Model year record

1997 Plymouth Breeze recalls & problems

The 1997 Plymouth Breeze has 8 safety recalls and 155 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (85 complaints).

Recalls8safety recalls

Complaints155filed by owners

Crashes · fires9 · 8reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths8 · 0reported 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.

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

1997 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

27mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 34 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Breeze

23mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 29 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/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	85	0	3	1	66,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	18	1	0	0	—
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Linkages	15	0	0	0	70,000 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint	14	0	0	0	73,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Cooling unit and lines	11	0	0	0	112,500 mi
Air bagsFrontal	9	8	1	5	—
Electrical systemIgnition; Wiring › Front underhood	9	0	4	0	98,021 mi
Unknown or other	8	0	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Delivery › Fuel pump	8	0	1	0	—
Vehicle speed control	4	0	0	1	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner; Other › Labels	4	1	0	1	—
Seat beltsFront › Anchorage; Front › Buckle assembly	3	0	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system › Ignition
1997 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION RECALL AND OTHER RECALL NOTICE ISSUES. *SMD
Feb 9, 2015
Service brakesFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM REAR WHEEL DRUM ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK, SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE REAR WHEEL CAUSING A FIRE. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED.THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ON THE REAR TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Dec 31, 2014 · 58,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. WHILE PLACING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE, THE FILLER TUBE FELL TO THE GROUND. GASOLINE BEGAN LEAKING OUT ALL OVER THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN INSPECTED OR DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. THE CONTACT BELIEVES THERE WAS A HOLE OR RUST IN THE GASOLINE TANK FILLER TUBE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 120,000. UPDATED 10/06/09. *LJ UPDATED 10/06/09
Jul 9, 2009 · 120,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission
MY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFTER EASILY POPS OUT OF DRIVE .THERE IS NO LOCK TO HOLD IT IN DRIVE. NOT SURE IF IT WAS MADE THIS WAY ????? YOU CAN HIT IF FORWARD AND IT COULD GO IN TO REVERSE IM SURE. *TR
Jun 12, 2008 · 910,000 miles
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM WORK I BACKED THE VEHICLE INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND FOUND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE UNDERCARRIAGE. INVESTIGATION AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE FOUND THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT HAD SEPARATED AND COLLAPSED. INSPECTION OF THE PART FOUND NO APPARENT LUBRICATION AND RUST APPEARED ON THE BALL SECTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MY MECHANICS SHOP AND THE PART REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH A NEW UNIT. I ASKED IF THE DRIVERS SIDE TIE ROD WAS ALSO IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT BUT INSPECTION BY MY MECHANIC APPARENTLY FOUND THE UNIT TO BE INTACT. THE REMOVED PART WAS DISCARDED UNFORTUNATELY BUT THE MECHANIC INDICATED HE'S SEEN THE SAME FAILURE…
May 18, 2006 · 82,450 miles
Engine and engine cooling › EngineFire
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WAS A REPORT MADE BY THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THE FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION THE DEALER DETERMINED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL WIRING. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. UPDATED 4/11/2006 - *NM
Oct 1, 2005 · 98,000 miles
Steering › Rack and pinion
RACK AND PINION STEERING GEAR CRUNCHING NOISE. 45.000 MILES DUE TO LENGTHY RESEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE SERIOUS DEFECTS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM OF MANY DAIMLER CHRYSLER VEHICLES. AFTER 27 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH 14 VEHICLES (MOSTLY GM AND FORD) I HAVE NEVER HAD AS MANY DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION/STEERING FAILURES AS WITH THIS PLYMOUTH BREEZE. THE REAL PROBLEM IS THAT CHRYSLER DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY (FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY) FOR POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING DEFECTS. THEY SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND PAY FOR THE PARTS AND LABOR AND THEN FIND SUPPLIERS WHO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. I CONSIDER THE BREEZE UNUSABLE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, SUCH AS ANYTHING OVER 30 MPH. FOR HAVING SUCH A BEAUTIFUL…
Aug 19, 2005 · 45,000 miles
Wheels
CONSUMER INQUIRY REGARDING THE DEFECT IN THE HUBCAPS ON THE PLYMOUTH BREEZE AND THE DODGE STRATUS.*MR *NM
Jan 1, 1901

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
STEERING SHAFT BINDINGClosedLed to recall 01I012000
There is no summary currently available
EA99028 · opened Sep 10, 1999 · closed Jul 26, 2001
STEERING SHAFT BINDINGClosed
There is no summary currently available
PE99030 · opened May 3, 1999 · closed Sep 10, 1999