Lancia Voyager RT
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
The Lancia Voyager built from 2011 to 2015 is a large upper-class MPV and, like the Thema, pure corporate cosmetics: behind the Lancia emblem hides the Chrysler Town & Country, a genuine American minivan with US engineering. Buy a Voyager and you get plenty of space, sliding doors, a flexible seating layout and touring comfort for a large family — with the clear understanding that this is US mass-production tech under an Italian badge.
The engine to recommend is clearly the 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 petrol with around 283 hp. Robust, smooth-running technology with chain drive that moves the heavy van with ease. Here too, watch for the early bearing-design timing chain issue, plus thermostat housing and cooling-system leaks and rocker-arm wear. A well-kept petrol is by far the most relaxed choice. Considerably more troublesome are the VM Motori diesels: the 2.8-litre CRD with around 120 hp and the 130/131 kW versions. Both are derived from commercial-vehicle engineering, strong on torque but prone to age-related faults. Typical issues are a leaking rear crankshaft seal, crankshaft sensor failures (including when hot), a water pump failure that damages the timing belt, injector wear from contaminated fuel, and on the stronger diesel coked VTG vanes and rail pressure loss leading to stalling. The timing belt change is complex and expensive. There is good reason these diesels fail the fun rating — they are workhorses, not entertainers.
The vehicle itself has a few known trouble spots to budget for. The torque converter can fail (codes P0740/P0741), the electric sliding doors give up due to failed actuator motors, and seam rust appears on doors, tailgate and bonnet. Some vehicles pull to one side — a known TSB covers this. Brake calipers seize from dirt and salt, the A/C compressor can fail, the alternator overrunning pulley wears out, and the temperature gauge fluctuates when the thermostat plays up.
Bottom line, the Voyager is a practical, affordable space wonder as long as you choose the 3.6-litre petrol and find an example with documented maintenance. The diesels suit only buyers who find a flawless service book and factor in higher repair costs — neglected examples get expensive fast. Anyone who needs the space and accepts the American origins will do just fine with the petrol.
283 PS
Voyager · Benzin
Large-family powerhouse
Decent163 PS
2.8L CRD Diesel
4 weaknesses
Good ChoiceEngine Overview
The Lancia Voyager RT is available with 4 engine variants — from 163 to 283 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
VM Motori four-cylinder turbodiesel of around 2.8 litres, tuned for torque rather than revs — enough for heavy vehicles without being over-endowed. Typical age-related issues are a leaking rear crankshaft seal and dropouts of the crank position sensor that cause starting trouble. The water pump is critical: if it fails it can damage the timing belt in the worst case, so both should be renewed together on the interval. The injectors suffer from contaminated fuel. Clean diesel and punctual belt changes secure its longevity.
- !! Water pump failure damages timing belt from 150,000 km
The water pump on the VM Motori 2.8 CRD (ENS) typically fails from 300,000 km and can cause the timing belt to jump. Timing belt change interval: 150,000 km.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, water pump squealing, rising temperature gauge, in the worst case engine damage from belt jump - !! Crankshaft position sensor failure from 100,000 km
The crankshaft position sensor on the VM Motori 2.8 CRD (ENS) typically fails when the engine is hot. The warm engine stalls unexpectedly and can only be restarted after it has cooled down.
Symptoms: Warm engine stalls suddenly, will not restart until cooled, no start attempt when hot - !! Injector wear from fuel contamination from 150,000 km
The injectors on the VM Motori 2.8 CRD (ENS) are sensitive to fuel contamination. Poor-quality diesel or water content leads to premature injector failure.
Symptoms: Starting problems, rough running, black exhaust smoke, increased fuel consumption
+ 1 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
This 2.8-litre four-cylinder common-rail diesel from VM Motori originates in commercial-vehicle technology and offers a solid, robust base design with strong torque. The weak points lie in the ancillaries: the variable-geometry turbo tends to coke up its vanes, the fuel rail can cause the engine to stall on a pressure drop, and the EGR valve clogs with soot. Further known issues are a crankshaft sensor that fails when hot and a leaking rear crankshaft seal. The timing-belt change is labour-intensive. With careful maintenance, clean fuel and attention to oil changes it is a durable, powerful workhorse diesel with high utility value.
- !! VGT turbocharger — guide vanes coke up from 150,000 km
The variable turbocharger (VGT) is prone to coking of the movable guide vanes from EGR soot deposits. Vanes seize: power drops and the DPF becomes overloaded.
Symptoms: Sluggish response on the throttle, power loss, black smoke clouds on acceleration, turbocharger whistling or howling. - !! Fuel rail pressure drop — engine stalling from 130,000 km
The pressure control valve or rail pressure sensor in the high-pressure system fails: the fuel rail loses pressure, the engine stalls while driving or starts poorly.
Symptoms: Engine stalls at motorway speed, difficult cold start, prolonged cranking, battery drain from repeated start attempts. - !! Timing belt change — high labour cost from 100,000 km
Timing belt change recommended at 100,000 km. Cost 475–670 €. Water pump must be replaced simultaneously — otherwise the entire job will have to be repeated later.
Symptoms: No warning before failure. With worn tensioners: squealing or clicking.
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
A high-volume V6 of 3.6 litres and around 283 hp of American manufacture, here fitted in a rebadged large MPV. Robust, smooth technology with chain drive and good parts supply through the North American market. Fuel consumption is high, but operation is otherwise trouble-free. A known early bearing design issue affects the timing chain on the first model years, along with leaks at the thermostat housing and cooling system and occasional rocker arm wear that announces itself with a tick. Check the coolant level and listen for chain noise on cold start, then it is a dependable powertrain.
- !! Timing chain early bearing design issue from 80,000 km
As with the Lancia Thema, early Voyager Pentastar 3.6 V6 engines (2011–2014) had the known timing chain guide rail problem. The design was revised from 2014 onward.
Symptoms: Timing chain rattle on cold start, synchronisation fault P0017, power loss - !! Thermostat housing and cooling system leaks from 100,000 km
The thermostat housing and heater pipe in the engine block of the Pentastar 3.6 V6 show typical coolant leaks on older vehicles. Inexpensive repair when caught early.
Symptoms: Coolant loss, dropping coolant level, coolant smell, white deposits on engine block - !! Rocker arm wear from 60,000 km
Faulty rocker arms on the Pentastar 3.6 V6 in the Grand Voyager cause engine noise and potentially severe damage. Chrysler recommends replacing rocker arms and hydraulic lifters as the solution.
Symptoms: Ticking from engine bay, power loss, rough running
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Torque converter failure (P0740/P0741) Torque converter fails — fault codes P0740/P0741, gearbox overheats and loses traction. Repair costs extremely high (4,500 € + 3,500 € again). Wrong ATF specification accelerates the damage. Symptoms: Engine warning light on, gearbox spins without forward drive, overheating warning, rattling noises from 120,000 km | High |
Alternatives
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Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 21 weaknesses have been documented for the Lancia Voyager RT (2011–2015) — 13 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Gearbox, Body, Rust, Suspension. Considered reliable: ERB-Voyager (3.6L V6 Pentastar), ENS-163 (2.8L CRD).
Voyager (ENS-177, 2013–2015) — Be Careful: VGT turbocharger — guide vanes coke up, Fuel rail pressure drop — engine stalling, Timing belt change — high labour cost. Power: 177–178 PS.
What to watch out for with the Lancia Voyager? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee