Problems · NHTSA complaints
1996 Plymouth Breeze problems
Owners filed 183 complaints about the 1996 Plymouth Breeze with NHTSA between Aug 1996 and Oct 2007. The most-cited component is engine and engine cooling (93).
Complaints
183
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
17
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine and engine cooling93
- Power train25
- Service brakes, hydraulic21
- Steering20
- Suspension13
- Air bags11
- Structure7
- Electrical system6
- Visibility6
- Vehicle speed control5
- Seat belts4
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Equipment4
- Latches/locks/linkages4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
11
27
40
45
21
8
11
9
4
3
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 11 |
| 1998 | 27 |
| 1999 | 40 |
| 2000 | 45 |
| 2001 | 21 |
| 2002 | 8 |
| 2003 | 11 |
| 2004 | 9 |
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine and engine cooling
93 reports2 crashes1 fire
“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”
Power train
25 reports1 crash2 related recalls
“RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE TRANSAXLE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION INTERLOCK SYSTEM ON THE 1996 PLYMOUTH BREEZE.*MR THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER BUT THE REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER THE R RECALL DUE TO VIN. *NM”
Service brakes, hydraulic
21 reports3 crashes2 related recalls
“I WAS COMING HOME ONE EVENING FROM TOWN, AND MY BRAKES FAILED TO STOP. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD AND NEVER ONCE SLOWED ME DOWN AND I CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT WAS A PRETTY BAD WRECK AND LUCKILY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED. *JB”
Steering
20 reports1 crash
“1996 PLYMOUTH BREEZE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT DUE TO EQUIPMENT FAILURE.*MR THE ACCIDENT WAS THE RESULT OF STEERING PROBLEMS. CONSUME LATER RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTIFICATION FROM CHRYSLER THAT CONCERNED THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS AND BALL JOINTS. CONSUMER'S SON SUSTAINED INJURIES. INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THE HEAD GASKET WAS REPLACED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. DRIVER WAS MAKING A TURN WHEN HE HEAR A CLINKING OR POPPING SOUND. AT THE ENID OF THE TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. HE HIT THE CURB AND HEARD A LOUD SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. HE THEN HIT THE SIGN POLE, WHICH BROKE A THE BASE AND CAME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. HE HAD TO DUCK OUT OF THE WAY AS THE POLE HIT HIS HEADREST AND THEN STRUCK THE WALL. THIS IS WHERE HE INJURED HIS NECK AND BACK, TRYING TO AVOID THE POLE. THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. *PH”
Suspension
13 reports1 crash3 related recalls
“CONSUMER STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED THEY ARE STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THERE CONTROL ARM AND BALL JOINTS AND IS CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED.PH”
Air bags
11 reports10 crashes
“CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED AT 15 MPH WHICH CAUSED SEVERE INJURIES TO CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.