1991 Eagle Talon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe problems with the all-wheel-drive transfer case and the manual transmission, including gear oil leaks, grinding shifts, and wheels locking up while driving. A second group of complaints concerns the timing belt and engine cooling, and several owners mention seat belt buckles and retractors that no longer hold or retract.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transfer case oil loss and lock-up

   • 45 complaints (43%)
   • median 86,687 mi at 14.2 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1995–2006

   Owners describe gear oil leaking from the transfer case, sometimes from the driveshaft yoke area, followed by humming, grinding, or the case seizing and locking the wheels while driving. Several say the transfer case was cracked or found empty of oil and that the transmission output shaft and sleeve were damaged as a result. Complaints also describe dealers resealing the case, saying the recall did not require replacement, or declining to cover the resulting transmission damage. Reported across a wide mileage range, from roughly 80,000 to over 90,000 miles in the sampled complaints, often while driving at speed.

   Recall 98V069002

   What to check: Ask whether recall 98V069002 was completed and what the repair involved. Check the transfer case fluid level and look for oil weeping at the driveshaft yoke, and listen for humming or grinding at highway speed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Took my 1991 Eagle Talon tsi to klaben chrysler to be serviced by them per the recall on the car. They called and said everything checked ok. But the transmission is burned up. That week a fellow technician and I pulled the transmission and transfer case as an assembly and found the insides of the transfer case were powder and blown apart inside. The transfer case was not leaking due to no oil at all in the transfer case. I have the invoice ( #chbs538463) that states everything ok but a note that says the transmission is burned up. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10167013, filed 2006-08, 81,374 miles

   “Defect stated in the transfer case recall 98 v 069 002 occurred after the recall repairs were performed. As a result, the bushing in the extension housing wore out and developed a leak. Dealership was refusing to repair the bushing.”

   NHTSA complaint #10044378, filed 2003-10, 92,000 miles
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Timing belt failure and engine damage

   • 10 complaints (10%)
   • typically at 7.5 yrs old
   • filed 1996–2002

   Complaints describe the timing belt slipping or losing teeth at the crankshaft, which stops the camshaft and results in bent valves or a rebuild. Some owners say the belt or balancer belt work had already been done under a manufacturer program and failed again shortly afterward, with one noting repeated engine vibration after the work. Dealers are reported to have said the campaign was already performed by a previous owner. Reported after roughly 7,500 to 15,000 miles of driving since the previous belt service, and around 86,000 miles on the engine.

   What to check: Ask for dated records of the timing and balance shaft belt service, including whether the auto-tensioner was replaced, and have a mechanic inspect the belt condition before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 1991 Eagle Talon broke down on 2/3/99. I have been told the timing belt slipped and caused roughly $3000.00 worth of engine damage. I was told there was a recall back in 1994 but I never received anything in the mail. The same problem ocurred in october of 1993 and it was covered under”

   NHTSA complaint #703826, filed 1999-02

   “1st the timing belt went and I needed to have engine rebuilt. 1000 miles later it happened again and mechanic said the oil pump is causing the timing belt to go and I need a whole new engine. Dealer says that recall was already performed on my car by previous owner and I am out of luck. 86,000 miles is way to premature for an engine repair, ecspecially when manufacture knows this problem exists. They should pay for car repair. Please help!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #716406, filed 1999-12
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Manual transmission grinds or is hard to shift

   Mentioned in 5 of 43 sampled complaints

   Owners of manual cars describe grinding when shifting, especially between second and third or when downshifting, and difficulty engaging reverse or first gear even with the clutch fully pressed. Some report the lever being very stiff or gears that will not engage at all, and a few mention the clutch and transmission failing at the same time as the transfer case. Repair estimates were sometimes declined by owners because of cost. Mostly described on cars with substantial accumulated mileage; mileage is not stated in most of these complaints.

   What to check: On a test drive, shift through every gear including reverse and listen for grinding; ask whether the clutch has been replaced and when the gear oil was last changed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When trying to shift into another gear (5 speed), it would be very hard to shift lever (ea98-002). Took to mechanic & he said he knew what the problem was. Owner refused to have repairs done due to cost. Vehicle still drivable.”

   NHTSA complaint #822509, filed 1998-04

   “Ecu electrical components faulty causing fuel pump to turn on and off repeatedly. Also causes rpms to fluctuate. Manual transmission grinds, shifts roughly, and does not go into gear.”

   NHTSA complaint #742869, filed 2001-03
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Seat belt buckles break and belts do not lock

   • 7 complaints (7%)
   • typically at 5.6 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1995–1998

   Owners report front seat belt buckle release buttons breaking, the metal latch plate separating from the belt, and belts that click but can still be pulled loose after fastening. Some also describe retractors that no longer pull the belt back into place. One complaint describes a belt not restraining the driver in a collision; others say the belt problem continued after recall repairs were made. Mileage is not given in these complaints; reports span the mid-1990s through the early 2000s.

   Recall 95V103003

   What to check: Check that recall 95V103003 was performed, then fasten each belt and tug firmly to confirm it locks, and confirm the retractors pull the belt back.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transfer case lockup can occur due to insufficient lubrication recall 98v-069.000. Also, front sea tbelt buckle release button can break. If a button breaks then pieces can fall into buckle assembly, causing the buckle to malfunction. Recall 95v-103.033.”

   NHTSA complaint #780308, filed 1998-09
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Stalling, loss of power, and engine control faults

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • typically at 8.9 yrs old
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1998–2000

   Owners describe the car stalling or losing power while driving, sometimes with a knocking noise, and mechanics unable to identify the cause. Other complaints describe the engine control unit or computer component under the dash burning out, which stops the car and prevents restarting, and fluctuating engine speed tied to electrical faults. One complaint describes overheating followed by white smoke and flames from the engine bay. Reported at highway and around-town speeds; mileage is not stated in most of these complaints.

   What to check: Ask whether the engine control unit or wiring has been replaced, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes; watch for a burning smell or any history of overheating.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Heard sizziling sound, smelled burning and car stopped completely while I was driving down the road. I was just able to coast to the side of the road. The computer component under the dash is burnt. The car will not start at all. Luckily I was not in heavy traffic when this happened. I have heard of several other owners who have had the same thing happen to their Talon,eclipse or laser which are all the same exact car with identical components.”

   NHTSA complaint #725704, filed 2000-07

   “Car overheated and white smoke was coming out of the engine. Consumer pulled over, and car stalled. Then, there was more white smoke, and consumer saw flames coming out of engine.”

   NHTSA complaint #865278, filed 2000-07

Buying note. This model year is old enough that service history matters more than mileage, particularly for the transfer case recall, the timing belt, and the seat belt buckle campaign. Ask for documentation of those repairs and have a mechanic inspect the all-wheel-drive system and belts before buying.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 43 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.