Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

1997 Plymouth Breeze: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze, most recently filed January 2004. Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
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Recalls (4)

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 1997 Plymouth Breeze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 04V021000 Filed Jan 13, 2004

DAIMLERCHRYSLER/FLOOR SHIFT IGNITION-PARK INTERLOC

Power train · automatic transmission · lever and linkage · floor shift
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported2,315,768 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V021000
Listed for 1997 Plymouth Breeze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 98V183000 Filed Aug 6, 1998

CHRYSLER/IGNITION KEY SHIFT INTERLOCK

Power train · automatic transmission · park/neutral start interlock switch
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Repair progress not yet reported685,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 98V183000
Listed for 1997 Plymouth Breeze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V201000 Filed Nov 13, 1997

CHRYSLER/LOWER CONTROL ARM

Suspension · front · control arm · lower ball joint
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BALL JOINT CAN SEPARATE DUE TO LOSS OF LUBRICATION.
Consequence
SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BALL JOINT END HOUSING COVER SEAL FOR LEAKAGE WITH A HIGH PRESSURE AIR TESTER AND THE RUBBER BOOT WILL BE VISUALLY INSPECTED FOR DAMAGE. IF THE COVER SEAL LEAKS OR THE BOOT IS DAMAGED, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL BE REPLACED.
Repair progress not yet reported599,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V201000
Listed for 1997 Plymouth Breeze. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 97V095000 Filed Jun 6, 1997

CHRYSLER/SECONDARY HOOD LATCH

Structure · body · hood · hinge and attachments
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING CAN DISENGAGE FROM ITS RETENTION HOLE IF THE HOOD IS SLAMMED SHUT.
Consequence
IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS SIMULTANEOUSLY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE PRIMARY LATCH, THE HOOD WOULD NOT BE RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SECONDARY HOOD LATCH SPRING WITH A LONGER END HOOK SPRING.
Repair progress not yet reported219,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 97V095000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (155)

155 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.

9involved a crash
8involved a fire
8injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1997 Plymouth Breeze, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 155.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 1997 compares with other Breeze years

Best and worst Breeze years →
199619971998199920002002
This year (1997)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 27 mpg combined

27
mpg combined
23
city
34
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$2,500
CO₂ tailpipe
329 g/mi
EPA class
Midsize Cars

What it costs you to run

$2,419per year
$202per month
556gallons a year

Miles ÷ 27 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

1997 Plymouth Breeze configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualFront-Wheel Drive23 / 34 / 27$2,500329
2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 23$2,900386

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 1997 Breeze for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All Breeze years

Where to next

1997 Plymouth Breeze FAQ

How many recalls does the 1997 Plymouth Breeze have?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 04V021000 (power train), 98V183000 (power train), 97V201000 (suspension), 97V095000 (structure). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 1997 Plymouth Breeze problems?

Owners filed 155 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (83), Service brakes (18), Steering (14) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 1997 Plymouth Breeze get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 23 city, 34 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 1997 Breeze compare with other years?

Among the 1996–2002 Plymouth Breeze model years at least five years old, the 2002 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 1996 the most (182). The 1997 drew 155. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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