Model year record

1996 Eagle Vision recalls & problems

The 1996 Eagle Vision has 2 safety recalls and 46 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is steering (17 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints46filed by owners

Crashes · fires5 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainJan 13, 2004

Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift

Recall 04V0210002,315,768 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Fuel system, gasolineAug 6, 1998

Fuel injection system

Recall 98V184000722,600 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES CHANGING THE UPPER AND LOWER INJECTOR O-RINGS. HOWEVER, IF A VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE O-RINGS OR FROM A CRACKED FUEL LINE, THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO A DEALER TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

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

1996 Eagle Vision 4-DR.

OverallNot 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

Vision

20mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Vision

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Vision

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/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*
SteeringLinkages › Tie rod assembly; Rack and pinion	17	0	0	0	112,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	5	2	0	0	—
Fuel system, gasolineFuel injection system; Fuel injection system › Fuel rail	5	0	1	0	—
Air bagsFrontal	4	2	0	1	—
SuspensionFront; Front › Macpherson strut	4	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingCooling system; Exhaust system › Emission control	3	0	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift; Automatic transmission	3	0	0	0	—
VisibilityWindshield wiper/washer; Windshield wiper/washer › Motor	3	0	0	0	—
Electrical systemWiring; 12v/24v/48v battery	2	0	1	0	—
SeatsFront assembly › Recliner	1	1	0	1	—
Unknown	1	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal	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

Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 EAGLE VISION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO RETRIEVE A FAULT CODE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. *BF CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS 8 RECURRENCES.*JB
Jan 1, 2000 · 30,000 miles
Suspension
HELLO. I HAD A SCARY INCIDENT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 2014, AND HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT AND IF IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY IN PG COUNTY MD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND MY CAR SUDDENLY SWERVED SHARPLY TO THE LEFT AND CROSSED THE CENTER LINE INTO THE PATH OF AN ONCOMING DUMP TRUCK. OBVIOUSLY I WAS ABLE TO REACT QUICKLY ENOUGH AND FORCE MY CAR BACK INTO THE CORRECT LANE AND THEN OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. IT TOOK EVERY BIT OF STRENGTH I HAD. THE TRUCK WAS JUST ABOUT 30 FEET AWAY AND IF THE BREAK HAD BEEN A SECOND OR SO LATER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN NO TIME TO REACT. MY MECHANIC SAID IT WAS A BROKEN STRUT ASSEMBLY AND THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN ONE BREAK LIKE…
Jan 17, 2014 · 125,000 miles
Steering
I BOUGHT A USED 1996 EAGLE VISION TSI IN 2006. SHORTLY, I REALIZED THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS GOING. I SAID "WHAT DO YOU MEAN "GOING"?" HE SAID EAGLES WERE NOTORIOUS FOR THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THE RACK AND PINION AND MINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE I HAD AN ACCIDENT. MY MECHANIC BOUGHT AND INSTALLED A NEW RACK THAT LASTED FOR 1 AND 1/2 YEARS. THIS TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND DID NOT TELL HIM OF THE RACK PROBLEM BEFORE. HIS DIAGNOSIS: BROKEN RACK AND PINION STEERING ASSEMBLY. BY NOW THIS IS GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE I WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THIS OBVIOUSLY FAULTY ENGINEERING. *TR
Jun 28, 2006 · 96,000 miles
Steering
1996 EAGLE VISION STEERING ALL OVER THE ROAD BAD RACK AND PINION DANGEROUS AND SEEMS TO BE IGNORED BY EVERYONE FOR YEARS SAFETY IS OF THE UTMOST AND IF YOU GUYS DO NOT DO A BETTER JOB THEN YOU SHOULD NOT BE AROUND.HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO DIE BEFORE SOMEONE CLAIMS THERE IS A MALFUNCTION IN DESIGN THERE ARE 1000'S OF COMPLAINTS OVER THE YEARS AND NOW THERE IS DUPLICATED REPAIRS BECAUSE OF POOR DESIGN DO SOMETHING OR GET OUT OF THE CONSUMER BUSINESS. *TR
Jun 12, 2009 · 85,000 miles
Steering
1996 EAGLE VISION TSI HAS A SEVERE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE INNER TIE RODS TO THE RACK ARE SHOT AND CLOSE TO FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR HAS HAD SAFETY RELATED STEERING PROBLEMS. *TR
Oct 30, 2008 · 112,000 miles
Steering › Rack and pinion
COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I WAS ENTERING A PARKING GARAGE WHEN POWER-ASSISTED RACK AND PINION FAILED, COMPLETELY DISENGAGING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. DUE TO SLOW SPEED, NO CRASH OCCURRED. *JB
Feb 14, 2007 · 130,000 miles
Steering › Linkages
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE STEERING INNER BUSHING WAS BURNED OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS BEFORE THE WOBBLING. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THIS PROBLEM WAS MOST COMMON IN VEHICLES WITH LH PLATFORM.
Aug 3, 2006 · 150,000 miles
Power train › Automatic transmission › Lever and linkage › Floor shift
ABOUT A YEAR AGO CONSUMER TRIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE VEHICLE FOR NHTSA RECALL 04V021000 REPAIRS CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFTER. THEY EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THEY HAD NO PARTS, AND THEY WOULD CONTACT HIM WHEN THE PARTS ARRIVED. SINCE THEN, CONSUMER DID NOT RECEIVE A CALL, LETTING HIM KNOW THAT THE PARTS WERE IN. ALSO, RECEIVED A SECOND RECALL LETTER HAVING TO DO WITH THE SAME COMPONENT.*AK *BF
Mar 1, 2004

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

FUEL RAIL, BRAKE FLUID, CHASSISClosed
ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2004, MR. ROBERT GALENTY OF ISELIN, NJ, PETITIONED THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 1993-1997 VEHICLES PRODUCED BY DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.HIS PETITION IDENTIFIED THREE ISSUES OF CONCERN: 1) FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL INJECTOR RAILS; 2) BRAKE FLUID CONTAMINATION RESULTING IN BRAKE FAILURE; AND 3) SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE VEHICLE FRAME TO DAMAGE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING TOWED.MR. GALANTY ALLEGED THAT HIS 1996 DODGE INTREPID HAD EACH OF THESE THREE PROBLEMS.CONCERNING FUEL RAIL LEAKAGE, DAIMLERCHRYSLER COMMENCED A RECALL (98V-184) OF APPROXIMATELY 722,600 VEHICLES TO ADDRESS ENGINE FUEL RAIL LEAKS THAT COULD LEAD TO A FIRE, INCLUDING THOSE VEHICLES CITED IN THE PETITION AND THE PETITIONER'S 1996 DODGE INTREPID.ON OCTOBER 7, 1998, NHTSA OPENED A RECALL QUERY INVESTIGATION (RQ98-018) TO EVALUATE THE ADEQUACY OF THE RECALL REMEDY.THAT…
DP04007 · opened Oct 13, 2004 · closed Oct 27, 2004
AUTO TRANS IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCKClosedLed to recall 04V021000
THE MANUFACTURER REPORTS ABOVE ARE BASED ON DAIMLERCHRYSLER?S (DC) ANALYSIS OF MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998 (POPULATION = 356,384) AND 1999 (POPULATION = 486,948) JA, JX AND LH FAMILY SUBJECT VEHICLE DATA (EARLIER MYS EXCLUDED).THE POPULATION NUMBER INCLUDES ALL MYS.THE PRECISE NUMBER OF DUPLICATES BETWEEN ODI AND DC REPORTS CANNOT BE DETERMINED DUE TO MISSING OR INCOMPLETE INFORMATION.THE FATALITY INCIDENT INVOLVED AN ELDERLY PERSON WHO ATTEMPTED TO STOP A ROLL AWAY VEHICLE AND RECEIVED FATAL INJURIES.ODI ALSO GATHERED INFORMATION ON MY 1997-99 PROWLER VEHICLES IN THIS INVESTIGATION. THE PROWLER VEHICLES WERE MANUFACTURED WITH A DIFFERENT DESIGN SHIFTER MECHANISM (THE SHIFT LEVER IS SHORTER).THERE ARE NO COMPLAINTS OF PROWLER INTERLOCK FAILURE IN ODI?S DATABASE, AND DC HAS RECEIVED NO REPORTS EITHER.THE PROWLER IS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL SCOPE.THE INVESTIGATION INVOLVED A CONDITION WHERE THE…
EA03011 · opened Jul 17, 2003 · closed Jan 30, 2004
STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINIONClosed
There is no summary currently available
EA99031 · opened Oct 29, 1999 · closed Sep 13, 2001
STEERING SYSTEM RACK AND PINIONClosed
SINCE OPENING THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE), ODI HAS RECEIVED 6 ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS.DURING THE PE IT WAS DETERMINED MULTIPLE FAILURE MODES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS MATTER.THE WARRANTY CLAIM RATE IS HIGH FOR A STEERING SYSTEM CONCERN.THE ISSUES REPORTED INVOLVE PREMATURE WEAR OUT AT THE RACK AND PINION INTERFACE WITH THE INNER TIE ROD END(S), BINDING AND STICKING OF THE STEERING GEAR, CRACKED OR BROKEN TIE ROD ENDS, SHEARED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY BOLTS, AND WEAR OUT OF THE RACK AND PINION MOUNT BUSHINGS.MANY OF THE COMPLAINANTS MENTION STEERING WONDER AND LOOSE STEERING.THREE OF THE MOST RECENT COMPLAINTS ALLEGE A COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING DUE TO SHEARED BOLTS.ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PE IN ORDER TO PERFORM A THOROUGH TECHNICAL ANALYSIS OF THE VARIOUS SYSTEM FAILURE ALLEGATIONS AND TO QUANTIFY THE EFFECT THAT THESE FAILURES HAVE ON VEHICLE CONTROL.
PE99044 · opened Jun 28, 1999 · closed Oct 29, 1999
FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM FUEL LEAKClosedLed to recall 98V184000
RQ98018 · opened Oct 7, 1998 · closed Jul 8, 2002