Research · Midsize Cars

2000 Plymouth BreezeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints for the 2000 Plymouth Breeze. Most complaints involve steering (16) and engine and engine cooling (7). The EPA rates it 20–27 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
20–27mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Dec 2010
Owner complaints
38
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 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 Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

38 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2000 – Oct 2014
  1. Steering16
  2. Engine and engine cooling7
  3. Electrical system4
  4. Fuel system, gasoline3
  5. Power train3
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  7. Fuel/propulsion system1
  8. Engine1
  9. Fuel system, other1

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
1
Fires reported
22
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

16 reports14 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SMOKE AND CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH WATER. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE WIRE HARNESSES, BATTERY, AND POWER STEERING CABLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 186,998.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2014Steering, Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10641112

Engine and engine cooling

7 reports3 fires
“I WAS DRIVING MY CAR, AND SUDDENLY THE CAR STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. I CHECKED EVERY THING AND EVERYTHING IT WAS OK, WATER AND OIL. AND COUPLE MONTH BEFORE THIS HAPPEN I RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER SAYING SOME THING WAS WRONG WITH THOSE TYPE OF CARS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2008Engine and engine coolingODI 10243948

Electrical system

4 reports4 fires
“DT*: THE CONTACT STATED SIX HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED, IT ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED WHO EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE REMAINS IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE THE FIRE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER SENT A REPRESENTATIVE HOWEVER INFORMATION WOULD NOT DISCLOSE FROM THE RESPRESENTATIVE. THE MAIN DAMAGE IS LOCATED IN THE DASH AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 31, 2006Electrical systemFire reportedODI 10163969
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 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 Oct 30, 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
233427$2,400329
Breeze
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900404
Breeze
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172620$3,200444
  • Breeze
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    23 city · 34 hwy · $2,400/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Breeze
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Breeze
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    17 city · 26 hwy · $3,200/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 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 2000 Plymouth Breeze as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 4174
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

2000 Breeze questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Plymouth Breeze have?

9 safety recalls as of Oct 30, 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 2000 Plymouth Breeze problems?

Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (16), engine and engine cooling (7), electrical system (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Plymouth Breeze get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Plymouth Breeze at 20–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026