Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
While parked on a slight incline with no keys in the ignition, the gear shift of the floor console was able to be moved. The vehicle rolled and hit a house. The vehicle had a child inside at the time that sustained minor head injuries. The owner received a recall notice one year later. NHTSA recall campaign 04V021000; floor shift console. Please provide details.
On November 15th, 1998, my husband was driving our Plymouth Breeze on his way to work. While driving he heard several terrible, loud noises coming from under the hood and immediately loss power. The vehicle was towed to aamco transmittions. Aamco transmittions found the problem to be, the differental pin worked its way out of place, catching itself on metal. The differential pin split into three pieces (aamco believes). The differential pin made several 3 inch holes in the casing of the transmission. The transmission was contaminated and destroyed. The solution, to replace the complete transmission. The Plymouth Breeze in this report has not ever been serviced for problems other than recalls. We believe the damage started to begin while the car was still in its warranty life. We have spoken to two Chrysler engineers, two transmission specialists, and three chrylser dealership employees. …
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 …
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. …
I'm so disappointed in this car. I bought it new in 1996, and it's been constant problems since I did. The first time the head gasket went out, the car was still under warranty, but has gone out twice since then. I've spent so much money on repairs, that I could have bought a whole new car if you add it all up. The brakes are always squeeking and wearing out quickly. Whenever one thing goes wrong, it's quickly followed by several other problems. My transmission had a massive leak last year (2001) that took the dealer two times to fix. But now it's leaking again. I went and bought a new Kia two days ago--but I'm reluctant to try and sell this lemon to anybody. It has no trade in value whatsoever. Now that I'm aware of the major head gasket problems, I wonder if there's any sort of class action lawsuit against the makers of Plymouth? I want my money back!!!
ABS light stays on at all times. Brake pedal is very hard when applied. On July 26 the front rotors were replaced. Also noise and vibration was experienced when brakes were applied. Vehicle also pulls when braking, on one occasion front rotors were overheated, dealer stated this was due to an ABS problem, consumer found there was a recall on the master cylinder 96V075, there was also a recall on the ABS 96V074. Transmission made a grinding noise and while at a complete stop, vehicle's gears shifted on their own. Steering wheel squeaks when making turns.
Consumer stated that the remedy did not correct the problem. Recall number 98V183000. The dealer said that the faulty component functioned as designed. However, the recall notice said that when the transmission came out of park with the key removed, which it does, or if the key came out of the ignition switch without being turned to the off position, which it does, the ignition interlock cable was defective and needed to be replaced.
Vehicle lunges/surges at idle. Acts like it doesn;t go out of gear. Must press firmly on brake to keep vehicle from lunging ahead. Very rough idle. Shakes steering wheel violently. Must place transmission in neutral at stop to control vehicle. When shifted to neutral engine races momentarily and then slows down. Vehicle is hard to control when stopped, performance unpredictible, unreliable and dangerous to other persons and vehicles.
When applying the brakes there is a noise which indicates more wear and tear on the braking system. Dealer said they fixed the problem. Problem still exists. Also, steering wheel becomes "stiff and hard." occupant cannot control the vehicle. In addition, problems with transmission, when the occupant accelerates the vehicle does not "perform as it should". Causes unknown. Please provide details.
Transmission started having a loud rattle when checked out car is leaking transmission fluid and will need to have transmission replaced. I do not feel that the transmission should go out in 59,000 miles. I also feel that the dealer should have found that the car was leaking transmission fluid in the 2 times that I had the vehicle in, this was very obvious problem if they had checked it out properly.
Related recalls
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Park/neutral start interlock switch
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.
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.
NHTSA 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…
Transmission complaints in other Breeze years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 1996 Plymouth Breeze?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1996 Plymouth Breeze, 14% of the model year's 182 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1996 Plymouth Breeze transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-021 (floor shift, Jan 13, 2004); NHTSA recall 98V-183 (park/neutral start interlock switch, Aug 6, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1996 Plymouth Breeze transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 147,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.