NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
22,062 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1996 Plymouth Breeze engine problems

engine problem

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1996 Plymouth Breeze Owner Comments

problem #8

Sep 162007

Breeze

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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)

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #7

Apr 152003

Breeze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,500 miles
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. This irritates me for several reasons. Head gaskets are supposed to have a much longer life span that 72K miles. This is a well documented defect with the car I have and I feel that a recall is in order. From what I've read on the internet, many Breeze/neon owners have had success convincing Chrysler to pay for some of the repair. I brought my car in on Tuesday night and it wasn't until the end of the day on Thursday that Chrysler made their decision. In the meantime, the mechanic did not repair the problem because he was waiting on the response from Chrysler. Hence, I was out of the use of my car an additional two days. Additionally, I've already incurred about $400 in expenses most likely related to this head gasket from previous repairs to my oil leak problem. It's a shame all this happened because I was pretty pleased with the car up until I discovered this problem.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #6

Jan 152003

Breeze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles
I acquired a 1996 Plymouth Breeze in March of 2002. The day after I got the car, the "check engine" light came on. Since then, the light has come one a total of 4 times. Each time it has been fixed or looked at, the O2 sensor was the cause of the problem. On halloween 2002, I took my car in to get a routine oil change and to find out the cause of a ticking sound. The auto center (that was doing my oil change) said it was a rod bearing, but when I took the car to the dealership, they said that it was a flywheel. The car was repaired and 2 days after I pick up the car, the "check engine" light comes on for the 4th time. I am taking the car to the dealership and praying that this is the last time I will have to make any repairs for the same thing!!!

- Saint Louis, MO, USA

problem #5

Feb 152003

Breeze

  • Automatic transmission
  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The oil constantly leaks. The head gasket has been replaced three times. (1998, 2000, 2002). The head gasket is now worn again and needs to be replaced. The timing belt replaced once due to the oil leaking on it. Now the timing belt needs to be replaced again

- Mairetta, GA, USA

problem #4

Apr 101999

Breeze 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 54,000 miles
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), Ive 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 my driveway almost all of 2002 because I could not afford the repairs) after all of my futile attempts to keep my transportation operable, itS currently sitting in my driveway with the following problems: It cuts off while driving, the engine revs up and down when idle, there is a severe oil leak that no one can seem to fix, the engine light stays on no matter what repairs are done, the factory radio, the speedometer, and the mileage gauge, no longer work. There is absolutely no pickup when driving up hills, when you turn the ac on there is an unbearable horrible rattling noise and the car loses an obscene amount of power and feels as though itS going to cut off, thereS a scowling noise when you turn the steering wheel left to right it takes 15 minutes in order for the heater to blow out warm air. And I still owe $6,000 on this vehicle.

- Riverdale, GA, USA

problem #3

Feb 072003

(reported on)

Breeze

  • 50,000 miles
The head gasket is leaking oil. The dealership has been contacted.

- Schaumburg, IL, USA

problem #2

Aug 242000

Breeze

  • miles
Car overheated and engine blew out. Check engine and engine temp warning light did not come on. Temp gauge did not register hot. Need to replace engine.

- El Reno, OK, USA

problem #1

Jul 052000

Breeze

  • miles
Car leaks a mocha/chocolate color fluid. Then overheated after being driven about 1.5 miles. I added coolant to bottle and 1 qt oil. Temp gauge was still up after idling for 5-6 minutes. My mechanic examined vehicle and said liquid is oil mixed with water and there is oil in radiator. I contacted Chrysler Corp and they instructed me to take to nearest dealer (michael stead hilltop, richmond, ca) for diagnosis ($89) by service dept. My mechanic suspects blown head gasket or cracked block (?).

- El Sobrante, CA, USA

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