1998 Plymouth Breeze: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 174 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints); the 2000 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 174 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2019
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2017
“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.”Owner report · Steering · Sep 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Sep 2015
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 1998 plymouth breeze. The contact stated the vehicle was parked when he noticed a large amount of oil leaking from the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that one of the head gaskets was blown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileages were 79,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Nov 2011
“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”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2011
“I received a call from the spokane city police regarding an engine fire in an unoccupied parked car that was registered in our name. The fire department had put the fire out and I was asked to tow it away. This was about 6:30 pm while my wife was at an event 4 blocks away. I drove there to meet the two truck to bring the car to our house where it is at this time. I could see where the fire department had to break the drivers side window to open the hood where there was white residue everywhere. The paint on the hood had peeled due to the heat from the fire. There were no previous incidents like this to the car. This was a 1998 plymouth breeze. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2011
“1998 plymouth breeze, was exiting ohio turnpike when it caught on fire. Bf (ohio traffic report # 10-0637-91)*jb updated 12/10/10 *bf”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2010
“I was changing my oil on my 1998 plymouth breeze expresso on july 7th 2009 around 7pm. I used the manufactured scissor jack and a jack stand to support the vehicle along with blocking off the tire. I was underneath the vehicle unscrewing the oil pan plug when the screw on the scissor jack gave out and the car fell on me nearly killing me. I went to the emergency room and was diagnosed with a crush injury. *tr”Owner report · Equipment · Jul 2009
When filing, owners marked a crash in 20 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Breeze by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1998 Plymouth Breeze reliable?
NHTSA has 174 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 1998 Plymouth Breeze. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (38% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1998 Plymouth Breeze problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 79,500 miles or less.
Does the 1998 Plymouth Breeze have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.