VehicleVerdict

1992 Eagle Summit problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 54 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median Summit year — the 1992 model ranks #2 of 8 Summit years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Seat Belts leads the complaint categories with 21 reports (39% of the total).

54

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

3

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1992 compare to other Summit years?

Summit NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted110 complaints1989: 14 complaints1990: 6 complaints1991: 14 complaints1992: 54 complaints1993: 110 complaints1994: 18 complaints1995: 38 complaints1996: 2 complaints
Summit NHTSA complaints by model year, 1992 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Summit years to avoid →

What are the most common 1992 Eagle Summit problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Seat Belts2139%
Body & Structure1426%
Transmission611%
Brakes47%
Engine36%
Fuel System24%
Tires & Wheels12%
Speed Control12%
Lighting12%
Latches & Locks12%

Does the 1992 Eagle Summit have recalls?

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

98V168003TransmissionOctober 5, 1998 · 6,198 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

97V063002Latches & LocksMay 12, 1997 · 46,000 units

Defect

EXCESS LUBRICATION CAN CAUSE THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER TO DEFORM, AND THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION, SO THAT THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD REMAIN AT THE A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH WITH A SWITCH THAT UTILIZES REDUCED LUBRICATING GREASE, IMPROVED CONTACT SURFACE, AND A DIFFERENT RUBBER ISOLATION BOOT.

97V073002Seat BeltsMay 12, 1997 · 24,000 units

Defect

THE GUIDE RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTAINS A COVERED CABLE AND ALSO AN ANGLED BELT GUIDE AT THE TOP END OF THE WEBBING. THE COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS CAN LEAD, OVER TIME, TO THE CABLE'S MOVEMENT EXERTING ABRADING FORCE TO THE LOWER EDGES OF THE CABLE'S CHAMBER, SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE CABLE TO DROP OUT OF THE CHAMBER WITH THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE BECOMING STUCK.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REPLACEMENT GUIDE RAIL THAT INCORPORATES A DOUBLE LIP DUST SEAL AND AN ANODIC OXIDE COATING.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MOTORIZED RESTRAINT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE IS INOPERATIVE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK NOW, DRIVER SIDE MOTORBELT IS DEFECTIVE, BOTH WERE REPLACED AND TWO MONTHS LATER, BOTH FAILED AGAIN, DEALER STATED A WHOLE NEW UNIT WAS NEEDED AT 800 DOLLARS. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts

“EXCESS LUBRICATION CAUSED THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER TO DEFORM/DOOR LATCH SWITCH TO MALFUCTION, SO THAT THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD REMAIN AT A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, PRIOR TO RECALL; RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED DUE TO WRONG VIN NUMBER (97V-063). *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · August 1, 1997

“WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL AT 25 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND HIT A TELEPHONE POLE WHILE DRIVING IN THIRD GEAR. THE PROBLEM MIGHT COME FROM THE TRANFER CASE WHICH MIGHT INCREASE THE CONSUMER'S CHANCES TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 20, 1998 · crash

“DURING NORMAL BRAKING EXPERIENCED ABS BRAKES MALFUNCTIONING, WHEN HEARING LOUD NOISE PEDAL BECOMES SPONGY, THEN VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL FORWARD, NO PRIOR WARNING.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes

1992 Eagle Summit — common questions

Is the 1992 Eagle Summit reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 54 complaints put the 1992 model at #2 of 8 Summit years. It is one of the Summit years to avoid.

What are the most common 1992 Summit problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (21 complaints), body & structure (14 complaints), transmission (6 complaints).

Does the 1992 Eagle Summit have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Eagle Summit. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 1992 Eagle Summit under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Eagle Summit years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Summit years to avoid are 1993, 1992, 1995. The cleanest record among Summit years belongs to 1996.

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.