Plymouth›Breeze›1997›2.5L/plymouth/breeze/1997/2-5l/

JA platform

1997 Plymouth Breeze — 2.5L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1997 Breeze 2.5L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.5LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1997 Plymouth Breeze 2.5L is a passenger car built on the JA platform and powered by a 2.5-liter engine paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 city, 29 highway, and 23 combined mpg. This model year accumulated 173 owner complaints across its lifespan, with engine and engine cooling issues representing the most frequently reported problem area, and eight total recalls issued. Compared to the model's broader complaint trajectory spanning 1995 to 2002, the 1997 falls just below the peak of 198 complaints recorded in 1996 but remains substantially elevated relative to the single complaint logged in the final year of production, suggesting that while early production concerns were being addressed, reliability concerns persisted into this mid-generation model year.

Model year1999 1998 1997 1996

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy19/29/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 04105409AE. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Tire sizeP195-70R14OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	04105409AE
Engine air filter	04882141AB discontinued
Fuel filter	04897244AA discontinued · alt 04897416AB
Spark plug	68304149AA alt 68304272AA
Battery	BB75F101AA
Front wiper blades	05012357AB discontinued · alt 05018262AA
Serpentine belt	04663182AC discontinued · alt 04663199AC
Thermostat	P5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	186.2 in
Overall width	71.3 in
Overall height	54.3 in
Wheelbase	108.3 in
Curb weight	2932 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	19 / 29 / 23 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume	96 cu ft
Cargo volume	16 cu ft
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid

DOT 3

Engine torques

Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts	70.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts	8.0-9.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	85-115 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts	45.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order

1-3-2-4

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.75 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	SP-15
Oil Capacity	5.00 oz

Service checks

Pressure Test	15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	192-199 °F
Injector Primary Resistance	12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression	100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle	16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket	16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	0.354
Brake Application	WITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation	0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.35 in / 0.9 in

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 15,000 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 15,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 15,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Power Steering Line (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 22,500 mi	Brake Linings (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 45,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plug Wires (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1997 Breeze sits in the middle of a sustained high-complaint plateau that began with a sharp jump from 3 complaints in 1995 to 198 in 1996, peaked at 183 in 1998, and then declined steadily through 2000. With 173 complaints, 8 recalls, 3 investigations, and the generation's highest TSB count at 83, the 1997 model year reflects elevated regulatory and dealer-service activity rather than an improvement over the prior year. Engine and engine cooling issues dominate the complaint profile at 66 reports — 38% of the total — while service brakes, steering, and suspension each register in the low teens; the data also records 9 crash-related and 8 fire-related complaints for the year. Recalls remain elevated through 2000 before disappearing in 2002, suggesting systemic issues persisted across the generation. The 1997 model does not represent a low-point in the trend; it is a high-activity year with the most TSBs issued. Takeaway: this is not a good year to buy if you prioritize low federal complaint and recall volume.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

173

Owner complaints

9 involved a crash · 8 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’95 ’96’97’98 ’99 ’00 ’02

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 173 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling66

Service Brakes, Hydraulic13

Steering12

Suspension10

Power Train8

Air Bags8

Electrical System4

Fuel System, Gasoline4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E059000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower ArmReported 27/12/2010

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… 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…

09E056000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Lower Ball JointReported 09/10/2009

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… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 83 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
08-049-20	2020-04-22	Electrical System	Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
3100519	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
3100619	2019-11-20	Structure	Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…
3100319	2019-11-20	Structure	Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31-006-19	2019-11-20	Structure	Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Breeze. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

JA-platform vehicles Engine oil filter 04105409AE Engine air filter 04882141AB Fuel filter 04897244AA Spark plug 68304149AA

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 1997 Breeze have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.5L get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 29 highway / 23 combined mpg.