VehicleVerdict

1980 American Motors Eagle problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 0 complaints on file for the 1980 American Motors Eagle — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

0

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1980 compare to other Eagle years?

Eagle NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 0 complaints
Eagle NHTSA complaints by model year, 1980 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eagle years to avoid →

Does the 1980 American Motors Eagle have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

09E021000Fuel SystemApril 30, 2009 · 2,790 units

Defect

FEDERAL-MOGUL CORPORATION IS RECALLING 2,790 MECHANICAL FUEL PUMPS, P/NO. M6737 SOLD UNDER CARTER AND NAPA BRANDS AND P/NO. 2M6737 SOLD UNDER ACCU-FLOW AND TRU-FLOW BRANDS SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2008 AND MARCH 2009 FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE FUEL PUMP DIAPHRAGM ROD IN CERTAIN PRODUCTION RUNS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED. IMPROPERLY MANUFACTURED PUMP DIAPHRAGM RODS MAY CAUSE THE PUMP TO PRODUCE EXCESS PRESSURE.

Consequence

EXCESS FUEL PUMP PRESSURE COULD CAUSE A VEHICLE FIRE.

Remedy

FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 12, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 1-877-489-6659.

79V240000TransmissionOctober 30, 1979 · 666 units

Defect

SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE INCORRECT UNIVERSAL JOINT FASTENERS. THESE FASTENERS MAY LOOSEN AND ALLOW THE PROPELLER SHAFT TO DISCONNECT FROM THE AXLE OR TRANSFER CASE.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE UNIVERSAL JOINT FASTENERS AT NO COST TO OWNER.

79V199000TransmissionSeptember 10, 1979 · 3,310 units

Defect

A HALF SHAFT ASSEMBLY ON THE RIGHT OR LEFT SIDE OF THE FRONT WHEEL DRIVE MECHANISM MAY DEVELOP A FRACTURE NEAR ITS INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINT.

Remedy

DEALER WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE RIGHT AND LEFT HALF SHAFT ASSEMBLIES AT NO COST TO OWNER.

79V194000LightingAugust 28, 1979 · 6,000 units

Defect

AN IMPROPER BULB SOCKET MAY EXIST IN THE TAIL LAMP ASSEMBLY. THIS MAY CAUSE AN UNACCEPTABLE DECREASE IN BRIGHTNESS LEVELS IN LAMPS USED FOR REAR SIGNALING.

Remedy

REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF LIGHT EMITTED FROM REAR TAILLIGHTS CAUSES A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD LEAD TO A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALER WILL REPLACE REAR LAMP SOCKETS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

1980 American Motors Eagle — common questions

Is the 1980 American Motors Eagle reliable?

The record is thin — 0 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1980 American Motors Eagle have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1980 American Motors Eagle. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1980 American Motors Eagle under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.