1992 Eagle Talon Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the all-wheel-drive transfer case leaking fluid or locking up, at speeds from about 5 to 55 mph and sometimes without warning. Many of these complaints also say the dealer or manufacturer would not perform, or limited, the related recall repair. Few complaints list mileage, and the complaint trend for this model year is described as stable.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transfer case fluid leaks and lockups

   • 16 complaints (29%)
   • median 132,245 mi at 13.8 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2007

   Owners describe the transfer case leaking fluid or locking up while driving, in some cases locking the rear wheels or stalling the engine. Several link the lockup to fluid leaking from a transfer case seal or plug, and one owner says a lockup at about 55 mph sent the vehicle spinning into oncoming traffic. According to complaints, one owner had the transfer case replaced twice, and another says the same problem continued after the recall work was done. Lockups are described at speeds from about 5 to 55 mph, sometimes without warning, and the two complaints that list mileage report about 114,000 and 150,000 miles.

   Recall 98V069002

   What to check: Check the transfer case for fluid leaks and ask for written proof of whether recall 98V069002 was completed or the transfer case was replaced under it.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Have had transfer case replaced once and am now having it replaced again 3 1/2 months later. My vehicle again locked up on me doing 55mph which sent me spinning into oncoming traffic. There were no injuries. My infant son was present in the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #717657, filed 2000-01

   “Awd transfer case lockup while driving 30-45mph. Called local dealers in md & pa to find out if there were any recalls. Found info on site indicating that mfg campaingn # 780 (NHTSA id no. 98v069002) would have applied to my vehicle. Dealers said they would not assist in any fashion. Got it fixed at thoroughbred trans for $2,467.30. Full/partial reimbersement?”

   NHTSA complaint #755930, filed 2001-12
2. 2
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Recall transfer case repair refused or limited

   Mentioned in 6 of 22 sampled complaints

   Owners describe asking dealers or the manufacturer about the transfer case recall and being told the repair would not be performed, or that the dealer was not obligated to inspect or replace the part. In one case the dealer said the vehicle was too old for the repair, and another owner says the vehicle had already been in for the recall but failed later. One owner paid for the repair, and another was unsure whether a free replacement or lifetime coverage applied. Two complaints list mileage, about 114,000 and 150,000 miles, and the others were filed between 1998 and 2007.

   Recall 98V069002

   What to check: Ask the seller for written proof that recall 98V069002 was completed, since complaints describe dealers refusing or limiting this recall work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the contact stated there was NHTSA recall campaign 98v069002 issued in 1998 concerning the transfer case. The contact was not the original owner of the vehicle, but knew that the previous owner took the vehicle to dealer to have the recall work done. Currently, has the same problems with the vehicle, and the manufacturer will not solve the problem again.”

   NHTSA complaint #10144864, filed 2005-12

   “A recall is in effect for a driveshaft yoke/seal related to the transfer case of the vehicle. This defect causes the fluid to leak from the transfer case. Which run on low amounts of fluid due to this leak, damage can occur to the transfer case mechanicals. All of this has been discussed with the NHTSA, chrysler, & mitsubishi. However, due to the subjective wording of the recall and lack of protocol(and dealer knowledge), there is nothing to obligate the dealerships to inspect or replace the transfer case under recall. …”

   NHTSA complaint #9004501, filed 2001-09
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Doors and rear hatch fail or rub body panels

   • 7 complaints (13%)
   • typically at 6.6 yrs old
   • filed 1996–2000

   Owners describe a passenger door that would not open until pushed hard, a door that opens and rubs against the fender, chipping paint, and a dent where the passenger door meets the front side panel. Another owner describes rear hatch hydraulic cylinders that fail intermittently, letting the hatch slam down with enough weight to injure someone. According to complaints, one door problem had not been corrected, and one owner believes the dent points to a body construction issue. No mileage is listed for these complaints, and they were filed between 1996 and 2000.

   What to check: Open and close each door and the rear hatch repeatedly, check the fenders for rubbing marks, and confirm the rear hatch stays open on its own.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Transmission failed in third gear only as I can tell since I cant get to fourth gear. Also, door will open and rub fender, taking off the plastic mouldng and chipping the paint off.”

   NHTSA complaint #702887, filed 1999-02

   “Rear hatchback hyraulic cylnders intermittently fail, slamming the hatch down on anyone or anything that is in the way.the hatch weighs about 70-75lbs and can injure or disable any adult or child if caught when hatch slams down.”

   NHTSA complaint #804734, filed 1996-11

Buying note. Buyers considering this model year may want written proof that recall 98V069002 was completed, along with a check of the transfer case for fluid leaks. Because some complaints describe dealers refusing or limiting this recall work, a documented service history is especially worth reviewing.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 22 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.