VehicleVerdict

1990 Eagle PREMIER problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 1990 Eagle PREMIER sits mid-pack among PREMIER years: 58 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 51, with 6 recalls and 4 closed investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (8), seat belts (6), and electrical system (6), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

58

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1990 compare to other PREMIER years?

PREMIER NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted115 complaints1981: 1 complaints1988: 114 complaints1989: 115 complaints1990: 58 complaints1991: 82 complaints1992: 44 complaints1993: 0 complaints1994: 1 complaints
PREMIER NHTSA complaints by model year, 1990 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all PREMIER years to avoid →

What are the most common 1990 Eagle PREMIER problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers814%
Seat Belts610%
Electrical System610%
Engine610%
Brakes59%
Transmission59%
Suspension47%
Other35%
Speed Control35%
Body & Structure35%
Fuel System23%
Seats23%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)23%
Steering12%
Lighting12%
Tires & Wheels12%

Does the 1990 Eagle PREMIER have recalls?

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

98V005000BrakesJanuary 12, 1998 · 293,369 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER AND MULTI-PURPOSE VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, OR WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THE FRONT DISC BRAKE ROTORS CAN EXPERIENCE SEVERE CORROSION IF OPERATED FOR AN EXTENSIVE PERIOD IN THE "SALT BELT." IF THE ROTORS ARE NOT REPLACED, THE CORROSION CAN EVENTUALLY COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE STAMPED STEEL CENTER HUB SECTION OF THE ROTOR.

Consequence

THE REDUCED STRENGTH CAN ALLOW THE CAST IRON WEAR SURFACE TO SEPARATE FROM THE HUB, REDUCING THE BRAKE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THESE ROTORS WITH ROTORS THAT ARE COATED WITH A CORROSION PROTECTION.

95V213000Seat BeltsNovember 7, 1995 · 90,000 units

Defect

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT SYSTEMS CAN MALFUNCTION AND BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence

THE LACK OF PASSIVE RESTRAINTS COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE COLLISION.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SYSTEM TRACK AND DRIVE ASSEMBLY ON AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT SYSTEMS WHICH ARE CURRENTLY INOPERATIVE AND THOSE SYSTEMS WHEN THEY BECOME INOPERATIVE IN THE FUTURE.

94V006000Visibility & WipersJanuary 11, 1994 · 125,000 units

Defect

THE END CAP CONNECTING THE HEAT EXCHANGER'S CORE TO THE ENGINE COOLING SYSTEM COULD RUPTURE AND ALLOW HOT COOLANT TO ESCAPE INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

Consequence

THE COOLANT ESCAPING INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COULD CONTACT THE DRIVER'S FEET AND INJURE THE DRIVER. ALSO, STEAM FROM THE HEATER LIQUID WILL CLOUD ON THE WINDOW SURFACES AND IMPAIR THE DRIVER'S VISION. IN EITHER CASE, FAILURE OF THE HEATER CORE END CAP COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy

A COOLANT TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED HEATER CORE FLUID BYPASS VALVE WILL BE INSTALLED.

91V027000BrakesFebruary 13, 1991 · 76,000 units

Defect

REAR BRAKE TUBE ROUTING IS CONTACTED BY FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD WHEN SUSPENSION IS IN FULL JOUNCE POSITION. THIS DAMAGES THE BRAKE FLUID TUBE, CAUSING A LEAK.

Consequence

LOSS OF FLUID FROM HALF OF THE DIAGONALLY SPLIT BRAKEHYDRAULIC SYSTEM AFFECTS BRAKING CAPABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

MODIFY HEAT SHIELD TO ELIMINATE POTENTIAL FOR SHIELD CONTACTING BRAKE TUBE.

90V205000BrakesDecember 17, 1990 · 97,500 units

Defect

ROUTING OF THE FRONT BRAKE HOSE MAY CAUSE EXCESSIVE HOSE FLEXING RESULTING IN PREMATURE FATIGUE CRACKING OF THE OUTER HOSE COVER.

Consequence

THIS COULD LEAD TO HOSE FAILURE AND LOSS OF BRAKE FLUIDREDUCING BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS.

Remedy

REPLACE FRONT BRAKE HOSES WITH HOSES REDESIGNED TO PROVIDE A MODIFIED ROUTING CONFIGURATION.

90V058000SteeringMarch 23, 1990 · 12,500 units

Defect

LOWER INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT MAY SEPARATE AT THE RUBBER ISOLATED COUPLING OF THE SHAFT.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.

Remedy

REPLACE INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT WITH A SHAFT CONTAINING A RESTRAINED COUPLING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“THERE WAS A RECALL LISTED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SAME PROBLEM THAT HAPPENED TO THIS VEHICLE, AND THE DEALER SAID THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. THE COOLANT ESCAPED FROM THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT , AND STEAM FROM THE HEATER LIQUID CLOUDED THE WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH MADE IT VERY HARD FOR…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 1, 1998

“RECALL WORK PERFORMED ON THE HEATER CORE FLUID BYPASS, HOWEVER SINCE REPLACEMENT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCED CHRONIC OVERHEATING WITH MAJOR REPAIRS DUE TO DAMAGE WITHIN THE COOLING SYSTEM.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 1, 1994

1990 Eagle PREMIER — common questions

Is the 1990 Eagle PREMIER reliable?

It is close to typical for the PREMIER: 58 NHTSA complaints, 6 recalls, and 4 investigations on file.

What are the most common 1990 PREMIER problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (8 complaints), seat belts (6 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints).

Does the 1990 Eagle PREMIER have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 1990 Eagle PREMIER. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1990 Eagle PREMIER under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Eagle PREMIER years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the PREMIER years to avoid are 1989, 1988, 1991. The cleanest record among PREMIER years belongs to 1993.

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.