Model year record

1996 Plymouth Breeze recalls & problems

The 1996 Plymouth Breeze has 10 safety recalls and 182 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (105 complaints).

Recalls10safety recalls

Complaints182filed by owners

Crashes · fires16 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths17 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

SuspensionDec 27, 2010

Front › Control arm › Lower arm

Recall 10E05900022,689 vehicles

Problem: FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

SuspensionOct 9, 2009

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 09E0560005,787 vehicles

Problem: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Fix: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.

Fuel system, gasolineNov 2, 2006

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 06E09100024,358 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Risk: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.

Fuel system, gasolineOct 23, 2006

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 06E08800039,243 vehicles

Problem: CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Risk: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.

Power trainJan 13, 2004

Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift

Recall 04V0210002,315,768 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Power trainAug 6, 1998

Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch

Recall 98V183000685,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS. THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE CABLE CONNECTING THE CONSOLE SHIFTER MECHANISM TO THE IGNITION KEY CAN CAUSE A TRAPPED KEY CONDITION WHICH CAN RESULT IN A LOW FORCE REQUIRED TO DEPRESS THE SHIFT BUTTON. A COMBINATION OF APPLYING A MIS-ADJUSTED RELEASE BUTTON WITH A LOW FORCE ATTEMPT TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK WITH THE KEY IN THE LOCKED POSITION, CAN BREAK THE CONNECTING PIN IN THE SHIFTER.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT FOR PROPER OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM. ANY VEHICLES THAT ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL AFTER THE INSPECTION WILL HAVE THE SHIFT MECHANISM AND CABLE REPLACED WITH A "SELF-ADJUSTING" DESIGN.

SuspensionNov 13, 1997

Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

Recall 97V201000599,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Risk: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.

StructureJun 6, 1997

Body › Hood › Hinge and attachments

Recall 97V095000219,000 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.

Service brakes, hydraulicMay 3, 1996

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 96V075000151,800 vehicles

Problem: THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Risk: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.

Service brakes, hydraulicMay 2, 1996

Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 96V07400090,000 vehicles

Problem: CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Risk: IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1996 Plymouth Breeze 4-DR

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Breeze

26mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Breeze

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Breeze

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine; Engine › Gasoline	105	2	1	1	72,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	28	5	0	8	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	28	1	0	1	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Rack and pinion	22	1	0	1	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Springs › Torsion bar	14	1	0	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	11	10	0	7	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Alternator/generator/regulator	10	0	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Body › Trunk lid	8	0	0	0	—
Unknown or other	7	1	0	0	—
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Windshield	6	0	0	0	72,500 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control; Accelerator pedal	6	1	1	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Electrical	5	1	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine coolingFire
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
Sep 16, 2007
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipCrash8 injuries
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
Jun 24, 2006 · 242,000 miles
Seat belts › Rear/other
THE PLASTIC ADJUSTMENTS ON THE SEAT BELTS HAVE FALLEN OFF 2 OF THE SEAT BELTS, THEREFORE, I ASSUME, THEY ARE NO LONGER SAFE TO USE. *NM
Jun 30, 2005
Unknown or other
APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AGO, AFTER MAKING A LEFT TURN, I NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN. THE PROBLEM WOULD DISAPPEAR AFTER BACKING UP. AND WAS NOT ALWAYS CONSISTENT. I BROUGHT IT INTO MY GARAGE WHO CHECKED THE BELTS AND FLUID. THEY REPORTED EVERYTHING WAS FINE. YESTERDAY (2/22) LEAVING WORK I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN OUT OF THE PARKING LOT INTO THE EXIT LANE, AND LOST ALL STEERING ABILITY. ANOTHER EMPLOYEE STOPPED TO SEE IF I NEEDED HELP. WHEN I TOLD HIM I LOST THE STEERING AGAIN AND ASKED IF HE COULD LOOK. WHEN I OPENED MY DOOR TO GET OUT, FROM HIS HEIGHT HE COULD SEE SOMETHING STICKING OUT UNDERNEATH THE CLUTCH AREA. HE REACHED DOWN AND SAW THAT A CHUNK OF THE CLOTH…
Feb 22, 2006 · 98,043 miles
Engine and engine cooling › Engine
OIL NOTICED ON GROUND UNDER VEHICLE. MECHANIC SAYS HEAD GASKET IS LEAKING OIL OUT OF ENGINE. HEAD GASKET FAILURE IS CAUSING OIL TO BE LEAKED ONTO GROUND WHICH CAUSES ECOLOGICAL DAMAGE TO OUR ENVIRONMENT PER EPA. THIS WEB SITE DOCUMENTS THIS AS A TREND FOR THIS PLATFORM OF PLYMOUTH VEHICLE. THERE MUST BE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF GALLONS OF PETROLEUM OIL BEING SPILLED INTO OUR ENVIRONMENT BY THESE VEHICLES, MAYBE MORE. THESE VEHICLES ARE INJURING US ALL AND SHOULD NO LONGER BE USED UNLESS PROPERLY AND PERMANENTLY FIXED. *NM
Dec 19, 2005
Power train › Automatic transmission
RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSAXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM ON THE 1996 PLYMOUTH BREEZE.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER BUT THE REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE R RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM
Apr 1, 2005
Electrical system
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
Feb 28, 2005 · 185,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
PROBLEMS GETTING REPAIR WORK COMPLETED ON 1996 PLYMOUTH BREEZE.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER RETURNED TO PICK UP HIS VEHICLE, HE WAS TOLD NO WORK HAD BEEN PERFORMED BECAUSE THERE WAS A SPECIAL PART THAT NEEDED TO ORDERED. THE DEALER STILL HAS NOT CONTACTED THE CONSUMER. THE PROBLEM WAS A RECALL REPAIR ON THE SHIFT INTER-LOCK. RECALL#04V021000. *JB
Mar 1, 2005

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKClosedLed to recall 04V021000
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE…
EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004