Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1996 Breeze 2.5L.
The 1996 Plymouth Breeze is a passenger‑car built on Chrysler’s JA platform and powered by a modest 2.5‑liter inline‑four engine that defined the model’s front‑wheel‑drive layout. Its engineering, while straightforward, attracted the most attention in the Breeze’s 1995‑2002 run, registering 198 owner complaints—the highest tally for any year and prompting ten manufacturer recalls, with engine and cooling issues topping the grievance list. Compared with later iterations that saw complaints fall to a single report by 2002, the 1996 Breeze represents the peak of the model’s reliability challenges, signaling to researchers that this year is the most critical reference point for understanding the vehicle’s long‑term durability profile.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05281090AB. 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the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, front wiper blades and serpentine belt are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known.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.
| Engine oil filter | 05281090AB |
| Engine air filter | 04882141AB discontinued |
| Fuel filter | 04897244AA discontinued · alt 04897416AB |
| Spark plug | 68304149AA |
| Battery | BB75F101AA |
| Front wiper blades | 05012357AB discontinued · alt 05018262AA |
| Serpentine belt | 04663182AC discontinued · alt 04892479AB |
| Thermostat | P5278144AA |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 186.2 in |
| Overall width | 71.3 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Curb weight | 2910 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 60.2 / 59.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 64/36 |
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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Lug Nuts | 85-115 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 180 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 185 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-2-4 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.75 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | SP-10 |
| Oil Capacity | 5.00 oz |
| Pressure Test | 15; Do not allow pressure to exceed 20 psi. |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 14-18 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 192-199 °F |
| Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum) | 48.0-54.0 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 13-16 @ 68 degreesF ohms |
| Engine Compression | 100 Minimum psi |
| 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 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
In 1996 the Breeze saw a dramatic spike in consumer feedback, with 198 complaints—over 60 times the 1995 level and far above the 173–183 range recorded for the surrounding years. That surge coincided with the highest recall count in the generation (10 recalls) and the second‑highest number of technical service bulletins (78), suggesting more systemic issues that year. While investigations were low (only one), the top complaint categories—Engine & Engine Cooling (76), Power Train (17), Service Brakes (15), and Steering (13)—indicate that the problems were spread across critical systems rather than isolated to a single component; the data does not specify root causes. Crash‑related complaints (16) and fire reports (2) were modest relative to the overall complaint volume, but their presence underscores the seriousness of the 1996 issues. Compared with the declining trend after 1997—complaints falling to 38 by 2000 and just 1 by 2002—1996 appears to be an outlier year of heightened risk, making it a less advisable choice for a purchase.
All 198 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
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.
Showing 5 of 78 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… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.