AI Damage1997 Eagle Talon: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Eagle Talon filed 24 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 24
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 38% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 29% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 21% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 8 Equipment 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (38% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (29% of all).
- Suspension: 5 complaints (21% of all).
- Air bags: 2 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (8% 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 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 4-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 24 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 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 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.
Dt: the contact owns a 1997 eagle talon. On june 14, 2005 contact's vehicle was involved in a hit and run accident while going 20-25 mph. Upon impact, front air bags deployed, but contact sustained airbag burns. He sustained injuries, strain in neck, burns on arm, and on rights hand two finger became numb.
There is oil leaking and the transfer case locks up, making it impossible to drive the car, the wheels will not budge. I have talked to two dealerships. Neither will honor the recall because it has been performed before. I have talked to chrysler and they will not allow the recall to be performed.
A recall for the transfer case was issued. The consumer vehicle identification number was included, however the dealer refused to repair the vehicle. Please provide additional information.
1997 eagle talon tsi fwd (identical to mitsubishi eclipse gs-t of the same year) has a problem with failing crankshaft bearings, causing the crank to be able to move around. It is physically movable by hand left and right and up and down instead of being stationary.
While driving 55 mph a loud banging noise was heard coming from the rear. The driver drove the vehicle to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic replaced the rear lower ball joints due to worn parts. Please provide any additional information.
While driving, consumer lost control of vehicle, consumer believes her losing control of vehicle was a result of a recall on the lower lateral arm ball joints, 99v066.
Brakes locked up, resulting in a frontal accident, air bag did not deploy
Recall 00v421002 repairs were performed on september 24, 2001. On october 31, 2001 while traveling approximately 35 mph, there was a "rubbing" and "humming" noise coming from front of vehicle. A mechanic examined vehicle and determined that front/right ball joint had failed, and front/ left ball joint was loose.
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 7,585 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 21% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Talon has 59 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 24, below average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- 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 1997 Eagle Talon?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine and cooling, suspension. Total complaints: 24. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: airbags did not deploy (4%), won't start (4%), oil leak or consumption (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 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 1997 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 1997 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.