AI Damage1994 Eagle Summit: common problems
Owners of the 1994 Eagle Summit filed 15 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 15
- involving a crash
- 3
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 27% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 13% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 7% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 6 Latches, locks, linkages 7% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 7% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 7% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (33% of all).
- Air bags: 4 complaints (27% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (7% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (7% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 15 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Owner was involved in a direct frontal impact and there was no deployment of driver's side airbag.owner notes that someone from chrysler will be looking at vehicle.
Air bags did not deploy in an accident. Please describe.
Frontal collision at low speed, impact 12:00 position, air bag deployed, resulting in an injury, speed 5mph. Tt
Head gasket failed three times on 1994 eagle summit. Repaired by dealer on 12/26/96; second time by independent shop on 1/16/99; now in for third time to another independent shop on 10/30/01. Cost to repair approx. $800 each time.
I replaced my transmission soon after teh car was paid for and was surprised after taking excellent care of the car. Almost a year had past and the used transmission that I replaced the first on with has turned out bad as well.
Upon acceleration transmission will slip out of gear, causing loss of power, speed, and possibly control of vehicle. Consumer had to have transmission rebuilt twice.
While traveling noticed gas fumes inside of vehicle. Also, vehicle was losing fuel. Dealer stated fuel line was cracked. Please provide further information.
Engine head gasket replacements - 3/13/96, 11/3/97, 2/15/99, 11/15/99, transmission replacements - 9/13/99, 10/19/99, transmission control module - 10/19/99. Now I'm being told by darscars that the engine is bad and will cost $2700 to repair. In the last 3 years I have paid over $5000 for the same repairs.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,288 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Summit has 24 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 15, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1994 Eagle Summit?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, air bags, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 15. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (7%), brake failure (7%), door locks, latches, handles (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1994 Eagle Summit?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1994 Eagle Summit from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1994 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.