Plymouth BREEZE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
520 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
80,404 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 to 2002 model years. Data snapshot: . 151 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 141 of 520 complaints (27.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 60 | 11.5% |
| Steering behavior | 58 | 11.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 38 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 18 | 3.5% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 2.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 141 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 38 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 35 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 33 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 26 |
| Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections | 21 |
| Electrical System | 20 |
| Steering | 18 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 141; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 38; Engine And Engine Cooling: 35; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 33; Air Bags:Frontal: 26; Steering:Hydraulic Power Assist:Hose, Piping, And Connections: 21; Electrical System: 20; Steering: 18
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 43 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 37 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 35 |
| 150,000 and above | 13 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 43; 75,000 to 99,999: 37; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 13
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (43). 369 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 |
| 2000 | 113 |
| 2001 | 87 |
| 2002 | 58 |
| 2003 | 66 |
| 2004 | 71 |
| 2005 | 30 |
| 2006 | 29 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 9 |
| 2009 | 4 |
| 2010 | 8 |
| 2011 | 5 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
1996: 2; 2000: 113; 2001: 87; 2002: 58; 2003: 66; 2004: 71; 2005: 30; 2006: 29; 2007: 21; 2008: 9; 2009: 4; 2010: 8; 2011: 5; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 3; 2016: 3; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 58 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 38 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10058311 · 2004-02-17 (February 17, 2004)
I PURCHASED MY 1996 PLYMOUTH BREEZE IN APRIL OF 1998 WITH 33,000 MILES ON IT AND IT CURRENTLY HAS 115,000 MILES ON IT. THE INITIAL SIGNS OF PROBLEMS BEGIN AT 50,000 MILES WITH AN OIL LEAK NO ONE COULD SEEM TO FIX (NOT EVEN THE DEALERSHIP). WITHIN A SPAN OF 82, 000 MILES: I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET TWICE AT 54,000 AND 113,000 ($1000), I HAVE HAD TWO MAJOR TUNE-UPS AT 60,000 AND 92,000 MILES ($500), I HAVE HAD ALL SENSORS REPLACED AT 101,000 MILES ($1500), I HAVE HAD THREE MAJOR BRAKE JOBS WITHIN 18 MONTHS ($1800), I HAD TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10167010 · 2006-08-29 (August 29, 2006)
I WAS COMING HOME ONE EVENING FROM TOWN, AND MY BRAKES FAILED TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND NEVER ONCE SLOWED ME DOWN AND I CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT WAS A PRETTY BAD WRECK AND LUCKILY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 242,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10167010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10050207 · 2003-11-28 (November 28, 2003)
1996 PLYMOUTH BREEZE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT DUE TO EQUIPMENT FAILURE.*MR THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF STEERING PROBLEMS. CONSUME LATER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM CHRYSLER THAT CONCERNED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER'S SON SUSTAINED INJURIES. INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. DRIVER WAS MAKING A TURN WHEN HE HEAR A CLINKING OR POPPING SOUND. AT THE ENID OF THE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. HE HIT THE CURB AN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10050207 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 762027 · 2002-05-17 (May 17, 2002)
I'M SO DISAPPOINTED IN THIS CAR. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN 1996, AND IT'S BEEN CONSTANT PROBLEMS SINCE I DID. THE FIRST TIME THE HEAD GASKET WENT OUT, THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT HAS GONE OUT TWICE SINCE THEN. I'VE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON REPAIRS, THAT I COULD HAVE BOUGHT A WHOLE NEW CAR IF YOU ADD IT ALL UP. THE BRAKES ARE ALWAYS SQUEEKING AND WEARING OUT QUICKLY. WHENEVER ONE THING GOES WRONG, IT'S QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS. MY TRANSMISSION HAD A MASSIVE LEAK LAST YEAR (2001) THAT TOOK THE DEALER TWO TIMES TO FIX. BU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 762027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120742 · 2005-05-12 (May 12, 2005)
DT: WITH NO WARNING THE CAR JUST SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING AND IN ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. PROBLEM IS IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. HAS HAD BATTERY RECHARGED AND WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURER TO GET AN ELECTRONIC ANALYSIS TEST ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE TEST IS NOT FREE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 185,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10120742 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 721747 · 2000-04-21 (April 21, 2000)
CAR RACING AT IDLE, CAR WANTED TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE BRAKES APPLIED. FINALLY REPAIRED AFTER FORTH TRIP TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT.ALSO, FAULTY WIRING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 721747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207183 · 2007-10-24 (October 24, 2007)
1996 PLYMOUTH BREEZE HAD SOMETHING BREAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AND CAUGHT FIRE AFTER COMING TO A REST ON THE SHOULDER. *KB THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. (OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT)*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10207183 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 880880 · 2001-02-20 (February 20, 2001)
HEAD GASKET HAS BEEN REPLACED AT 32000 AND 42000 MILES. CONSUMER NOTICED A LOSS OF POWER, AND TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER TO CHECK IT. WAS INFORMED THAT HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE CHANGED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 880880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10076087 · 2004-06-10 (June 10, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IDLED REAL HIGH, THEN SLOWED DOWN. PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE VEHICLE STARTED UP, BUT IT DID NOT MOVE. HAD A MECHANIC TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COMPUTER WAS BURNT OUT. THEN SHE HAD A SECOND OPINON, AND WAS TOLD THAT SHE HAD A FUEL PUMP AIR LEAK, AND THIS CAUSED HER TO HAVE POWER REDUCTION WHILE DRIVING. SHE STATES SHE HAS NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL ON HER VEHICLE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10076087 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 719738 · 2000-03-06 (March 6, 2000)
PAST HX:AIR CONDIONING COMPRESSOR/RACKINPINION STEERING/HEAD GASKET AND FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 719738 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 6 |
| 1997 | 4 |
| 1998 | 3 |
| 1999 | 3 |
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2002 | 0 |
1995: 1; 1996: 6; 1997: 4; 1998: 3; 1999: 3; 2000: 5; 2002: 0