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.
The worst 1998 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.
- Engine68
- Transmission22
- Steering18
- Brakes15
- Airbags12
- Electrical12
- Acceleration8
- Suspension8
- Fuel system6
- Visibility5
- Seats3
- Lights2
- Seat belts2
- Body1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Plymouth Breeze
Fire or smoke 10Ball joint 8No deployment 5Oil consumption 5Stalling 5
Recalls 3
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
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The right rear brake tube can contact the exhaust system clamp and wear a hole in it.
- Risk
- Daimlerchrysler recall no. 843. If this happens, the tube could leak, reducing the effectiveness of one-half of the diagonally split braking system, and resulting in longer stopping distances.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the brake tubes for visible evidence of contact with the exhaust system clamp. If the tube shows evidence of contact, it will be replaced. If no evidence of contact exists, the tube will be fastened with a clip.
Recall number 99V244000 · 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
See all 3 recalls for the 1998 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
Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Plymouth Breeze 76
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- KEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC level part number
- 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
- Malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illumination, diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0442, P0455, or P0456 - leak...
- Flash programming failure recovery
1998 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 | 20-23 | 30-33 | 23-27 |
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 28 | 22 |
What 1998 Plymouth Breeze owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On 11/22/2017 a fire originated in the drivers side dashboard resulting in the vehicle burning to a total loss of the vehicle. Was towed and kept by the tow truck operator after we relinquished the title.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 plymouth breeze. The contact stated that the rear seat belts do not lock and would not retract properly. The failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 216,000.
I have a difficult time turning wheel to the left and like a "clicking noise" anad feel when I am turning to the right. We just did front end alignment, outer tie rods and brake system. Not sure what the problem can be.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 plymouth breeze equipped with falken sincera (na) tires, size: 195/70/r14 (na). While driving 65 MPH, the front passenger side tire blew out without warning. After inspecting the vehicle, the tire bead wire became unraveled, cut through the brakes line, and fractured the lower ball joint. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence, where it was inspected by an independent mechanic. The technician determined that the tire was defective and needed to be returned to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The tires were not replaced and the vehicle was not repaired. The tire failure mileage was 50 and the vehicle failure mileage was 177,000.
Towards the end of july 2014, the front end started making crunching noises when driving at low speeds, turning and or coming to a stop. I also noticed play in the steering. When I took the car for its oil change on august 19, 2014, the shop informed me that the tie rods were loose and both outer tie rods needed to be replaced. This was done on september 25, 2014, at a cost of $511.70, which included a wheel alignment. At that time the shop recommended I replace my brakes which I did on october 31, 2014. The shop suggested that I get another wheel alignment. I still have the crunch and don't know why. Please help., ps: I am the original owner of the car having purchased it new at tufano motors in new britain, ct.
Car has been leaking oil on the back side of head around the head gasket for years, found out that many has had the same problem.... Also noticed that when I remove the number one spark plug that it has oil all over it as well...
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 plymouth breeze. The contact was driving 1 MPH when the vehicle started to smoke from the driver side door panel before catching fire. The contact was able to pull over and exit the vehicle. The fire was extinguished. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The dealer was contacted and they stated that they would have to inspect the vehicle but there had been no response from the dealer. The vehicle was not inspected or repaired. The failure and the current mileage was unknown.
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.
I have noticed that a white smoke has been coming from under the hood, noticeably when the car is turned off, or when I am stopped. I have looked under the hood, and it seems to be coming from behind the engine, on the drivers side. I did replace the valve cover casket, and I thought that was the issue, and cleaned the engine. However, it is still occurring... I notice saturation on the two lines running behind the engines, but not sure if it a crack in the cylinder head. However, I am not loosing oil nor antifreeze. Also, they are not mixing in the engine. It is just happening there. I did find on forums and on the federal safety agency that there was a recall for the 1999-2000 model year for the stratus/breeze/cirrus with a 2.4 ltr engine, and that it is most likely the high pressure return line for the power steering. I have not yet checked the fluid level in the p/s. I have heard that other cars have caught fire, and that p/s fluid is highly flammable... I called daimlerchrysler and they said that with my VIN its not covered under said recall, and the 2 recalls on the car have already been addressed. 1998 plymouth breeze, base sdn 2.4l 4cyl engine VIN: [xxx] owner(self): [xxx] please note what I've found: the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v001000 the federal safety agency action number: pe05036 summary: on certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.4 liter engines, the high pressure power steering hose may prematurely heat age and develop a leak. Also, found on http://www.arfc.org/complaints/1998/plymouth/breeze/10228283.aspx smoke coming from engine compartment. Source of smoke determined to be from power steering fluid leaking from high pressure hose onto exhaust manifold. Defect has been identified in the federal safety agency action no. Pe05036 for this model of car (1998 plymouth breeze, 2.4l engine), however, the resulting recall (06v001000) did not include this year model. The recall should be expanded to additional year models identified in the federal safety agency action no. Pe05036 or the manufacturer.... Information redacted pursuant to the freedo
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Questions about the 1998 Plymouth Breeze
Is the 1998 Plymouth Breeze reliable?
Owners have filed 174 complaints about the 1998 Plymouth Breeze, 174.0 times a typical Breeze model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1998 Plymouth Breeze?
Engine and cooling, with 68 complaints, typically around 67,000 miles. Next is transmission (22).
How many recalls does the 1998 Plymouth Breeze have?
3 recalls, covering power train and service brakes, hydraulic.
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 1998 Plymouth Breeze get?
Official estimates for the 1998 Plymouth Breeze range from 22 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 20-23 city and 30-33 highway.
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