Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1996 Plymouth Breeze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Brakes needed replacing 4 months after buying car. Dealer said was not under warranty. Had complete brake job on front 2 times, 1 on rear, cylinder replaced, shoes replaced, brakes still do not work properly, something comes loose if pressed suddenly causing car to slide and not stop. Pads have been replaced numerous times due to quick wear out. Accident could have been avoided if brakes worked properly. Car does not stop efficiently. Also,engine head gasket was replaced under warranty. Engine has been leaking oil again since 7/98. Dealer maintains that I will have to repair because out of warranty. Oil light does not work to warn when oil is low. Constantly adding oil to keep at proper level. Parking brake has been adjusted several times but does not stay long. Fuel gauge gives inaccurate reading. Appears to be empty when not. Air conditioner quit month before car accident in 8/99. …
Oil pan design defect caused initial report ..see odi 701385..reported nov 1998 when oil pan wore thru and developed slow oil leak and oil pressure warning light failed resulting in engine seizingnecesitating rebuild at aprx $3700.. At 5114 miles later(52900) while on hoist, owner checked pan and found that the pan has again worn almost through from road abrasions during just normal operation with occasional dragging on speed bumbs ,driveway inclines ,road gutters on drive in etc. If continues to wear at current rate expect failure on the new replacement pan in 2500-5000 miles.this pan area immediately below oil drain plug is totally unprotected and is 1st area of impact when car dips for any reason enough to make contact with road. It according to the mechanic at northglenn Dodge when showed to him on hoist and ask..is a common problem with the Breeze and seen alot. …
Ltr fm laura feinstein (wa) re the defective head gasket... The head gasket had torn. Oil leaked from the vehicle. The dealer was contacted for monetary assistance which was discussed with a few Chrysler representatives and the request was denied. The consumers mechanic stated that there were other vehicles that had experienced the same problem. The consumer had requested a full reimbursement for the repair cost. Scc
The vehicles head gasket cracked which resulted in an oil leak. The dealer was notified. The vehicles head gasket cracked which resulted in an oil leak. The dealer was notified. Oil leak started before aug 2002 but other components were diagnosed as problem. Ultimately, the mechanic checked the head gasket and found the root of the problem. I had the part replaced at my own expense to have the car repaired.
1996 Plymouth Breeze 2.0 engine leaks extreme amounts of oil from area where upper, lower, and front seal come together. Not the seal itself. Also seems to run hot. It is not a problem caused over time. It is not sealed from new. Also interior has completely deteriorated as if it were 50 years old.
1996 Plymouth Breeze had something break from the vehicle. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled and caught fire after coming to a rest on the shoulder. The cause of the fire was undetermined. (ohio traffic crash report)
Originally reported trouble to local dealership and they advised me that the problem was not covered by warranty and that I should continue to replace lost oil and that it was not worth fixing because I would probably want to trade it in. Then when I schedualed to have it fixed, about 9 months later, they advised me that they would have never told me that and that it was covered under warrenty. By that time of coarse I was out of milage warrenty. I went ahead and sent it in to have the head gasket repared or replaced whatever needed to be done. They told me at that time that there was a national back order on the part so I did not recieve my vehicle back for over a month. Then when I did get it back I noticed that it was still leaking oil so I called imediately. …
I purchased my 1996 Plymouth Breeze in April of 1998 with 33,000 miles on it and it currently has 115,000 miles on it. The initial signs of problems begin at 50,000 miles with an oil leak no one could seem to fix (not even the dealership). Within a span of 82, 000 miles: I have had to replace the head gasket twice at 54,000 and 113,000 ($1000), I have had two major tune-ups at 60,000 and 92,000 miles ($500), I have had all sensors replaced at 101,000 miles ($1500), I have had three major brake jobs within 18 months ($1800), I had to replace the radiator ($250), I had to have the catalytic converter replaced at 75,000 miles ($350), I had to have a new transmission at 95,000 miles ($1500), I ve had numerous repairs based on the readouts from the computer ($600+), replaced the oil pan gasket but it still leaks ($150) the window seals leak when it rains (never tried to fix) (this car sat in …
The head gasket was really the problem that I have the biggest beef about. I have had an oil leak since at least August 2002 and the mechanic that I've been taking my car to has replaced the oil pressure switch twice and most recently the cam shaft switch. At the last repair, he indicated that I had a torn head gasket, a very common problem with my model of car. I made an appointment with the local Chrysler dealer and then contacted Chrysler about some monetary assistance with this repair. Chrysler confirmed the problem with the dealer and then did nothing for two days until I called back and found out that the decision rested in the regional manager's hands who was out of town on vacation for 4 more days. I contacted Chrysler again and escallated the decision through a few levels of management and found that my request had been denied due to the age of the car and its mileage. …
I purchased a used car, and sometimes you need to fix minor things if the car is old, but this car is a 1996. Almost still new and I just don't understand how the transmission could bad this soon. When I bought the car it was leaking oil so I figured it was just something simple. I took the car into jim earp Chrysler-Plymouth on 55th and l street they told me I needed to replace my headgaskets, and brakes.I did. They car was still leaking so I took it back in on 6/10/99 but they could't look at it. I went to another dealer they told me my transmission is probaly cracked. I do have another friend who bought his car brand new and the same problem, headgaskets went bad, his engine cracked, and now his car is in the shop for bad transmission. My car makes more noise now and it didn't before. …
Engine complaints in other Breeze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1996 Plymouth Breeze?
NHTSA has 95 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1996 Plymouth Breeze, 52% of the model year's 182 complaints. The component named most often is engine (70 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Breeze engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 1996 Plymouth Breeze, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1996 Plymouth Breeze engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.