IllustrationPRIOR TO THE FIRE MY CAR WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AND WHEN I WALKED OUTSIDE THE WIND SHILD WIPERS WERE GOING. I WAS UNABLE TO GET THEM TO STOP SO I HAD TO PULL THE FUSE OUT. THEN ON JULY 11 2004 MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD IT APPEARED TO HAVE STARTED IN THE FUSE BOX.*AK
1997 Plymouth Breeze
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 117.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Breeze years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 26 of 155 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 83 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports8 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
155 reportsTHE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE HOSPITAL, THE INTERCOM ANNOUNCED THERE WAS A VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. *JB *NM
POWER STEERING PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. THE POWER STEERING PUMP FAILED AGAIN.*AK
ON 11/05/2003 MY CARS HEADGASKET WAS GOING.I PURCHASED MY CAR ON 11/14/2003 THE CAR HAD 59,708. I ONLY PUT ON THE CAR13,000 MILES FROM THE TIME THAT I HAD IT. I DID A CARFAX ON THE CAR AND SAW THAT ON 5/02/2003 THE CAR HAD 96,113 THEN ON 8/06/03 IT HAD 59,294 MILES THERE WAS A 36,819 MILE ROLLBACK.NOW I NEED TO KNOW THE TRUE MIL…
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ON 11/05/2003 MY CARS HEADGASKET WAS GOING.I PURCHASED MY CAR ON 11/14/2003 THE CAR HAD 59,708. I ONLY PUT ON THE CAR13,000 MILES FROM THE TIME THAT I HAD IT. I DID A CARFAX ON THE CAR AND SAW THAT ON 5/02/2003 THE CAR HAD 96,113 THEN ON 8/06/03 IT HAD 59,294 MILES THERE WAS A 36,819 MILE ROLLBACK.NOW I NEED TO KNOW THE TRUE MILEAGE ON THE CAR BECAUSE IF THE MILES ON THE CAR WERE TURNED BACK THAT MEANS THAT MY CAR HAS OVER 148,000 MILES AND MY MACHANIC SAID THAT BEING THAT THE CAR WAS 7 YEARS OLD THAT CAR WOULD HAVE OVER 148,000 MILES. I NEED TO KNOW THE TRUE MILES THAT WERE ON THE CAR WHEN THE FIRST OWNER SOLD THE CAR.BECAUSE IM GOING TO COURT DUE TO THIS MILEAGE PROBLEM. SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS MILEAGE ISSUE.PLEASEIT WOULD BE VETY HELPFUL BEING THE FIRST OWNER WAS IN NEW YORK . THE DEALERSHIP IS GIVING ME A HARD TIME WITH THE PROBLEM .I TOOK GREAT CARE OF MY CAR ONE MONTH AFTER I GOT THE CAR I GOT AN OIL CHANGE THEN I GOT IT FLUSHED AND FILED W/ THE OIL CHANGE IN MARCH AND EVERY 3,000 MILES AFTER THAT.THEY ASKED ME TO BRING THE CAR TO THEM ON 11/08/2004. APON DOING THAT THE CAR THEN DIED. HAD THE CAR TOWED FROM WERE I BROKE DOWN. MY CAR SAT IN THE PARKING LOT OF THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2 DAYS . THEY WERE TO HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT THE CAR . BUT INSTEAD THEY SENT IT OUT TO GET LOOKED AT . BUT INSTEAD THEY BROKE DOWN MY ENGINE AND I HAVE NOT HAD MY CAR FOR THE LAST MONTH NEXT MONTH WILL BE 2 MONTHS .SO COULD YOU PLEASE HELP ME THANK YOU VERY MUCH
BRAKES MALFUNCTION, ABS LIGHT ON. *BF THE VEHICLE HAD CONSTANT BRAKE PROBLEM. EVERYTIME ON PROBLEM WAS FIXED SOMETHING ELSE FAILED. *NM
THE TAIL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH ON A DRY/SMOOTH ROAD SURFACE BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. NO INJURY TO REPORT. *AK
THE DRIVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SUDDENLY THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE DRIVER WILL CONTACT THE DEALER IN THE NEAR FUTURE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. THE BULBS DO NOT NEED REPLACING, I'VE CHECKED. AND AS FOR THE FUSES THEY ALL OK. IT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO'S HAVING THIS PROBLEM, MY FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE(PASSANGER). ON ANOTHER …
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THE DRIVER SIDE LIGHTS DON'T WORK. THE BULBS DO NOT NEED REPLACING, I'VE CHECKED. AND AS FOR THE FUSES THEY ALL OK. IT LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE IS A ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO'S HAVING THIS PROBLEM, MY FRIEND WHO HAS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE(PASSANGER). ON ANOTHER NOTE I GET A SMELL FROM THE HEATER CORE WHEN ITS ON. I HAVE TO KEEP IT ON OTHER WISE THE ENGINE OVER HEATS. I'VE HAD THE THERMOSTATE AND A RADITOR FLUSH TO SEE IF IT WOULD HELP. BUT EVEN WITH ALL THAT'S BEEN DONE FOR REPAIRS IT KEEPS HAPPENING. *AK
THE STRUTS FAILED. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE PART HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. *JB THERE WERE ENGINE PROBLEMS, THE SPARK PLUGS CONTINUED TO GET DIRTY, TWO SETS OF TIRES WERE LOST, THERE WAS AN ODOR COMING FROM THE AC, THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE MAIN SEAL AND LEFT REAR CORNER OF THE HEAD…
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THE STRUTS FAILED. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE PART HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. *JB THERE WERE ENGINE PROBLEMS, THE SPARK PLUGS CONTINUED TO GET DIRTY, TWO SETS OF TIRES WERE LOST, THERE WAS AN ODOR COMING FROM THE AC, THERE WAS A LEAK COMING FROM THE MAIN SEAL AND LEFT REAR CORNER OF THE HEAD, THE HEATER FAN ONLY WORKED ON HIGH, THERE WAS A TAPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED THEN GOES AWAY, THERE WAS A CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT WHEELS, THE FLASH MODULE CAUSED THE ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE UPSTREAM #2 SENSOR WAS REPLACED, THE STEERING RACK HAD BROKEN, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS INOPERATIVE, AND THE AC BELT WAS CRACKED. *SC THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. *JB
Official recalls
404V021000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Jan 13, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
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.
98V183000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch
Aug 6, 1998
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL.
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.
97V201000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
Nov 13, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
97V095000 · Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments
Jun 6, 1997
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
3EA03011 · Auto Trans IGNITION-PARK Interlock
Opened Jul 17, 2003 · Closed Jan 30, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
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 INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission
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 INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
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 INTERLOCK SYSTEM COULD FAIL (OR BE MADE INOPERATIVE BY THE OPERATOR) DURING VEHICLE USE, POSSIBLY INADVERTENTLY.THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM IS REQUIRED UNDER FMVSS 114.WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE IGNITION KEY OFF, THE COMBINED ACTION OF PRESSING THE SHIFT BUTTON AND PULLING THE SHIFT LEVER REARWARD MAY RESULT IN THE OPERATOR OVERCOMING THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM AND CAUSE THE MECHANICAL LINKAGE OF THE SYSTEM TO DISCONNECT.WHEN THIS OCCURS, THERE IS NO OVERT INDICATION TO AN OPERATOR THAT THE SYSTEM IS DEFEATED, AND AN INCREASED RISK OF VEHICLE ROLL-AWAY EXISTS.UNDER RECALL 04V021, DC WILL REPLACE DAMAGED SHIFT MECHANISMS, AND WILL INSTALL ON ALL VEHICLES A DEVICE WHICH INHIBITS THE OPERATOR?S ABILITY TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK AND DEFEAT THE SYSTEM.BEGINNING WITH MY 2000, DC INCORPORATED A BRAKE AND TRANSMISSION SHIFTER INTERLOCK (BTSI) SYSTEM INTO THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.INTRODUCTION OF BTSI INVOLVED DESIGN CHANGES TO THE SHIFT MECHANISM, ONE OF WHICH RESULTED IN REDUCED MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE (RMA) OF THE SHIFT BUTTON.THE RMA SHIFTER REQUIRES INCREASED FORCES TO OVERCOME THE INTERLOCK SYSTEM, MAKING THE SHIFTER LESS SUSCEPTIBLE TO DAMAGE.
EA99028 · Steering Shaft Binding
Opened Sep 10, 1999 · Closed Jul 26, 2001
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
PE99030 · Steering Shaft Binding
Opened May 3, 1999 · Closed Sep 10, 1999
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available