VehicleVerdict

1982 American Motors Eagle problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 2 complaints on file for the 1982 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.

2

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

2

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1982 compare to other Eagle years?

Eagle NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted2 complaints1980: 0 complaints1981: 0 complaints1982: 2 complaints1983: 1 complaints1984: 2 complaints1985: 2 complaints1987: 1 complaints1988: 0 complaints
Eagle NHTSA complaints by model year, 1982 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Eagle years to avoid →

What are the most common 1982 American Motors Eagle problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System150%
Steering150%

Does the 1982 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.

82V126000TransmissionDecember 13, 1982 · 9,715 units

Defect

ORIGINAL PRODUCTION TRANSMISSION LUBRICANT USED IN THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LUBRICATION TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION"S FIRST GEAR.

Remedy

THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION LUBRICANT WITH AN EXTREME PRESSURE LUBRICANT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.

82V053000Visibility & WipersMay 24, 1982 · 509 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. THE ADHESION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS AND URETHANE SEALING IS INCOMPLETE. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING".

Remedy

DEALER WILL REPLACE PRESENT WINDSHIELD IF DAMAGED OR REINSTALL EXISTING WINDSHIELD IF NOT.

81V110000Electrical SystemSeptember 22, 1981 · 15,500 units

Defect

THE UNDERHOOD WIRING HARNESS AND VENTILATING HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. MISROUTING MAY CAUSE CHAFING BETWEEN THE HARNESS AND VARIOUS OTHER COMPONENTS, RESULTING IN SHORT CIRCUITS AND MALFUNCTION OF ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES. THE SWITCH WHICH ACTIVATES THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT MAY NOT FUNCTION. THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSE MAY BE TOO CLOSE TO THE AIR INJECTION MANIFOLD TUBE AND COULD BE DAMAGED IF ENGINE OVERHEATS.

Remedy

UPON INSPECTION, DEALER WILL REPAIR ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS, REROUTE THE HOSE, AND REPLACE THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WITHOUT CHARGE.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“ROLLOVER CHECK VALVE HAS FAILED, CAUSING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE TO BUILD UP WITHIN THE FUEL SYSTEM, RESULTING IN A FUEL LEAK. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER. MANUFACTURE STATED THAT THEY NO LONGER MAKE THE PARTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System

1982 American Motors Eagle — common questions

Is the 1982 American Motors Eagle reliable?

The record is thin — 2 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 1982 American Motors Eagle have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1982 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 1982 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.