The 1999 Plymouth Breeze carries 7 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering lower arm and equipment. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Cylinder head gasket leaks and failures.” Plymouth ended in 2001, and everything with the badge is a Chrysler or Dodge underneath. The Voyager is a Caravan, the Neon is a Dodge Neon, the Laser is an Eagle Talon and a Mitsubishi Eclipse. Parts are shared and easy to find. Two things decide whether one of these lasts. First, the four-speed automatic in the minivans and Neons requires Chrysler ATF+4 fluid specifically. Generic Dexron will make it shudder and then fail, and this is the most common way these transmissions die. Second, several engines here use a rubber timing belt, including the 3.0 liter Mitsubishi V6 in the minivans, the 2.0 in the Neon, and the turbocharged four in the Laser. On the Laser's engine a snapped belt bends valves. If you cannot document the last belt, treat it as due.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Campaign #10E059000 · Dec 27, 2010
Issue: 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.
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.
EQUIPMENT
Campaign #09E043000 · Jul 7, 2009
Issue: 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 ADHERED LINE CONNECTORS.
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 IMPORT PRODUCTS AT 1-508-279-8207.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Campaign #09E056000 · Sep 10, 2009
Issue: 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.
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.
STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS
Campaign #06V001000 · May 1, 2006
Issue: 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Campaign #06E088000 · Oct 23, 2006
Issue: 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.
Risk: FUEL RESTRICTION COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF POWER AND/OR ENGINE STALL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Campaign #99V244000 · Sep 15, 1999
Issue: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE RIGHT REAR BRAKE TUBE CAN CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP AND WEAR A HOLE IN IT.
Risk: DAIMLERCHRYSLER RECALL NO. 843. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TUBE COULD LEAK, REDUCING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ONE-HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKING SYSTEM, AND RESULTING IN LONGER STOPPING DISTANCES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRAKE TUBES FOR VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF CONTACT WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CLAMP. IF THE TUBE SHOWS EVIDENCE OF CONTACT, IT WILL BE REPLACED. IF NO EVIDENCE OF CONTACT EXISTS, THE TUBE WILL BE FASTENED WITH A CLIP.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
Campaign #04V021000 · Jan 13, 2004
Issue: 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.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1999 Plymouth Breeze.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
14 NHTSA complaints · 2002-07 → 2006-08
“OIL LEAKING ON GROUND, CAUSED BY FAULTY CYLINDER HEAD GASKET”
“I NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS RUNNING QUITE DIFFERENTLY. I HAD IT CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE A LEAKING HEAD GASKET”
“HEAD GASKET BLOWN. ESTIMATES RANGE FROM $700 TO $1500 TO REPAIR”
POWER TRAIN
13 NHTSA complaints · 2002-09 → 2009-02
“THE KEY COULD BE TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION, WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS IN ANY POSITION. THE "IGNITION-PARK" INTERLOCK FAILED”
“WHILE PARKED, WITH THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, SLIGHTLY BUMPED THE SHIFTER AND KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE 'PARK' POSITION. VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD AND TORN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AGAINST WALL”
“3-YEAR OLD CHILD GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND MOVED THE GEAR SHIFT. THERE WERE NO KEYS IN THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS NOT PRESSED”
AIR BAGS
6 NHTSA complaints · 2001-05 → 2006-05
“WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 MPH. CONSUMER HIT A POLE AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED”
“UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS ON EITHER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A BROKEN NOSE FROM HITTING HER FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL”
“CONSUMER HIT OTHER VEHICLE FROM BEHIND, AND DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY”
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
8 NHTSA complaints · 2000-04 → 2006-07
“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR BRAKE CALIPER FAILED WITHOUT WARNING RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE REAR BRAKES”
“MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING FLUID. HAD TO ADD FLUID EVERY MONTH. WHILE APPLYING BRAKES PEDAL WILL GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR”
“WHEN CONSUMER FIRST ACQUIRED VEHICLE HE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES”
POWER TRAIN
4 NHTSA complaints · 2000-01 → 2002-03
“WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ACCUMULATOR AND TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. ALSO, VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN FIRST GEAR”
“TRANSMISSION SENSOR HAS GONE OUT TWICE. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE SENSOR”
“CONSUMER TRIED TO DOWNSHIFT VEHICLE TO STOP AT A STOPLIGHT AND NEARLY HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T DOWNSHIFT, LATER THE TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING AND FLUID WAS LEAKING EVERYWHERE, THE DEALER STATES THEY ARE WAITING ON A HOSE FOR THE TRANSMISSION”
STEERING
11 NHTSA complaints · 2006-03 → 2010-03
“THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE HIGH PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE. IT STATED THAT THE HOSE COULD CRACK, CAUSE FLUID TO LEAK AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A FIRE”
“HE STATED THAT ANOTHER POWER STEERING HOSE IS LEAKING, BUT THE DEALER WILL NOT MAKE THE REPLACEMENT”
“THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE STEERING: HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST: HOSE, PIPING, AND CONNECTIONS (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V001000)”
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4 NHTSA complaints · 2001-03 → 2004-03
“ELECTRICAL WIRES IN THROUGH FUEL TANK SHORTED OUT, AND FUEL PUMP WOULD SHUT DOWN”
“THE ELECTRIC FUEL PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME INOPERATIVE”
“THE OEM FUEL PUMP FITS INTO THE GAS TANK. THE POSITIVE WIRE LEADING INTO THE TANK SHORTED OUT MELTING THE WIRE INSULATION ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE GAS TANK MELTING THE PLASTIC INTO CAUSING GAS TO LEAK OUT THROUGH THE HOLE IT CREATED”
Note: NHTSA also opened 4 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Chrysler specified 3,000 miles under the severe schedule, which is where an engine of this age belongs. Change at least once a year even if the car barely moves. Nothing in this lineup has an oil life monitor, so the interval is on you.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Use Chrysler ATF+4 and nothing else. The 41TE transaxle, still often called the Ultradrive, is sensitive to fluid friction characteristics in a way most automatics are not. Drain and fill every 30,000 miles. If a shop offers to top it off with universal fluid, decline.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Applies to the 3.0 V6 in the Voyager and Acclaim, the 2.0 in the Neon, and the turbo four in the Laser and Colt. Replace every 90,000 miles or 7 years, whichever comes first, and change the water pump and tensioner at the same time. The Laser's 4G63 is an interference engine, so a failed belt is engine damage rather than a tow. The 3.3 and 3.8 V6 use a chain instead and are not on this schedule.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$935–$1175
Shop
~$655–$825
DIY
Pro only
On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.
Rotate every 7,500 miles. Check the DOT date code on the sidewall. On a car this old, tires almost always age out before the tread runs out.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Inspect pads, rotors, hoses, and hard lines at every service. Rear drums on the Neon, Sundance, and Acclaim seize on cars that sit, and rusted steel lines are a real concern anywhere road salt is used.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.
Replace every 2 years. On a twenty-five-year-old car this is what keeps the master cylinder and the ABS unit from becoming the repair bill.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Copper plugs run 30,000 miles, platinum closer to 100,000. Replace the plug wires at the same time on anything with a distributorless coil pack. After this many years the wires break down before the plugs do.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Replace every 30,000 miles. Simple on every model in the lineup.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
This is the accessory belt, not the timing belt. Replace the belt and tensioner together once either is cracked, glazed, or noisy.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Every 3 to 5 years. Most of this era uses conventional green coolant rather than a long-life formula, so do not stretch it on the assumption that modern intervals apply. The 2.0 Neon engine has a known head gasket history, and clean coolant with a correct pressure cap is the cheapest defense.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Test the battery and alternator once a year. Corroded ground straps are common at this age and produce electrical faults that look far worse than they are.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$225–$390
Shop
~$160–$280
DIY
~$130–$250
Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1999 Plymouth Breeze reflects Plymouth's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.