PlymouthBreeze19982.0L/plymouth/breeze/1998/2-0l/
JA platform

1998 Plymouth Breeze — 2.0L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 Breeze 2.0L.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine 2.0LTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 1998 Plymouth Breeze is a JA‑platform passenger car powered by a modest 2.0‑liter engine mated to a four‑speed automatic transmission, drawing 4.5 qt of 5W‑30 API oil per service and achieving EPA ratings of roughly 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined. Its fuel economy and straightforward mechanical layout placed it squarely in the mid‑range of the Breeze lineup, which saw a total of 183 owner complaints for the 1995‑2002 production run, with engine and cooling issues emerging as the most frequent problem area and seven recalls issued for the model year. Compared with the series’ reliability arc—peaking in complaints in 1996 (198) and dropping to a single complaint by 2002—1998 sits in a transitional zone where the vehicle is still prone to the earlier generation’s engine‑related quirks but benefits from incremental improvements that would later culminate in the model’s most complaint‑free year.

Model year20001999199819971996

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque85-115 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/30/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 75 · 510 CCA battery, 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the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.

Battery groupBCI 75 · 510 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195-70R14OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04105409AE
Engine air filter04882141AB discontinued
Fuel filter04764210 discontinued · alt 04897866AA
Spark plug68304272AA alt 68304149AA
BatteryBB75F101AA
Front wiper blades05012357AB discontinued · alt 05018262AA
Serpentine belt04663182AC discontinued · alt 04663199AC
ThermostatP5278144AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length186.2 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase107.9 in
Curb weight2928 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 59.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)63/37

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 30 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume96 cu ft
Cargo volume16 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 85-115 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter

Engine torques

Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s)85.0 ft-lbs
Clutch Pressure Plate Bolts70.0 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts105 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts16.7 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts8.0-9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts85-115 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts45.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)950 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)350 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.51-.61 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance11,500-13,500 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerChampion
Spark Plug Gap0.033-0.038 in
Spark Plug Torque18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.63 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeSP-15
Oil Capacity5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group Number75
Standard BCI Cranking Performance510 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi.
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature192-199 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)46.0-50.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance12 approx. @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression225
Engine Compression100 Minimum psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Torque to Knuckle16 ft-lbs / 100 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket16 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.354
Brake ApplicationWITH REAR DISC
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0005 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.003 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.35 in / 0.9 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages
125.0 ft. lbs.25 ft. lbs
250.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
350.0 ft. lbs.50 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 30,000 mi; coolant every 7,500 mi. The big-interval services (every 7,500 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 miBrake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 22,500 miBrake Linings (inspect)
At 30,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · PCV Valve (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect)
At 52,500 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · PCV Valve (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (replace)
At 105,000 miTiming Belt (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 1998 Plymouth Breeze sits near the peak of a complaint surge that began in 1996, with 183 complaints—second only to the 198 logged for 1996—and well above the 124 in 1999 and just 38 by 2000. Recalls remain elevated at 7, consistent with the 7–10 range seen across the troubled 1996–2000 stretch, while investigations hold at 2, lower than the 4 in 1999. The top complaint area, Engine & Engine Cooling at 66, dominates the year’s issues, and the 21 crash and 11 fire complaints add specific safety concerns, though the data does not specify root causes. This year falls squarely in the generation’s high-problem arc before a clear decline, indicating unresolved early-design weaknesses. For a used purchase, the 1998 model carries substantial risk; later years like 2000 or 2002, with dramatically lower complaint volumes, are far safer choices.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
78
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
183
Owner complaints
21 involved a crash · 11 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 183 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine & Engine Cooling66
Power Train18
Steering12
Electrical System11
Air Bags11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic11
Vehicle Speed Control7
Fuel System, Gasoline6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 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…

09E043000EquipmentReported 07/07/2009

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 78 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
90042752020-07-22Electrical SystemKEY, Master If replacing the key/FOBIK on a WJ, KJ, TJ, or PT Cruiser, use the "AC" NIC…
08-049-202020-04-22Electrical SystemCharging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin…
31005192019-11-20StructureUse of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with…
31006192019-11-20StructureRepair 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 Breeze 2.0L take?

4.5 qt w/ filter of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1998 Breeze have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2.0L get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 30 highway / 23 combined mpg.