Model year record

1998 Plymouth Breeze recalls & problems

The 1998 Plymouth Breeze has 7 safety recalls and 174 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (72 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls

Complaints174filed by owners

Crashes · fires20 · 11reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths19 · 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.

EquipmentJul 7, 2009

Equipment

Recall 09E04300030,351 vehicles

Problem: IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY ADHERED LINE CONNECTORS.
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPORT PRODUCTS AT 1-508-279-8207.

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.

Service brakes, hydraulicSep 15, 1999

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 99V244000366,508 vehicles

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.
Risk: DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 843. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TUBE COULD LEAK, REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKING SYSTEM, AND RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.

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.

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

1998 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 / 33 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	20 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Breeze

22mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/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	72	1	2	2	67,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch	23	3	1	1	90,000 mi
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Rack and pinion	19	3	0	2	108,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicFoundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings; Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	16	1	1	2	—
Air bagsFrontal	12	9	1	11	—
Electrical systemWiring; Ignition › Switch	12	0	7	0	98,731 mi
SuspensionFront; Front › Control arm	8	2	0	2	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	8	2	0	1	—
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Fuel injection system › Injectors	6	0	1	0	—
VisibilityGlass, side/rear; Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core	5	0	0	0	—
EquipmentAppliance › Air conditioner	5	0	0	1	—
SeatsFront assembly › Head restraint	3	1	0	0	—

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

Recent owner complaints

Steering
VISIBLE WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. DAMAGED POWER STEERING PRESSURE LINE WAS FOUND AFTER DIAGNOSTIC CARE WAS PROVIDED. CHECKED FOR OTHER KNOWN ISSUES, FOUND RECALL # 06V001000 DESCRIBING MY EXACT ISSUE AND FALLING UNDER SIMILAR MODEL OF CAR, HOWEVER MY CAR "DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THAT RECALL" AND ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE.
Nov 1, 2019 · 125,000 miles
Electrical systemFire
ON 11/22/2017 A FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE DRIVERS SIDE DASHBOARD RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE BURNING TO A TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. WAS TOWED AND KEPT BY THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR AFTER WE RELINQUISHED THE TITLE.
Nov 22, 2017 · 97,462 miles
Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SEAT BELTS DO NOT LOCK AND WOULD NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 216,000.
Sep 14, 2015 · 216,000 miles
Steering
I HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME TURNING WHEEL TO THE LEFT AND LIKE A "CLICKING NOISE" ANAD FEEL WHEN I AM TURNING TO THE RIGHT. WE JUST DID FRONT END ALIGNMENT, OUTER TIE RODS AND BRAKE SYSTEM. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM CAN BE.
Sep 25, 2015
Tires › Bead
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PLYMOUTH BREEZE EQUIPPED WITH FALKEN SINCERA (NA) TIRES, SIZE: 195/70/R14 (NA). WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE TIRE BEAD WIRE BECAME UNRAVELED, CUT THROUGH THE BRAKES LINE, AND FRACTURED THE LOWER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE, WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINED THAT THE TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE RETURNED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50 AND THE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Sep 12, 2015 · 177,000 miles
Steering
TOWARDS THE END OF JULY 2014, THE FRONT END STARTED MAKING CRUNCHING NOISES WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, TURNING AND OR COMING TO A STOP. I ALSO NOTICED PLAY IN THE STEERING. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR FOR ITS OIL CHANGE ON AUGUST 19, 2014, THE SHOP INFORMED ME THAT THE TIE RODS WERE LOOSE AND BOTH OUTER TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS DONE ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2014, AT A COST OF $511.70, WHICH INCLUDED A WHEEL ALIGNMENT. AT THAT TIME THE SHOP RECOMMENDED I REPLACE MY BRAKES WHICH I DID ON OCTOBER 31, 2014. THE SHOP SUGGESTED THAT I GET ANOTHER WHEEL ALIGNMENT. I STILL HAVE THE CRUNCH AND DON'T KNOW WHY. PLEASE HELP., PS: I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR HAVING PURCHASED IT NEW AT TUFANO…
Jul 25, 2014 · 80,000 miles
Engine
CAR HAS BEEN LEAKING OIL ON THE BACK SIDE OF HEAD AROUND THE HEAD GASKET FOR YEARS, FOUND OUT THAT MANY HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.... ALSO NOTICED THAT WHEN I REMOVE THE NUMBER ONE SPARK PLUG THAT IT HAS OIL ALL OVER IT AS WELL... *TR
Apr 5, 2011
Electrical systemFire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 1 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL BEFORE CATCHING FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY STATED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Jan 19, 2012

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