1995 Eagle Vision Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often write about transmission problems — harsh or delayed shifting, sudden downshifts, fluid leaks and outright transmission failure — and many report repeated repairs or replacements. Steering is the second most common theme, with worn rack-and-pinion bushings, loose mounting bolts and tie rod wear described as gradual developments that were sometimes dismissed as normal wear by dealers. A smaller but consistent group of complaints concerns gasoline odor from the fuel injection area.

1. 1
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shifting problems and failure

   • 22 complaints (23%)
   • median 55,200 mi at 9.4 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1996–2006

   Complaints describe hard or hesitant shifting, shuddering or jerking into overdrive, transmissions that shift on their own (including dropping from fourth to second while moving), and cars that will not engage a gear after being started. Several owners report the transmission had to be rebuilt or replaced outright, in some cases more than once, and that dealers either could not duplicate the problem or attributed it to the transmission itself. A few complaints connect the shifting trouble to the floor shifter and ignition-park interlock, saying the car moved while the indicator showed park. Most reports come from vehicles with roughly 50,000 to 150,000 miles, though some describe trouble at much lower mileage.

   Recall 04V0210001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test drive from cold through every gear, including a manual downshift, and watch for hesitation, shudder or delayed engagement. Ask for transmission service records and whether the floor shifter interlock recall work was completed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Car would hesitate at a stop sign. It did not shift into gears properly. After starting the car and putting it into gear it would not move. We didn't report this problem to the dealer when it was first noticed. In june we called the dealer who wanted $60 just to look at it. We took it to cottman who told us it needed a new transmission. …”

   NHTSA complaint #712531, filed 1999-09

   “Besides the transmission failing, the crankcase started to leak and the air-flow actautor failed. All of this happened within a 30 day period. Chrysler was no help at all on the transmission problem, and was downright rude. After owning 4 chrysler vehicles in my life, I'll never purchase another product from them again. My transmission was serviced by dealers and my car is kept in excellent condition.”

   NHTSA complaint #703166, filed 1999-02
2. 2
   Steering

   Rack-and-pinion bushings, mounts and tie rods worn

   • 9 complaints (9%)
   • median 53,000 mi at 9.8 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 1997–2005

   Owners describe loose or broken bushings where the rack mounts to the steering gear, bolts that loosen repeatedly, and tie rod ends and bushings that wore out early. Symptoms reported include popping or clunking noises, wandering or shaking at speed, and sudden loss of steering assist; in some cases the whole rack had to be replaced because bushings were not available separately. Dealers are said to have called the wear normal for the age of the car or to have found no problem. Complaints cluster between roughly 36,000 and 60,000 miles, with one owner reporting a repeat failure near 100,000 miles.

   What to check: Have a shop inspect the rack mounting bushings, bolts and tie rod ends on a lift, and drive over bumps at low speed listening for popping or clunking.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Dt: the consumer stated the bolts in rack and pinion steering had to be tightened constantly. This has been happening for two years. Vehicle was taken to the dealership, and they stated it was wear and tear. When the bolts became loose the wheel locked. Consumer continued to tighten the bolts, but it only lasted for no more than a week.”

   NHTSA complaint #10130409, filed 2005-07

   “While driving rack and pinion failed. This caused the consumer to lose power steering temporally. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10087463, filed 2004-08, 53,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Gasoline odor and fuel leaks at the injection rail

   • 8 complaints (8%)
   • typically at 4.8 yrs old
   • filed 1998–2004

   Complaints describe a strong gasoline smell inside the cabin or through the vents, sometimes with fuel disappearing quickly or visible leakage at the injection rail sealing O-rings or hairline cracks in the rail. Several owners mention the fuel rail being replaced, in some cases twice, and some say they were told their vehicle was not covered by the related recall or that reimbursement for a prior repair was refused. Mileage is not consistently stated in these complaints; reports span several years of ownership.

   Recall 98V184000

   What to check: Smell the engine bay and cabin after a drive and look for damp or stained areas around the injection rail; ask whether the fuel injection recall was performed and keep receipts if a repair was done before the notice.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving gas fume odor was coming from the vents. Consumer contacted the dealer, and dealer informed consumer that recall 96v158002 for replacement of fuel tank as issued. Mechanic replaced it on this vehicle. But, consumer informed the mechanic that problem recurred, and had not been resolved.”

   NHTSA complaint #10080171, filed 2004-06

   “Nhtsa recall 98v184000 and manufacturer's recall 790; while driving there was a strong odor of gasoline, had to refill tank every two days. When turning vehicle off, there is still a smell of gasoline, dealer and manufacturer contacted and this vehicle is not included in the recall.”

   NHTSA complaint #827570, filed 1998-09
4. 4
   Suspension

   Engine cradle bracket cracks and post-recall noises

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • typically at 5.6 yrs old
   • filed 2000–2005

   Complaints describe the lower control arm attaching bracket cracking and separating from the engine cradle, and several owners report clunking or popping from the front end during turns or stops after the bracket repair was installed. Some say dealers retorqued the bracket repeatedly without resolving the noise, or that parts or tools were unavailable when they tried to get the recall done. Reports range from moderate mileage to vehicles over 100,000 miles, and several follow the recall repair itself.

   Recall 99V215000

   What to check: Ask whether the engine cradle recall was completed and by whom, then have the front end inspected for cracks at the bracket and listen for clunks over uneven pavement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The lower control arm attaching bracket failed prior to recall notice 99v-215 resulting in vehicle loosing acceleration pressure and eventually in transmission failure, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm”

   NHTSA complaint #559168, filed 2000-11

   “Consumer received NHTSA recall campaign 99v215000; daimler chrysler issued an engine cradle recall. This vehicle was not included due to VIN but had the control arm bracket come off the engine cradle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10117294, filed 2005-04
5. 5
   Brakes

   Brake pedal and braking complaints

   • 6 complaints (6%)
   • typically at 4.7 yrs old
   • filed 1997–2000

   Owners report a brake pedal that went to the floor requiring the parking brake to stop, squealing and grinding with longer stopping distances after service, warped or corroded rotors found at inspection, and ABS and brake warning lights that come on intermittently. Several say repeated dealer visits did not resolve the problem or that the work performed was unclear. Mileage is mostly not stated in these complaints; reports span the late 1990s and early 2000s.

   What to check: Check pedal firmness with the engine running, look for brake warning lights, and ask for recent brake and ABS service records; inspect rotors for scoring or corrosion.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When brakes are applied they squeak and grind, resulting in extended stopping distance. Took vehicle in to be serviced, but the grinding and squeaking was still there. Owner was unable to find out exactly what work was done, and believes that no repairs were actually made.”

   NHTSA complaint #859136, filed 2000-03

   “When driving at any speed vehicle stalled. When applying brakes, they went straight to the floorborad, and consumer had to apply emergency brake to bring vehicle to a stop. Vehicle is back in the repair shop, and dealer can't determine the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #839825, filed 1999-06

Buying note. On this model year, prioritize a car with documented transmission service or a recent rebuild, and budget for steering rack bushings and tie rod work on any example that has not had them done. Confirm that the fuel injection and engine cradle recalls were completed on the specific vehicle, since owners report both repeat symptoms and difficulty getting the work done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 54 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.