PlymouthVoyager19972.4L L4/plymouth/voyager/1997/2-4l-l4/
NS platform

1997 Plymouth Voyager — 2.4L L4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Voyager 2.4L L4.

Body VANEngine 2.4L L4Transmission Automatic 3-spd

The 1997 Plymouth Voyager is a front-wheel-drive van on Chrysler’s NS platform, powered by a 2.4L L4 engine mated to a 3-speed automatic transmission and delivering an EPA-rated 20 mpg combined. With a 5-quart oil capacity using 5W-30, it sits within a generation that saw owner complaints peak at 835 for the 1992 model and drop to a low of 171 by 2000. At 368 complaints, this model year lands in the middle of that range, with the most frequent issues centered on the engine and engine cooling system, and 11 recalls on record.

Model year20001999199819971996

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/23/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 34 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 05281090AB. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 34 · 600 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP205-75SR14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05281090AB alt 04105409AE
Engine air filter04213583AB discontinued
Fuel filter05140676AA discontinued
Spark plug68304272AA
BatteryBB34F101AA alt 82300133
Front wiper blades05096134AC
Serpentine belt05086140AB alt 05281275
Thermostat04573560AE discontinued · alt MD997310

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 3-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length199.6 in
Overall width75.6 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase119.3 in
Curb weight4131 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 23 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 21.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts100 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug21.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub180 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.45-.65 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance7000-15,800 ohms
Spark Plug Gap0.048-0.053 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-15.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group Number34
Standard BCI Cranking Performance600 cca
Optional BCI Group Number34
Optional BCI Cranking Performance685 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)47.0-51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression225
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi
Engine Oil Pressure25-80 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC BRAKES / WITH STANDARD
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 30 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.313; Rear: 0.276 specification
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.030
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC BRAKES / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.482 in / 0.939 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
1Long bolts25 ft. lbs
2Short bolts20 ft. lbs
3Long bolts50 ft. lbs
4All bolts90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Complaints on the Voyager peaked in 1992 at 835 and generally declined through the mid-1990s, with 1997's 368 complaints continuing that downward trajectory. However, 1997 stands out with 11 recalls—more than double the 4–5 recorded in 1994–1995 and matching 1998's count—suggesting manufacturers were actively addressing defects rather than ignoring them. Notably, TSBs spiked to 141 in 1997, the highest in the generation, indicating widespread technical issues requiring service bulletins. The top complaint categories were engine/cooling (49), powertrain (43), and air bags (38), with 22 fire-related complaints and 14 crash-related complaints recorded that year. This pattern suggests 1997 was a period of active problem-solving by the manufacturer, with recalls and TSBs catching up to issues that had been generating complaints. Compared to 19992000 when complaints dropped to 286 and then 171 with fewer investigations, the 1997 model sits mid-arc in a generation with improving but still elevated defect activity. **The 1997 Voyager is a marginal choice: complaint trends are favorable, but the elevated recall count and high TSB volume indicate lingering engineering issues that buyers should budget to address, particularly in engine and powertrain areas.**

11
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
141
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
7
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
368
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 22 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 368 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling49
Power Train43
Air Bags38
Fuel System, Gasoline27
Service Brakes, Hydraulic20
Electrical System19
Seat Belts15
Exterior Lighting13

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 11 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E034000EquipmentReported 10/08/2010

CURT MFG IS RECALLING CERTAIN CLASS 3 RECEIVER HITCHES, P/N 13347, SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON 1997-2007 CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY VANS, 1996-2007 DODGE CARAVANS, AND 1996-2004 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER VANS. WHEN… Remedy: CURT MFG WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE THE HITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CURT MFG AT…

02V076000Seat Belts:Rear/OtherReported 08/03/2002

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS, SOME TRIM MATERIAL CAN LOOSEN AND DROP INTO THE REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY, CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TRIM WITH FOAM BLOCKERS AND INSPECT AND REPLACE ALL 3RD ROW SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 141 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
31003192019-11-20StructureUse of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-192019-11-20StructureRepair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Voyager. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1997 Voyager 2.4L L4 take?

5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1997 Voyager have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.4L L4 get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined mpg.