Chrysler Voyager by Rudolf Stricker - CC-BY-SA-4.0
The popularity of minivans had indeed declined compared to their peak in the early 2000s. This change in consumer preference is primarily due to the rise of SUVs and crossover vehicles, which became popular due to their versatility, off-road capability, and stylish design. That said, minivans still hold a significant market niche and are popular among certain buyers, particularly families.
When it comes to minivans, the most popular options include the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey, and Chrysler Pacifica. However, if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly minivan, you should probably check out the Chrysler Voyager.
First launched in 1988, the Voyager has seen several redesigns, each time adapting to new trends and technologies. Basically, Chrysler took the lowest trim of the Pacifica and converted it into the Voyager from an old Plymouth model.
THE CHRYSLER VOYAGER YEARS TO AVOID
To prevent wasting time and money on your next car, avoid purchasing Voyager years with extensive issues. Read on to learn more about the Chrysler Voyager years to avoid, the worst overall year, and other critical information.
If you’re searching for the most reliable Chrysler Voyager year, you’ve come to the right place. For today’s buyers’ guide, we look at recent Voyager models to determine the most reliable years and models to avoid.
2000-2003 Chrysler Voyager
With the 2000 model, all Plymouth Voyagers became Chrysler as the former brand was phased out. Then, the 2001 model year marked a significant redesign for the aging minivan.
Avoid: 2000 Chrysler Voyager
The 2000 Chrysler Voyager is harder for us to recommend due to its age and known reliability issues. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the 2000 Voyager recorded 171 complaints and eight recalls. One of the main reasons why you should avoid this model year is the problematic transmission.
A frustrated owner claimed their van produced a whistling sound after the warranty of 30,000 miles ran out at 40,000 miles. Eventually, the transmission just failed to shift. Even though the dealership fixed it, the transmission acted up again at 103,000 miles. Replacing or rebuilding the transmission may cost you thousands.
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Avoid: 2001 Chrysler Voyager
Although the 2001 Chrysler Voyager was more reliable than last year, this redesigned minivan had numerous complaints and issues. Some commonly reported issues include transmission problems and engine issues.
As for the transmission problem, many owners have complained about experiencing symptoms such as:
- Shifting Problems: Some owners have reported issues with the transmission not shifting properly, or refusing to shift into certain gears. This can cause the vehicle to feel sluggish or unresponsive.
- Premature Transmission Failure: In some cases, owners have reported complete transmission failure at relatively low mileage.
- Transmission Leaks: Some Chrysler vehicles, including the Voyager, have been reported to develop leaks in the transmission, which can cause the transmission fluid to drop to unsafe levels and cause damage.
- ‘Limp Mode’ Issues: Some vehicles may go into “limp mode,” a safety feature designed to protect the engine and transmission from further damage by limiting the vehicle’s speed.
At CoPilot, except for a few exceptions, we always recommend avoiding the first production or redesign years of any car because of potential issues not caught during testing – the 2001 Voyager is no exception.
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Buy: 2003 Chrysler Voyager
For the first lineup of the minivan, the most reliable Chrysler Voyager year is the 2003 iteration. For starters, it doesn’t have too many complaints, and the few ones that are there are mostly minor issues. Most complaints filed via the NHTSA were about the Voyager’s electrical system.
A complainant reported that while cruising at 50 mph, the lights inexplicably began to flash on and off, and ultimately turned off completely. This issue first occurred when the car had approximately 30,000 miles on the odometer, and according to the complainant, it has progressively worsened since its onset.
Regardless, such reports are infrequent and primarily consist of minor issues.
2020-2022 Chrysler Voyager
In 2020, Chrysler brought back the voyager after a long hiatus. This time, the Chrysler Voyager was slotted below its more popular sibling, the Pacifica, and marketed as the lower-cost offering.
Buy: 2020 Chrysler Voyager
The return of the Voyager was met with positive reception from customers and critics alike. CarandDriver gave the 2020 Voyager a respectable rating of 8.5 out of 10, citing affordable pricing and good fuel economy as the minivan’s strengths.
Under the hood, the 2020 Voyager was identical to the Pacifica, housing a 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers 287 horsepower and offers a good balance of power and efficiency. Like other minivans, the Voyager provides plenty of room for passengers and cargo. It can seat up to seven passengers and features Chrysler’s innovative Stow ‘n Go seating for added cargo flexibility.
As a relatively newer model, there’s little data about the Voyager’s reliability. As such, there are little to no complaints regarding this model year. Safety-wise, the 2020 Voyager had an impressive performance in NHTSA’s various crashworthiness tests and earned a 5-star overall safety rating. The 2020 Voyager includes a rearview camera as a standard feature, with available advanced safety features like rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert.
THE BEST USED LUXURY CARS ON THE MARKET
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Buy: 2021 Chrysler Voyager
This year marked the discontinuation of the Grand Dodge Caravan, which means your budget minivan option has shrunken down to one: the Chrysler Voyager. The 2021 Chrysler Voyager had generally favorable reviews, particularly for its affordability and practicality as a minivan.
The 2021 Chrysler Voyager was powered by the same 3.6-liter V6 engine that delivers 287 horsepower. This gives the Voyager minivan a 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.3 seconds – pretty good for a family-oriented vehicle.
Regarding safety, the 2021 Voyager comes equipped with a basic set of standard safety features. However, the most advanced safety features are only optional add-ons, whereas many competitors offer these as standard. Despite this, the 2021 model has been awarded a 5-star rating from the NHTSA and has generally received positive evaluations from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
On the downside, as of 2023, the Voyager lacked comprehensive reliability data and has not been rated by organizations like J.D. Power or Consumer Reports. Nonetheless, the minivan has registered very few complaints and has only been subject to a single recall. This is a good sign for the vehicle’s quality and potential long-term reliability.
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