1997 Plymouth Breeze problems & reliability
155 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
8 complaints report injuries (8 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 83 | 54% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 17 | 11% |
| Steering → | 14 | 9% |
| Suspension → | 14 | 9% |
| Power Train → | 11 | 7% |
| Air Bags | 9 | 6% |
| Electrical System | 9 | 6% |
| Unknown OR Other | 8 | 5% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 7 | 5% |
| Equipment | 4 | 3% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 77,725 miles (middle 50% between 54,508 and 98,005 miles), based on 24 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“1997 plymouth breeze. Consumer writes in regards to ignition recall and other recall notice issues. *smd”
Electrical System · filed Mar 30, 2018
“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…”
Service Brakes · filed May 4, 2015
“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…”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Jul 10, 2009
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK
Engineering Analysis EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004 · led to recall 04V021000
- STEERING SHAFT BINDING
Engineering Analysis EA99028 · opened Sep 10, 1999 · closed Jul 26, 2001 · led to recall 01I012000
- STEERING SHAFT BINDING
Preliminary Evaluation PE99030 · opened May 3, 1999 · closed Sep 10, 1999
Technical service bulletins
82 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze. The 10 most recent:
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
31-005-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
R2118796A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 26, 2016
Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that…
23-014-15 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 23, 2015
Seat belt cinch bar service for various models including 2004 models. *tt
0801003 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 25, 2003
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1997 Plymouth Breeze has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1997 Plymouth Breeze?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 77,725 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.