AI Damage1997 Eagle Vision: common problems
Owners of the 1997 Eagle Vision filed 21 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and steering. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 21
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 33% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 29% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 24% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 19% of all complaints
- 5 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 14% of all complaints
- 7 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 8 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (33% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Steering: 6 complaints (29% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 5 complaints (24% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel system: 4 complaints (19% of all).
- Suspension: 3 complaints (14% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 21 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 | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 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.
Vehicle has been constant problem and safety hazard can not be trusted to leave city area for it constanlty break downs. No safety defects mentiond in summary.
Also, engine overheated while at dealership and engine block destroyed, engine replaced at 8000 miles. Transmission problem persisted and was overhauled with one seal being replaced. Problem continued to 03/17/99. Was brought to shop after accident when vehicle was in reverse and transmission would not engage.
While driving 30 mph, the contact heard a loud clunking noise. After inspection, she noticed that the inner tie rod was fractured, preventing the vehicle from turning right or left. The dealer did not offer any assistance. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure.
Purchased the car 01/24/09 it was leaking fluids, cutting off after driving on the expressway,and revving on it's on while in park. Took it into the place I got it from with my own list of things as well as a list of cars.
1997 eagle vision with 64k miles started experiencing vibration on braking, during inspection the inner tie rod bushing on the driver's side of the car is worn and exhibits too much play. Internet search results reveal this to be a common problem on this family of vehicles.
Eagle vision - 1997 experienced a complete loss of steering casualty due to the shearing off of bolts from the rack and pinion steering mechanism.
Recently had an issue regarding smell of gasoline coming from the hood of car. Upon inspection and repair from my local service station, it was leakage of gas from my fuel injectors in my 1997 eagle vision.
Also, went through 2 fuel pumps, and 3 water pumps. Front end ball joints had to be replaced at 30,000 miles.
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 8,077 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Vision has 60 complaints (8 years in the data). This year has 21, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1997 Eagle Vision?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, steering, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 21. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: fuel system, fuel smell (14%), jerking, harsh shifts (10%), vibration (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1997 Eagle Vision?
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 Vision 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.