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1996 Plymouth BreezeProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 182 owner complaints about the 1996 Plymouth Breeze, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

48
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Breeze median · #2 of 5 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints18227 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage73kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 24, 2007. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1996 Plymouth Breeze has problems

182 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling953
Power train251
Service brakes, hydraulic223
Steering201
Suspension141
Air bags1110
Structure80
Electrical system70
Visibility60
9 other systems285

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

1996 Plymouth Breeze recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Lever and linkage: floor shift

Recall 04V-021 · Jan 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 vehicles

Risk. EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch

Recall 98V-183 · Aug 6, 1998 · 685,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Control arm: lower ball joint

Recall 97V-201 · Nov 13, 1997 · 599,000 vehicles

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hood: hinge and attachments

Recall 97V-095 · Jun 6, 1997 · 219,000 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Foundation components: master cylinder

Recall 96V-075 · May 3, 1996 · 151,800 vehicles

Risk. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Recall 96V-074 · May 2, 1996 · 90,000 vehicles

Risk. IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Plymouth.

Best & worst years

1996 vs. every other Breeze year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Breeze median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'02
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

1996 Plymouth Breeze safety ratings

1996 Plymouth Breeze 4-DR in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1996 Plymouth Breeze, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKEA03011 · closed Jan 30, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-021
In owners' words

What Breeze owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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
Complaint 10207183 · Oct 24, 2007
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…
Complaint 10145759 · Dec 20, 2005
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…
Complaint 10076087 · Jun 10, 2004

Own a 1996 Breeze?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.