AI Damage1996 Eagle Talon: common problems
Owners of the 1996 Eagle Talon filed 44 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and powertrain. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 44
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 27% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 11% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 7% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 8 Electrical system 5% of all complaints
- Suspension: 12 complaints (27% of all).
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (11% of all).
- Air bags: 3 complaints (7% of all).
- Equipment: 3 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.
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 44 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 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.
Tl contact owns a 1996 eagle talon. While driving 60 mph the contact heard a noise and the tires locked u without warning. The vehicle was towed ,and a local mechanic diagnosed the failure as a leak in the transfer case. The dealer/manufacturer diagnosed the vehicle as needing a new transfer case.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving various speeds, a gasoline odor fumigated the vehicle on a consistent basis. The contact encountered many complaints on this matter # 509463 regarding fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly. The vehicle had not been examined by a mechanic or dealer.
I was driving down the road 75 mph & bang!-jerk!bang!jerk!bang!jerk! The steering wheel also felt funny, like it got loose and wasn't hooked to the tires anymore.
The vehicle had multiple failure to include the a/c unit, trans axle, transmission, upper and lower ball joints, engine at 75000 miles.
We took a car that we recently purchased from a private party to our mechanic for an oil change and found that the head gasket is leaking and it will cost $1000.00 for repair. Also found out this is a problem that the eagle talon had and that there was never a recall on it.
Power steering and alternator belts fell off. During re-installation and inspection of the crankshaft, it was noticed that the crankshaft was loose.
Consumer states that vehicle shakes and shimmy's at high speed and lows speeds there is a clunk noise. Please provide any further information. Mr
Gears were hard to shift, and there was transmission oil leaking from underneath, also, transfer case failed. Received manufacturer's recall 780.
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 5,689 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 16% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Talon has 59 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 44, below average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1996 Eagle Talon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, powertrain, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 44. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: steering or power steering problems (9%), knocking, grinding or other noise (7%), A/C or heater (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1996 Eagle Talon?
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 1996 Eagle Talon 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 1996 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 2026-11-05.