND REPORT.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1986 Plymouth Voyager. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS
Risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY
Fix: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITHOUT REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS.
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS DURING NOVEMBER 1995.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: LIGHT DUTY PASSENGER MINIVANS WITH REMOTE RELEASE. THIS IS NOT A SAFETY RECALL. THERE HAS BEEN NO DETERMINATION THAT A SAFETY DEFECT EXISTS WITH THE MINIVAN LATCHES. CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH ASSEMBLY OF THE AFFECTED MINIVANS. I
Risk: IF THE LIFTGATE LATCH OPENS, OCCUPANTS CAN BE EJECTED RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: CHRYSLER DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LIFTGATE LATCH WITH A NEW STRONGER LATCH ASSEMBLY WITHOUT CHARGE. CHRYSLER BEGAN NOTIFYING OWNERS OF THESE VEHICLES DURING JULY 1996.
FIRST REAR SEATS WERE INSTALLED WITH AN INCORRECT LEFT SIDE SEAT RISER WHICH CAUSES FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE SEAT AND SEAT BELT LOADING REQUIREMENTS OF FMVSS 207, SEATING SYSTEMS.
Fix: REPLACE INCORRECT SEAT RISERS.
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 47 | below average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seats is the most reported area with 9 of them (12%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1986 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 73/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.