Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 1999 Plymouth Breeze, and it carries 7 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 20 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 11% |
| Power train | 12 | 10% |
| Steering | 11 | 9% |
| Air bags | 9 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 8 | 6% |
| Suspension | 4 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 3% |
| Structure | 4 | 3% |
| Visibility | 3 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
AS SAID AS A RECALL THE CONTROL ARM BUSTED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND ALMOST CAUSE ME TO WRECK.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED FROM 60 TO 0 MPH BEFORE REGAINING POWER AND RETURNING TO NORMAL SPEED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAIL
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE (2.4 ENGINE) CAUGHT FIRE WHEN I PARKED THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
MY 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE (2.4 ENGINE) CAUGHT FIRE IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AS SOON AS I PARKED THE CAR. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DROVE THE CAR TO A RESTAURANT FOR DINNER. PARKED THE CAR AND WENT INTO THE RESTAURANT. APPROXIMATELY 15 MINUTES LATER I SAW A FIRE TRUCK IN THE AREA OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER WATCHING FOR A MOMENT I REALIZED THERE WAS SMOK
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I DROVE MY CAR FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR TO A INTERVIEW FOR A JOB, IT TOOK ME MAYBE 20 MINUTES TO GET THERE AND 20 MINUTES TO GET BACK HOME. I PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY WENT IN TO THE HOUSE 5 TO 7 MINUTES AFTER I RETURN
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
SHOULD HAVE A FILE ON RECORD, 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK, WITH ENGINE TURNED OFF, AND NO KEY IN IGNITION, DRIFTED BACKWARDS, RIPPED FRONT PASSENGER DOOR OFF, NEARLY RAN OVER TWO CHILDREN IN THE STREET. CAL
NHTSA complaint: Parking brake
DAVES AUTOSALES OWNER DAVE MALMFELDT 801-560-2754 OR 801-562-8884 NEVER INFORMED US OF A SAFETY RECALL ON E23 HIGH POWER STEERING HOSE WHICH RESULTED IN A FIRE AND TOTAL LOSS OF 1999 PLYMOUTH BREEZE .THE DEFECT AND RECA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for the 1999 Plymouth Breeze. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 HO
Risk: IF THERE IS A SEPARATION OF THE BALL STUD FROM THE HOUSING, THE DRIVER CAN LOOSE STEERING CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
IMPORT PRODUCTS IS RECALLING 30,351 FUEL FILTERS SOLD TO AND BRANDED BY THE AFFINIA GROUP AS CARQUEST P/N 86523, NAPA P/N 3523, AND WIX P/N 33523 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THESE FILTERS MAY DEVELOP A LEAK IN THE HOSE ASSEMBLY AND/OR CONNECTORS DUE TO IMPROPERLY
Risk: THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.
Fix: THE AFFINIA GROUP WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE FILTERS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT WIX FILTER RETURN CENTER AT 1-704-869-7411 OR IMPO
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 S
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.4 LITER ENGINES, THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE MAY PREMATURELY HEAT AGE AND DEVELOP A LEAK.
Risk: POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY RESULT IN AN UNDERHOOD FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE FREE OF CHARGE. THE THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 10, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 43 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 124 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 20 of them (16%). There are 7 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1999 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.