Research · Midsize Cars

1998 Plymouth BreezeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 181 owner complaints for the 1998 Plymouth Breeze. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (68) and power train (24). The EPA rates it 22–27 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
22–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Dec 2010
Owner complaints
181
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$2,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Dec 27, 2010NHTSA 10E059000

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Oct 9, 2009NHTSA 09E056000

Equipment

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Jul 7, 2009NHTSA 09E043000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

181 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 1998 – Dec 2019
  1. Engine and engine cooling68
  2. Power train24
  3. Steering18
  4. Electrical system13
  5. Air bags13
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  7. Suspension9
  8. Vehicle speed control8
  9. Fuel system, gasoline6

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Breeze model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996183
1997160
1998181
1999122
200038
20021
Crashes reported
21
Fires reported
11
Injuries reported
20
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

68 reports1 crash2 fires
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 22, 2011Engine and engine coolingODI 10436706

Power train

24 reports4 crashes1 fire
“VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR RECALL FOR IGNITION INTERLOCK, AND WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY. TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISOR THE IGNITION INTERLOCK WAS INOPERATIVE. THEY INSTALLED THE INCORRECT PART, WHEN ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, IF THE INTERLOCK WAS INOPERATIVE, THE SHIFTER WAS TO BE REPLACED. THEY DID NOT INSTALL THE SHIFTER, RATHER THEY INSTALLED THE LOAD LIMITING PUSHROD WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE FAILURE OF THE INTERLOCK. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 1, 2010Power trainODI 10333985

Steering

18 reports3 crashes
“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 complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2019SteeringODI 11289359
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Breeze
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
233327$2,200329
Breeze
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
203023$2,600386
Breeze
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182822$2,750404
  • Breeze
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 33 hwy · $2,200/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Breeze
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Breeze
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    18 city · 28 hwy · $2,750/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1998 Plymouth Breeze as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 3914
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1998 Breeze questions

How many recalls does the 1998 Plymouth Breeze have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1998 Plymouth Breeze problems?

Owners filed 181 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (68), power train (24), steering (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1998 Plymouth Breeze get?

The EPA rates the 1998 Plymouth Breeze at 22–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026