The contact owns a 1998 Plymouth Breeze. While driving approximately 35 mph on normal road conditions, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the outside of the vehicle. The contact pulled over to inspect the vehicle and noticed smoke coming from the front end, followed by flames underneath the hood. He extinguished the fire and the fire department arrived afterwards. Prior to the failure, the contact heard a clicking noise coming from the engine. He sustained minor hand injuries. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and they stated that the engine was the cause of the failure. The vehicle has not been repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 116,000.

- Sparta, NC, USA

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.

- Windsor, 00, USA

I recently took my Breeze in for an oil change and my mechanic told me I had an oil leak and that it was coming from the head gasket. At the same time he told me about a recall for the gear shift lever. I asked him to wait on the head gasket repair so I could talk to the dealer while I was having the gear shift lever repaired. When I brought up the leaking head gasket at the dealership, the mechanic gave a heavy sigh and shook his head. When I asked what that was for, he said that there was nothing he could do because it wasn't a recall problem. After doing some research on the internet I've found this to be quite a common problem due to a design flaw / manufacturing defect and I find it asinine that daimler-Chrysler will neither take responsibility for nor admit any problem.

- Gardnerville, NV, USA

Loss of power and car stalled, unable to run ac or car stalls. Had the car tuned up, mechanic found engine oil in the spark plug well. Causing misfire and loss of power. Replaced O-ring 6/2005. In 6/2006 same problem occurred. Loss of power, unable to run ac. Was going to replace timing belt, mechanic found thick gunky oil resembling lard. Removed the gunk and weeks later the spark plug well has oil leaking into again with weeks. Car ran well for a couple of weeks, back to the loss of power. Car is not able to run with ac engaged or it will stall.

- Richmond, VA, USA

: the contact stated an excessive amount of oil was noticed on the garage floor. The vehicle was taken to the service dealer, who determined the upper head gasket needed to be replaced. An independent mechanic was also consulted and informed the contact there had been several Chrysler vehicles, with same problem, in the shop for repair. The vehicle had been maintained on a regular basis. Updated 4/11/2006 - the consumer contacted the manufacturer but they refused to provide any assistance.

- Rockford, IL, USA

The vehicle leaked oil through the head gasket. The manufacturer stated there was no recall and offered no assistance.

- Newfoundland, PA, USA

About a month ago we bought a used Plymouth Breeze. We noticed a small oil leak and had it checked. The mechanic told us it was the head gasket. We did some research online and found out that Chrysler was aware that there was a problem with the head gasket in this model before the cars even came off the assembly line! instead of fixing the problem, they produced and sold the cars that way, and later redesigned the head gasket and paid for some customers to have them replaced. We took our car to a local dealership, and they confirmed that it was a common problem. They told us that Chrysler had been paying to have the head gasket replaced. We were given a phone number to contact Chrysler about our car. We called the number, and after being given several other numbers and sent in circles finally reached Chrysler's "customer assistance" center. Not only were we were told that they weren't aware of any such problem and couldn't help us, but the person we spoke with was extremely rude. My husband asked to speak to a supervisor, and was told that "supervisors don't come to the phone". when he asked how to file a complaint, he was told that there was no method to file a complaint. He didn't believe it, so he hung up and called back. He spoke to a different person who told him the same thing. Chrysler doesn't even have a method for customers to file complaints! we searched online for other numbers to call Chrysler, but they all go to the same "customer assistance" center.

- Holbrook, AZ, USA

Head gasket on my 1998 Plymouth Breeze. Nearly every consumer report I have read has shown that this is a consistent problem with anyone who has onwed this this car yet there is no recall. Why?

- Holbrook, AZ, USA

Without warning vehicle stalled, causing the driver to pull off the road. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer. Mechanic informed the consumer that the engine head gasket malfunctioned, causing the engine to fail.

- White Lake, MI, USA

At 87xxx miles the car started leaking oil. It was found to be a leaking head gasket. After speaking to dealership it was found they were aware of the gasket being a problem on this and similar vehicles. When the manufacturer was comtacted directly my wife was informed that they were aware of the situation, they would do nothing to repair the vehicle and then hung up on her when she asked to speak to the customer service rep's supervisor.

- Fayetteville, AR, USA

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.

- Crestview, FL, USA

Rough idle with higher temp/ac load 2 shops could not fix has stalled out several times led to O2 sensor failure due to high carbon

- Concord, CA, USA

Head gasket was leaking. Had it repaired and 2 months later it started to leak again. Told by repair shop this wa a common problem on this model.

- Apo, NY, USA

Head gasket is cracked. Dealer notified.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

Vehicle is leaking oil. Technician diagnosed that head gasket cracked. Dealer notified.

- San Jose, CA, USA

The faulty head gasket caused the engine to leak oil continuously.

- Dubuque, IA, USA

The head gasket needed to be replaced.

- Bay Saint Louis, MS, USA

I own a 1998 Plymouth Breeze. My head gasket is bad, and everyone: The local dealer repair shop and independent mechanics all say that it was a bad design in the gasket metal type. They have seen many of these come through their shops, and none are caused by owner neglect. If it is a deign error, why do I have to pay $600 to get it fixed" should design design problems be covered under a recall"

- Wilmington, DE, USA

Consumer states while driving vehicle, it will just start hesitating to accelerate, had vehicle towed, dealership replaced transmission, problem reaccured, ow they are replacing the head gasket. Nlm

- San Jose, CA, USA

Head gasket was replaced once at 70,000 now needs again at 95,000 also front stabilizer bar is loose.

- Clinton Twp, MI, USA