The 1996 Plymouth Breeze with the 2.0L I4 is a first-year Cloud Car with a troublesome early 2.0L SOHC engine prone to catastrophic internal failure and a transmission that shares many Chrysler 41TE weaknesses. Electrical gremlins and front suspension wear are secondary concerns.
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (quart per 500-800 miles), Blue smoke on startup or acceleration, Knocking/slapping noise from bottom end, especially cold, Low oil pressure warning at idle when warm, Catastrophic failure with no warning if neglected
Fix: This 2.0L suffers from weak piston ring lands and inadequate oiling to rod bearings. Band-aid fix is used engine swap (6-8 hours labor). Proper rebuild requires oversized pistons, line-hone mains, new rings, rod and main bearings (20-25 hours). Most techs recommend replacement with lower-mileage junkyard 2.0L or upgrade to 2.4L from later Breeze.
Estimated cost: $2,200-4,800
41TE Automatic Transmission Oil Cooler Line and Internal Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: Delayed or harsh 2-3 shift, Slipping on light throttle acceleration, External cooler line leaks at crimped fittings, Pink milkshake in radiator if internal cooler ruptures, Trans overheating light/limp mode in traffic
Fix: The cooler lines rust and leak at crimp joints (1.5 hours to replace both lines). Internal failure usually starts with governor pressure solenoid or overdrive solenoid, then cascades to clutch pack damage. Full rebuild runs 12-16 hours; most shops install reman unit (8-10 hours). Always replace cooler lines preventively during trans service.
Estimated cost: $1,800-3,200
Lower Ball Joint and Control Arm Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking over bumps or when turning, Steering wander and poor return to center, Inner edge tire wear, Separation of ball joint stud from knuckle (catastrophic), Visible boot tear or grease leaking from joint
Fix: Ball joints are pressed into control arms and fail frequently on these Cloud Cars. Most techs replace entire lower control arm assemblies rather than press new joints (1.5 hours per side). NHTSA recalled these twice for separation risk. Always replace both sides and get alignment (add 1 hour).
Estimated cost: $450-750
Fuel Pump Failure and Tank Corrosion
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 100,000-180,000 mi
Symptoms: No-start with crank but no fuel pressure, Intermittent stalling when tank below 1/4, Whining/buzzing from rear seat area, Hesitation or stumble during acceleration, Fuel gauge erratic or stuck
Fix: Pump assembly lives inside tank and sees corrosion from early-'90s fuel formulations and salt-belt rust. Dropping tank is straightforward (2.5-3 hours). Tank straps and filler neck often need replacement due to rust. NHTSA recalled pump for stalling issues. Use OEM-spec replacement only; aftermarket pumps fail quickly.
Estimated cost: $550-850
Transmission Range Sensor (Neutral Safety Switch) Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi
Symptoms: No crank in park, but cranks in neutral (or vice versa), Intermittent no-start requiring shift cycling, Backup lights inoperative or staying on, Check engine light with P0705 or P0706 code, Speedometer erratic or dead (shares sensor)
Fix: Sensor mounts to left side of transaxle case with three bolts. Adjustment is critical; rotor position must align perfectly or you'll still get no-start. Takes 1.5 hours including cleanup of old RTV and proper adjustment procedure. NHTSA recalled for rollaway risk when misadjusted.
Estimated cost: $280-420
Head Gasket Failure (Overheating-Related)
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 90,000-150,000 mi
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust (sweet smell), Coolant loss with no external leaks, Overheating in traffic or on highway, Oil looks milky or foamy on dipstick, Bubbles in coolant reservoir when running
Fix: Usually secondary to radiator or water pump failure causing overheat. Head must be machined flat and pressure-tested (many have cracks). Job is 8-10 hours including timing belt replacement while you're in there. If head is cracked, used head plus valve job adds $400-600 and 3 hours.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
ABS Pump and Module Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 100,000-160,000 mi
Symptoms: ABS light on with no function, Grinding or chattering during normal braking (not just ABS stops), Soft brake pedal requiring pumping, Leaking brake fluid from pump/modulator assembly, Intermittent ABS activation on smooth roads
Fix: The integrated ABS pump/modulator unit under the master cylinder corrodes internally and leaks. Bleeding is difficult and requires scan tool cycling. Takes 2.5-3 hours including bleed and road test. Used units from salvage are gambles; reman is the smart play.
Estimated cost: $750-1,200
Owner tips
Change transmission fluid and filter every 30K with Mopar ATF+4 only — extends life significantly
Check oil every fill-up on high-mileage 2.0L engines; carry spare quart in trunk
Inspect lower ball joints annually; they fail without warning and cause loss of control
Replace timing belt at 90K or 7 years (interference engine will bend valves if it breaks)
Flush coolant every 2 years; these engines overheat easily with degraded coolant
Pass unless free — the 1996 2.0L Breeze is a money pit with catastrophic engine and transmission failures lurking at every mile; later 2.4L Cloud Cars are far more reliable.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · 10E059000
2010-12-27
FEDERAL-MOGUL IS RECALLING CERTAIN REPLACEMENT CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLIES, PART NUMBERS K7425, 10945, FA4510X, K7427, 10946, AND FA4611X, SOLD FOR USE ON VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE BALL JOINT ON THE CONTROL ARM ASSEMBLY CAN FAIL CAUSING THE BALL STUD TO WEAR THROUGH THE CONTROL ARM HOUSING RESULTING IN NOISE AND/OR SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING.
Consequence: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND REPLACE THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 28, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.
QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN AFTERMARKET BALL JOINTS SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE SOCKET MAY HAVE BEEN EXCESSIVELY HARDENED WHICH COULD CAUSE IT TO CRACK NEAR THE RETAINING RING GROOVE ALLOWING THE BALL STUD TO SEPARATE UNDER IMPACT LOAD. THE SUBJECT BALL JOINTS WERE SOLD AS FOUR PART NUMBERS, D10945, D10946, G10945, AND G10946. THE AFFECTED CONTROL ARMS, D10945 AND D10946, ARE STAMPED WITH THE FOLLOWING DATES ON THE BALL JOINTS: 134308, 135708, 100109, 102709, 104109, 105509, 107609, 108909, 110309, 113209, AND 116609. THE G10945 AND G10946 ARE THE SAME PART AS THE D10945 AND D10946 RESPECTIVELY. THEY ARE LABELED DIFFERENTLY DEPENDING ON THE AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER.
Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE SOCKET OF THE BALL JOINT HOUSING WOULD ALLOW THE CONTROL ARM TO COLLAPSE AND THE WHEEL TO FOLD IN CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE WILL REPLACE THE BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 9, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT QUALIS AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-800-493-4128.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULES, P/NOS. E7089M, E7094M, E7113M, AND E7129M, MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Consequence: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AIRTEX TOLL-FREE AT 1-866-867-3759.
CERTAIN TIGAS FUEL PUMP MODULES MANUFACTURED BETWEEN JUNE 1 AND SEPTEMBER 24, 2006, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AND P/NOS. THESE FUEL PUMP MODULES ARE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET FOR USE IN CERTAIN DAIMLERCHRYSLER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SILICONE MATERIAL USED IN MANUFACTURE OF THE FLAPPER VALVE WAS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESS SWELL OF THE FLAPPER VALVE RESTRICTING THE FLOW OF FUEL TO THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.
Consequence: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE TOLL-FREE AT 1-877-461-1834.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT · 04V021000
2004-01-13 · EA03011
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:PARK/NEUTRAL START INTERLOCK SWITCH · 98V183000
1998-08-06 · EA98014
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.
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS · 97V095000
1997-06-06
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · 96V075000
1996-05-03
THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER CAN LEAK BRAKE FLUID DUE TO A DAMAGED DOUBLE LIP REAR PISTON SEAL.
Consequence: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE CAN RESULT IN DIMINISHED EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE HALF OF THE SPLIT BRAKE SYSTEM. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WARNING LIGHT(S) WILL SIGNAL SYSTEM IMPAIRMENT PRIOR TO PARTIAL BRAKE SYSTEM LOSS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE MASTER CYLINDR PISTON ASSEMBLY.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP · 96V074000
1996-05-02
CORROSION OF THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT CAN CAUSE THE SOLENOID VALVES TO STICK IN THE OPEN POSITION.
Consequence: IF EITHER FRONT WHEEL VALVE STICKS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWERVE FROM A STRAIGHT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A PLATE AND SILICONE GREASE INJECTED INTO THE SOLENOID CAVITY TO ELIMINATE THE POTENTIAL FOR THIS CONDITION.
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