VehicleVerdict

1998 Eagle Talon problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 24 complaints on file for the 1998 Eagle Talon — 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.

24

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 1998 compare to other Talon years?

Talon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted320 complaints1990: 89 complaints1991: 133 complaints1992: 61 complaints1993: 48 complaints1994: 21 complaints1995: 320 complaints1996: 56 complaints1997: 37 complaints1998: 24 complaints1999: 2 complaints
Talon NHTSA complaints by model year, 1998 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Talon years to avoid →

What are the most common 1998 Eagle Talon problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes625%
Speed Control417%
Engine417%
Steering28%
Seat Belts14%
Seats14%
Child Seat14%
Body & Structure14%
Suspension14%
Tires & Wheels14%
Transmission14%
Electrical System14%

Does the 1998 Eagle Talon have recalls?

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

07E055000Fuel SystemJuly 26, 2007 · 222 units

Defect

CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

Consequence

IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy

AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.

00V421002SuspensionDecember 18, 2000 · 393,796 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOINTS THAT ARE WITHIN THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE CLEANED AND A SPECIAL SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED TO PREVENT INTRUSION OF MOISTURE.

98V069002TransmissionApril 7, 1998 · 42,214 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 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.

98V045002Speed ControlMarch 3, 1998 · 27,527 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE DASH PANEL PAD CAN SHIFT INTERFERRING WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Consequence

THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REMOVE A PORTION OF THE DASH PANEL PAD SO IT CANNOT INTERFERE WITH THE THROTTLE CABLE CONTROL.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH DASH PANEL INSOLATION SLIDES DOWN INTO THROTTLE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. *AK THE FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE DEALER FAILED TO REMOVE PAPER AND PLASTIC COVERS ON DISCS CAUSING OVER HEATING AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 23, 1999 · crash

“DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE HARMONIC BALANCER IN THE ENGINE FELL APART WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE SMOKE HE SAW COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. HE DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME WHERE HE HAS DONE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS.*AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 15, 2005

“WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH DASH PANEL INSOLATION SLIDES DOWN INTO THROTTLE, CAUSING CONSUMER TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING. *AK THE FRONT BRAKES WORE OUT PREMATURELY. THE DEALER FAILED TO REMOVE PAPER AND PLASTIC COVERS ON DISCS CAUSING OVER HEATING AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control · January 23, 1999 · crash

“PULLEY BELT WITHIN THE STEERING MECHANISM HAS SHEARED OFF, CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES, PULLEY BELT HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT DEFECT STILL OCCURS. *AK”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 2, 1998

“MANUFACTURED 25FEB98, 20 MONTH OLD DAUGHTER CAN CLIMB OUT BECAUSE CLASP THAT HOLDS STRAPS TOGETHER IS EASILY PUSHED DOWN. CALLED EVENFLO ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO CLIMB OUT OF THE SEAT IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT SO ITS EASIER FOR THE EMT'S. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE EVEN…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Child Seat

1998 Eagle Talon — common questions

Is the 1998 Eagle Talon reliable?

The record is thin — 24 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 1998 Talon problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (6 complaints), engine (4 complaints), speed control (4 complaints).

Does the 1998 Eagle Talon have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 1998 Eagle Talon. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Eagle Talon years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Talon years to avoid are 1995, 1991, 1990. The cleanest record among Talon years belongs to 1999.

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.