The 1998 Eagle Talon has 4 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is service brakes, hydraulic (6 complaints).
Problem: CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
NHTSA recall 00V421002 · Dec 18, 2000 · 393,796 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 98V069002 · Apr 7, 1998 · 42,214 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ADEQUACY OF THE TRANSFER CASE OIL VOLUME, TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AND OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION OF THE TRANSFER CASE MECHANISM. IF OIL VOLUME IS INSUFFICIENT, THE APPROPRIATE AMOUNT OF OIL WILL BE ADDED. IF THERE IS TRANSFER CASE OIL LEAKAGE, AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. IF THE TRANSFER CASE SHOWS OPERATIONAL DEGRADATION, THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.
Vehicle speed control
NHTSA recall 98V045002 · Mar 3, 1998 · 27,527 vehicles
Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Risk: THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
1998 Eagle Talon 2-DR. HB.
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
Not Rated
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Talon
24mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel
Talon
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 29 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Talon
23mpg combined
City / highway
20 / 30 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel
Talon
22mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 28 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel
Talon
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 26 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel
Talon
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 25 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
Talon
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components; Foundation components › Disc
6
1
0
0
72,000 mi
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal; Cruise control
4
2
0
0
—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys; Engine
4
0
0
0
—
Steering Hydraulic power assist › Pump
2
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Ignition › Switch
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Anchorage
1
0
0
0
—
Child seat
1
0
0
0
—
Seats
1
0
0
0
—
Suspension Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
1
0
0
0
—
Tires
1
0
0
0
—
Structure Body › Door › Hinge and attachments
1
0
0
0
—
Power train Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Dec 15, 2005 · 194,000 milesEngine and engine cooling DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HARMONIC BALANCER IN THE ENGINE FELL APART WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE SMOKE HE SAW COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WHERE HE HAS DONE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS.*AK
Sep 15, 2005 · 72,000 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components ON AUG.24 2005 PURCHASED AN EAGLE TALON(1998)THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THE SALES REP MESSED WITH SOME WIRES AND IT STARTED. WE GOT IT HOME THE FOLLOWING DAY IT WOULDN'T START. OUR MECHANIC HAD TO REPLACE SOME OF THE WIRING. THE NEXT THING THAT WENT WAS THE CLUTCH CABLES. THE SAME DAY THE CABLES WERE REPLACED THE BRAKES STARTED ACTING UP. WE TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND THAT THE ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. SOMEONE HAD PUT POWER STEERING FLUID IN THE MASTER CYLINDER,WHICH RUINED THE SYSTEM. THE MECHANICS ARE WILLING TO MAKE THE STATEMENT THAT THIS DAMAGE WAS DONE BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT. THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE INSPECTED THE DAY BEFORE WE BOUGHT IT,THAT…
Apr 5, 2004Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive) WHILE DRIVING AT 100 MPH THE BACK WHEELS LOCKED UP. CONSUMER'S VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL, ALMOST HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE. ALSO, THE VEHICLE LEAKED OIL. CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM STEMMED FROM RECALL CAMPAIGN 98V069002 CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE. *AK
Mar 4, 2004 · 83,536 milesService brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Drum WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO HEAR METAL AGAINST METAL. THE MECHANIC STATED THE BRAKE DRUMS HAD FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
Jan 1, 1901Vehicle speed control › Cruise control FOIA REQUEST FOR CERTIFIED COPIES OF INFORMATION/DOCUMENTS REC'D OR FWD TO CHRYLSER OR CONSUMERS RE: 1998 EAGLE TALON DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM CABLE FIX, STUCK THROTTLE ISSUES.*MR (NAR) *CB
Aug 7, 2003Structure › Body › Door › Hinge and attachments VEHICLE DOOR HANDLE BROKE OFF. *MR THE PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE HAD BROKEN OFF WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER TRIED TO GET IN THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL DAYS LATER THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE HAD BROKEN OFF AS WELL. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE DEFECTIVE PART(S). *SCC
Jun 2, 2001Engine and engine cooling › Engine HEAD GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL, CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. *AK CONSUMER IS CONCERNED OF A FIRE STARTING. *SLC
May 1, 2002Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc THE CAR EXHIBITS A CONDITION WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH AS WELL AS HAVING A PULSATING PEDAL WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AT THE FIRST OCCURANCE, 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR, I HAD THE ROTORS TURNED AND INSTALLED NEW FRONT BRAKE PADS (THE ROTORS WERE NOT WORN, JUST SEVERELY WARPED). MONTHS LATER THE SAME OCCURANCE. AT THIS JUNCTURE, I REPLACED THE ROTORS WITH NEW PARTS, AND WENT TO PREMIUM CERAMIC PADS. NOW BARELY ONE MONTH LATER, THE AFOREMENTIONED EFFECTS HAVE REOCCURED AND THE NEW ROTORS ARE AGAIN WARPED. REALLY LOVE THE CAR, BUT WANT THIS FIXED AS IT FEELS VERY SCAREY TO DRIVE.*JB
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.