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 1998 Plymouth Breeze owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Dt: the contact owns a 1998 Plymouth Breeze. On 10-09-05 the car caught on fire and burned. It was parked in the driveway. The contact reported having no problems with the car prior to this incident. The fire department was called, and they said it was some type of electrical short that caused the fire. The police also responded. The fire originated from under the hood. The car was totaled. The contact had liability insurance on the car. The contact stated there was a recall concerning the power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift. He received the recall letter a tthe beginning of July-2005. He was back and forth with the Chrysler dealers since receiving the recall letter because the dealer said they needed a recall number and paper work from their home office concerning the recall. The consumer was unable to get the recall repairs done.
Check engine light came on, p0700 & p0725 codes. There are related to transaxle problems. Transmission will, after about 30 miles of freeway driving, jerk slightly, then "check engine" light will come on. Transmission then shifts poorly, jerks and slams on down and up shifts. Trans will then go into limp mode, limiting speed to 45 MPH max. Researched the problem online, there are 1000's of similar transaxle problems reported. So far, have changed trans fluid, twice. Last time cost was $150+. Replaced input and output trans sensors, input replaced twice. Cleaned all underhood grounds, reset computer by battery disconnect. Taken to independent shop, they said maybe crank position sensor or trans control computer. Took to dealer, they checked and found faulty input trans speed sensor. This car only has 63K miles, it should not be having this much powertrain trouble. …
Vehicle was taken in for recall for ignition interlock, and was not repaired correctly. Told the service advisor the ignition interlock was inoperative. They installed the incorrect part, when according to the recall, if the interlock was inoperative, the shifter was to be replaced. They did not install the shifter, rather they installed the load limiting pushrod which did not remedy the failure of the interlock.
Consumer's four year old son accidentally hit the shift gear into neutral causing vehicle to roll back and hit another car. No keys were in the ignition when this occurred. The consumer stated there was a recall on the issue, however the consumer has since sold the vehicle.
Consumer complained about a gear shift problem. This problem prevented the driver from removing the key from the ignition. A recall was issued on this make/model/year, however this vehicle was not included in the recall due to VIN.
*inter locking system.shift button doesn't always lock in gear.found out that button was installed upside down and backwards. They turned it around and adjusted the linkage. *both front window runs were installed wrong.water poured through them.window runners had to be ordered and installed three times. *window cranks on both front doors were installed wrong. Replaced them. *parking brake button popped out.the lever assembly was replaced.still having problems. *drivers door won't stay adjusted.had door adjusted along with sriker. Door still won't stay adjusted. *both front speakers cut out.they installed new ones'. *passenger front door panel for mirror was broken. They replaced. *steering column makes grinding noise. They replaced the steering column.still having same problem. *trasmission caught in lower gear while driving.problem hasn't been found. *right rear door plug was missing. …
Transmission can be taken out of park without using the key. Can also shut the engine off and remove the key without placing the transmission in park. I reported this to the dealership where I purchased the car and they supposedly replaced a cable to the transmission but told me that this is suppose to be this way. I called the Chrysler customer center at [phone] and explained the problem and again was told that this car was manufactured this way and that this is the way it is suppose to be. To me this is a safety concern because anyone can get in my car and pull it out of park withuot using a key and sometimes when I get out of the car I remove the key while it is still in drive. Should I not have to place the gearshift in park before I remove the ignition key? And shouldn't I need to use the ignition key to take the gearshift out of park?
Gear also moves into third. This has happened so many times I can't count them. This happens because the shifter will show drive but really be inbetween gears. I have taken it back to the dealer many times. They say it is a part of the safety procedures that allow you to move from drive to neutral but not reverse without depressing the button. I am not the only driver of my car that this has occurred to. If it is a part of the "safety" mechanism, I contend that it is not safe. Please help me make sure Chrysler gets the message. No one else seems to want to do so. Thank you.
Started car up, air conditioner on, backing up, put in drive and instead of drive being highlighted on the dash, all letters were highlighted and the car drove in the lowest gear possible, car dealer unable to find the problem. When care was turned off and restarted in was OK.
After driving transmission didn't shift correctly. When accelerating from a low speed transmission doesn't find the right gear mainly in heavy traffic. Dealer contacted and cannot remedy the problem. Warranty exists. Problem still exists. Provide further information.
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 1998 Plymouth Breeze?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 1998 Plymouth Breeze, 13% of the model year's 174 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 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 1998 Plymouth Breeze transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire 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.