1997 plymouth breeze. Consumer writes in regards to ignition recall and other recall notice issues.
The worst 1997 Plymouth Breeze problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine83
- Brakes18
- Steering14
- Suspension14
- Transmission11
- Airbags9
- Electrical9
- Fuel system7
- Acceleration3
- Seat belts3
- Visibility3
- Lights2
- Seats2
- Tires2
- Body1
- Locks1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Plymouth Breeze
Ball joint 15Fire or smoke 7No deployment 6Oil consumption 5
Recalls 4
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 04V021000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 98V183000 · Recall details
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The lower control arm ball joint can separate due to loss of lubrication.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V201000 · Recall details
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The secondary hood latch spring can disengage from its retention hole if the hood is slammed shut.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 97V095000 · Recall details
See all 4 recalls for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze
Defect investigations
Auto trans ignition-park interlock
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.
EA03011
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
EA99028
Steering shaft binding
There is no summary currently available
PE99030
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze 82
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty
- Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs
- Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts
- Use of Aftermarket Parts
- Valve Body
- Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation
- Seat belt cinch bar service for various models including 2004 models
- Flash programming failure recovery
- Subject regarding outside rearview mirror glass replacement
- Subject regarding outside rearview mirror glass replacement
1997 Plymouth Breeze fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-23 | 29-34 | 23-27 |
What 1997 Plymouth Breeze owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl* the contact owns a 1997 plymouth breeze. While driving at various speeds, the contact heard a noise coming from rear wheel drum on the passenger side. While attempting to park, smoke emitted from the rear wheel causing a fire. The failure recurred three times. The fire was extinguished by the fire department and no police report was filed.the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the brake system needed to be replaced on the rear tire. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 58,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 plymouth breeze. While placing fuel into the vehicle, the filler tube fell to the ground. Gasoline began leaking out all over the ground. The vehicle has not yet been inspected or diagnosed by a mechanic. The contact believes there was a hole or rust in the gasoline tank filler tube. The current and failure mileages were 120,000. Updated 10/06/09. *lj updated 10/06/09
My automatic transmission shifter easily pops out of drive .there is no lock to hold it in drive. Not sure if it was made this way ????? You can hit if forward and it could go in to reverse im sure.
Upon arriving home from work I backed the vehicle into my driveway and found the vehicle would not move and the passenger side front tire was rubbing against the undercarriage. Investigation after removing the tire found the outer tie rod ball joint had separated and collapsed. Inspection of the part found no apparent lubrication and rust appeared on the ball section. Vehicle was towed to my mechanics shop and the part removed and replaced with a new unit. I asked if the drivers side tie rod was also in need of replacement but inspection by my mechanic apparently found the unit to be intact. The removed part was discarded unfortunately but the mechanic indicated he's seen the same failure on other vehicles of the same manufacturer [chrysler corp]
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot it caught on fire. The fire occurred without warning. There was a report made by the police and fire departments. The fire department determined the fire started in the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. Upon inspection the dealer determined the fire was caused by the electrical wiring. No repairs have been made. Updated 4/11/2006 -
Rack and pinion steering gear crunching noise. 45.000 miles due to lengthy research it appears that there are serious defects in the steering system of many daimler chrysler vehicles. After 27 years of experience with 14 vehicles (mostly gm and ford) I have never had as many drivetrain/suspension/steering failures as with this plymouth breeze. The real problem is that chrysler does not take responsibility (financial responsibility) for potentially life threatening defects. They should issue a recall and pay for the parts and labor and then find suppliers who know what they are doing. I consider the breeze unusable at highway speeds, such as anything over 30 MPH. For having such a beautiful design this situation is just sad. Please forward this to chrysler as I am in the process of starting a small claims court case. If you can forward this to chrysler please tell them that we just want reliable transportation, not having our lives at stake. You see - if you hit a tree or something solid - all of the evidence against them is gone. Wake up consumers - read the vehicle reports before you buy. Beauty must be more than skin deep.
Consumer inquiry regarding the defect in the hubcaps on the plymouth breeze and the dodge stratus.*mr
Dt: caller received a recall letter concerning trans axle floor shifter ignition/ park interlock. She took vehicle to dealer, and they claimed they fixed it, but they did not give her an invoice. Once she put super glue on the shifter, and after they fixed it, she noticed that the place where she glued it was still there. Manufacturer had not been contacted yet.
Since I bought the car I have had to replace 2 water pumps in 3 years. I own a plymouth breeze(1997) and I just had to replace another water pump plus it did damage to valves and head. It cost me $1600.00. The mechanic said it is the way that chrysler made this car. He said the intreppit and the breeze are defective because of how the manufacturer made them.I was never warned about this problem nor have I heard from chrysler that there may be a defect. I have the defective water pump saved for anyone who wants to examine it!I think chrysler should be forced to pay for these repairs because of the defect in there manufacture of this vehicle.I have owned at least 10 car and have never had to replace 2 water pumps in a 3 year period.I have only had to replace 1 other water pump but it never did damage to the head and valves.this is a defect of the chrysler coorporation.
Compare the 1997 Plymouth Breeze
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Questions about the 1997 Plymouth Breeze
Is the 1997 Plymouth Breeze reliable?
Owners have filed 155 complaints about the 1997 Plymouth Breeze, 155.0 times a typical Breeze model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Plymouth Breeze?
Engine and cooling, with 83 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles. Next is brakes (18).
How many recalls does the 1997 Plymouth Breeze have?
4 recalls, covering power train, suspension and structure.
What year does the Plymouth Breeze have bad engine?
The Plymouth Breeze model years with the most engine complaints are 1996 (95 complaints), 1997 (83 complaints) and 1998 (68 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Plymouth Breeze get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze range from 23 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-23 city and 29-34 highway.
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