CarModelProblems.com

1997 Plymouth Breeze Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine — runs 4.0× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
155Complaints
8Recalls
9Crashes
8Fires
8Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (34.8% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine complaints here are 4.0× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine54 · 34.8%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline17 · 11%No official action
Air Bags:frontal9 · 5.8%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components8 · 5.2%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission8 · 5.2%RecalledRecall 04V021000 · Recall 98V183000
Engine And Engine Cooling7 · 4.5%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE17 · 11%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL9 · 5.8%
Unspecified / other8 · 5.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS8 · 5.2%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8 · 5.2%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING7 · 4.5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP6 · 3.9%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL4 · 2.6%
SUSPENSION:FRONT4 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 155 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 8 campaigns

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

NHTSA campaign 10E059000 · 2010 · reported 12/27/2010

IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 09E056000 · 2009 · reported 10/09/2009

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 06E091000 · 2006 · reported 11/02/2006

FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 06E088000 · 2006 · reported 10/23/2006

FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

NHTSA campaign 97V095000 · 1997 · reported 06/06/1997

IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

NHTSA campaign 04V021000 · 2004 · reported 01/13/2004

EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

NHTSA campaign 97V201000 · 1997 · reported 11/13/1997

SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/neutral Start Interlock Switch

NHTSA campaign 98V183000 · 1998 · reported 08/06/1998

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK SYSTEM WILL BE NONFUNCTIONAL. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“HEAD GASKET OIL LEAK-THIS HAS BEEN KNOWN AS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL-WHY HAS A RECALL NOT BEEN DONE WHEN IT IS SO WELL…”NHTSA complaint 10020524 — filed 05/26/2003 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“OIL LEAK - 1999 - CAR (1997 BREEZE) STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. DEALER REPAIRED CAR BY REPLACING HEAD GASKET AND CAM SEALS. THREE…”NHTSA complaint 10016941 — filed 05/02/2003 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
“THE HEAD GASKET LEAKED OIL INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. WHICH RESULTED IN DAMAGE TO THE CYLINDER HEAD, WATER PUMPAND HOSES. COOLANT ALSO LEAKED FROM THE…”NHTSA complaint 10003890 — filed 01/15/2003 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

7199714281999413920011817200325720053120081120151

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Plymouth Breeze?

Engine and engine cooling:engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 54 of 155 NHTSA complaints (34.8%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline (17), air bags:frontal (9), unspecified/other issues (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Plymouth Breeze have?

155 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 9 involved a crash, 8 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Plymouth Breeze have any recalls?

Yes — 8 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10E059000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Plymouth Breeze's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.