VehicleVerdict

1996 Plymouth Breeze transmission problems

The 1996 Plymouth Breeze has 28 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 10% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

28

Transmission complaints

10%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

Breeze transmission complaints by model year28 complaints1996: 28 complaints1997: 11 complaints1998: 23 complaints1999: 20 complaints2000: 3 complaints
Breeze transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

04V021000TransmissionJanuary 13, 2004 · 2,315,768 units

Defect

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.

98V183000TransmissionAugust 6, 1998 · 685,000 units

Defect

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.

What owners report

WHILE PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITH NO KEYS IN THE IGNITION, THE GEAR SHIFT OF THE FLOOR CONSOLE WAS ABLE TO BE MOVED. THE VEHICLE ROLLED AND HIT A HOUSE. THE VEHICLE HAD A CHILD INSIDE AT THE TIME THAT SUSTAINED MINOR HEAD INJURIES. THE OWNER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ONE YEAR LATER. NHTSA RECALL…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 1, 2003 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 1996 Plymouth Breeze have?

NHTSA has 28 complaints about the 1996 Plymouth Breeze transmission — 10% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1996 Plymouth Breeze transmission?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the transmission: 04V021000, 98V183000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.