Overview & Reviews

In its day, Plymouth was one of the best-selling and most beloved brands in the U.S. Owned first by Chrysler and then by DaimlerChrysler, the marque existed for more than 70 years before being discontinued in 2001.

The Plymouth Motor Corporation was born in May of 1928 as a marketing subsidiary of the Chrysler Corporation, with Walter Chrysler as its president. The first Plymouth, the Plymouth 4, followed soon thereafter, cruising into showrooms in 1929. The car was based on a Chrysler model, the Chrysler 4. Its low price and solid quality established Plymouth as the brand to beat for consumers seeking affordable transportation.

The 1930s saw Plymouth investing in the development of a new vehicle; the Plymouth PA was launched in 1931. Featuring then-innovative rubber engine mounts, the car was a hit, and helped Plymouth sail past more established brands like Buick to nab the 3rd-place spot in national car sales, behind Ford and Chevrolet. By 1939, more than 3 million Plymouths had been built, and its name had been officially changed to the Plymouth Division.

In the years following World War II, Plymouth introduced models like the Cambridge, Suburban and Cranbrook. The look of the vehicles was a departure from the prevailing aesthetic of the time. They were chunky and tall whereas the most popular vehicles were long, lean and low. V8 engines and automatic transmissions were also new additions to the Plymouth brand in the '50s. By the time the decade drew to a close, more than 12 million Plymouths had been built.

The '60s saw the birth of the pony car, and Plymouth was at the forefront of the movement with its legendary Barracuda, which was initially based on the Valiant compact when it was introduced in 1964. As the years went on, the Barracuda offered a range of powerful V8 engines and a choice of body styles, including a convertible. The decade also saw the introduction of a pair of muscle cars based on the midsize Belvedere: the bare-bones Road Runner and the more luxurious GTX. The psychedelic era also gave rise to the brand's potent 426 Hemi V8 engine.

The fuel crisis of the mid-1970s spelled trouble for Plymouth, as high fuel prices caused poor sales for its larger models. Plymouth saw some success with its Valiant, Duster and Volare compacts. But the lone shining star on the sales charts was the subcompact Horizon. Otherwise, the company suffered slow sales due to an aged and dwindling lineup. Things didn't get much better for Plymouth during the '80s. In spite of the debut of the popular Voyager minivan and a couple of other new models like the Caravelle and Sundance, the brand continued to struggle.

By the time the '90s rolled around, Plymouth was no longer a full-line make. Chrysler had plans to reinvigorate the brand with the introduction of new models, but all that changed after the company's merger with Daimler at the end of the decade. At the close of the '90s, Plymouth's lineup had been reduced to just five vehicles: the Voyager and Grand Voyager minivans, the Breeze sedan, the Neon compact and the Prowler sports car. DaimlerChrysler soon decided to pull the plug on the long-neglected brand, with the last Plymouths being made in model-year 2001.

User Reviews:

• 

  99 voyager - 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By oldcarguy4 - January 5 - 4:13 am

  the thing Im mainly concerned with is the area around the strut on drive front is rusted out on mine. safety factor big hole can see strut from under the hood. Is there a recall cause if mine is that way must be others also. otherwise the van is fine

• 

  2000 SE VOYAGER SWB 7 PASS. - 2000 Plymouth Voyager
  By Not2bad - November 16 - 10:00 am

  Was the best deal at the time.I only have 29,000 miles at present.Had turn signal problems,it took the dealer 2 times to fix them for good,but no big deal.the transmision had a severe shifting problem once,took it back to dealer and they replaced some kind of switch,and it was fine after that.If your on a tight budget,and you get a warranty,its not bad

• 

  Service Engine Soon Light - 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Abba - November 2 - 10:00 am

  After three years of ownership and 47,000.00 miles, the Service Engine Soon light started to come on and off. I took it to the dealership, and the computer said it was a Vapor Silonoid. Twenty minutes and $150.00 later, I am on my way. All is well until I get home and guess what, Service Engine Soon is back. Only in America!!! This of course isnt covered under the Chysler Extended Warranty I bought, go figure! This vehicle has ready been to the Dealer for a variety of other problems, so if you buy one good luck. I am tired of buying American only to be unhappy. Never Again!

• 

  Reliability Problems after 100,000 miles - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Ten Year Owner - October 18 - 10:43 am

  Ive owned this vehicle for ten years and it still is a comfortable, spacious, and convenient ride. For the past few years, since it hit the 100,000 mile mark Ive had to replace the transmission ($2,500), the circuit board and the body control module ($1,500). Im probably going to have to drop some more cash as the "service engine soon" and "oil light" are on again. They should make those lights in the shape of dollar signs. A consistent theme across these reviews is widely favorable ratings in the early years, followed by substantial customer dissatisfaction with reliability and repairs in the later years.

• 

  Love this Van, BUT....... - 1999 Plymouth Voyager
  By bev crossley - September 5 - 12:46 am

  This van has been great untill recently. We bought it new with the intention to keep it forever. One year ago, two computer sensors had to be replaced because it would not automatically shift gears. Just a week ago, the transmission had to be replaced because the torque converter was falling apart and throwing metal into the works. The air conditioner just died. And the ignition needs replaced because the key will not turn. This van has had great care and upkeep. We do not understand why it seems to be suddenly falling apart.

• 

  99 Van just keeps on going! - 1999 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By joggerdude - September 3 - 2:43 am

  We bought our van in late 99 with 30K miles. It was a rental program van. We paid $18K out the door. Its been super reliable and so comfortable on those long trips. Im not sure how we could get a family of 4 to the beach for a week (including 3 bikes) with any other vehicle. Only issue I had was replacing the rack and pinion when I think all I really just needed was a power steering pump. Other things are typical: tires, starter, battery, belt/tensioner, etc. Transmission has never given me any trouble yet I hear horror stores all the time. We also have never charged the AC and it still blows cold. My wife uses it continually in too. The kids have grown up so now we may sell.

• 

  Suites my needs - 2000 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By Saviore - April 27 - 2:00 am

  It rides well and it is roomy and comfortable, but I have a few caviats.

• 

  Good Car - 2001 Plymouth Neon
  By Brown - April 25 - 6:56 am

  I bought my 01 Neon a year and a half ago or so and I have loved it. My Neon was really basic, no power windows or other options but it was really reliable. I only replaced the battery and the tires on it so maintenance was low. I bought used but had regular service and it treated me well. A/C and heat worked perfectly. 2.0 liter gave it extra kick for a 4 cyl. Inside room was quite large for the size of the car, back seat spacious for compact car. I wrecked it and have to buy a new car but would get another Neon anytime.

• 

  mixed feelings - 1998 Plymouth Grand Voyager
  By prd to b an american - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this vehicle 5+ years, within 6 months had to replace the transmission under factory warrenty, it has been thru 3 batteries (the lights go off after 5 min. even if the doors are left open). Other than oil changes, transmission flushed, & new starter, it has been pretty reliable. I feel pretty lucky. My mixed feelings come from: what you know, what they say, and when will it happen to me. I have 72000k on it and plan on removing it from my ownership ASAP. I am going back to the other makers until America can build a reliable car.

• 

  Dependable car - 2001 Plymouth Neon
  By Michael Avery - March 15 - 9:23 am

  We have used this car very much in the last 4 years. It has been a very dependable car.