1998 Plymouth Breeze Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about engine oil leaks traced to the head gasket, usually noticed as drops on the ground or a low oil level rather than a sudden failure, and frequently reported from about 40,000 to 90,000 miles. A smaller but consistent group of complaints covers harsh or delayed automatic transmission shifting, loose front-end steering parts, and fires that began under the hood while parked or driving.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Head gasket oil leak

   • 44 complaints (25%)
   • median 64,000 mi at 6.7 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • filed 1999–2013

   Owners describe oil spots or drops under the car, a gradually worsening leak, and a mechanic finding it comes from the head gasket. Some report oil mixing into the coolant or the engine overheating, and several say they were told the gasket had to be replaced, with estimates commonly in the several-hundred to $1,000 range. A number of complaints say dealers or the manufacturer acknowledged the pattern in these engines but offered no assistance because no recall covered it. Reported from roughly 8,000 to about 100,000 miles, with many between about 40,000 and 80,000 miles; often found during a routine oil change.

   What to check: Look for fresh oil residue around the head gasket area and under the engine, and check the coolant for oil. Ask whether the head gasket has been replaced and keep the oil level checked between services.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “About a week ago my car started leaking oil, I brought it into the mechanics and was told it was the head gasket, it should not be leaking oil, there must be a defect, there should be a recall because it looks like there is a lot more people with this problem, I want something done about this fast, because shouldn't have to pay a $1000 to get it fixed when it is daimler chrysler fault.”

   NHTSA complaint #10175467, filed 2006-12, 63,000 miles

   “Oil gasket leak. I drive approx. 100 miles a day and my car has 174,000 miles and I am gett ready to replace my 4th head gasket and 3rd. Manifold gasket. Every mechanic I have been to said it's a problem with this car. Chrysler knows it a problem (they designed a new head gasket) but will not recall the thousands of us out there that have spent hundreds of dollars. I'm not replacing the head gasket this time, I'm replacing my car.”

   NHTSA complaint #10045573, filed 2003-11, 44,000 miles
2. 2
   Steering

   Loose front tie rods and steering play

   • 13 complaints (7%)
   • median 103,500 mi at 12.1 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2019

   Owners describe crunching or clunking from the front end at low speeds and while turning, along with play or looseness in the steering. Complaints say outer tie rods were found loose and replaced, sometimes more than once on the same side, and in one report the steering column locked while driving. Spread from very low mileage up to about 130,000 miles, with several reports in the 60,000 to 110,000 mile range.

   What to check: Have the front end inspected with the wheels off the ground, checking tie rod ends and steering play, and ask for recent alignment or front-end service records.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Visible white smoke coming from engine compartment. Damaged power steering pressure line was found after diagnostic care was provided. Checked for other known issues, found recall # 06v001000 describing my exact issue and falling under similar model of car, however my car does not qualify for that recall and all recalls have been completed on the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #11289359, filed 2019-12, 125,000 miles

   “Towards the end of july 2014, the front end started making crunching noises when driving at low speeds, turning and or coming to a stop. I also noticed play in the steering. When I took the car for its oil change on august 19, 2014, the shop informed me that the tie rods were loose and both outer tie rods needed to be replaced. This was done on september 25, 2014, at a cost of $511.70, which included a wheel alignment. At that time the shop recommended I replace my brakes which I did on october 31, 2014. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10652071, filed 2014-11, 80,000 miles
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh or delayed automatic transmission shifting

   • 26 complaints (15%)
   • median 89,500 mi at 8.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2010

   Complaints describe the transmission jerking or slamming on upshifts and downshifts, hesitating to find the right gear in stop-and-go traffic, and in some cases dropping into a reduced-speed limp mode with the check engine light on. Owners report fluid and sensor replacements were tried, and some say the dealer could not resolve the shifting problem. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 200,000 miles, often after extended highway driving or in heavy traffic.

   Recall 04V021000Recall 98V183000

   What to check: Drive the car through several upshifts and downshifts from a cold start and again after highway driving, watching for harsh engagement or a check engine light. Ask whether the shifter interlock recalls were completed and whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10333985, filed 2010-06, 197,052 miles

   “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.”

   NHTSA complaint #10050356, filed 2003-12, 176,000 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Fires that start in the engine compartment

   • 28 complaints (16%)
   • median 109,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2017

   Several complaints describe smoke or flames from under the hood, sometimes while driving and sometimes while the car was parked and unoccupied. Owners report the vehicles were towed or totaled, and in some cases fire department findings pointed to an electrical short or fuel-related leak. Reported from about 55,000 to 126,000 miles across the sampled complaints, with no consistent mileage.

   What to check: Check for a fuel smell, oil-soaked wiring, and power steering fluid leaking onto hot exhaust parts, and ask whether any prior fire or wiring repairs were done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I received a call from the spokane city police regarding an engine fire in an unoccupied parked car that was registered in our name. The fire department had put the fire out and I was asked to tow it away. This was about 6:30 pm while my wife was at an event 4 blocks away. I drove there to meet the two truck to bring the car to our house where it is at this time. I could see where the fire department had to break the drivers side window to open the hood where there was white residue everywhere. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10383463, filed 2011-02, 126,000 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10139440, filed 2005-10, 90,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake line chafing and rear brake drag

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a brake line wearing through where it rubs nearby components and then bursting, loss of most braking ability, and vibration when braking on slopes. Owners also report cracked rear shoes, a leaking wheel cylinder, and a rear brake that would lock up then release slowly. A mix of very low mileage (near 7,000 miles) and higher-mileage reports up to about 100,000 miles.

   Recall 99V244000

   What to check: Ask whether the rear brake tube recall was performed and have the brake lines and hoses inspected for rubbing, cracks, or leaks, including at the rear axle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There has been a continous oil leak involving my 1998 Plymouth Breeze upon inspection from a local auto shop they informed me that they have serviced and replaced the head gasket on some 1998 Plymouth Breeze for oil leaks. They have had to reservice the same cars within a six month period for the same head gasket leak. While driving at a speed of 50 MPH the AC clutch broke off from under the hood, causing the vehicles AC unit to stop responding. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10086869, filed 2004-08, 67,000 miles

   “My father in law said he was having trouble with the brakes on his 1998 Plymouth Breeze. When I looked at the master cylinder in was almost empty. When I pulled the front wheels the left pad was worn a good bit more than the right. When I pulled the rear wheels the right shoes were cracked and the left wheel cylinder was leaking. I made all the repairs but I couldn't get a proper bleed on the rear brakes. Further looking showed the right rear brake was locking up than slowly releasing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10161903, filed 2006-07

Buying note. Have a mechanic inspect for head gasket oil leaks, front-end steering wear, brake line condition, and any sign of fluid leaking onto hot engine parts before buying. Confirm which of this model year's open recalls, particularly the shifter interlock and rear brake tube campaigns, have actually been completed.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.