Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA about the 1990 Eagle Talon, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 41 | 53% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 17 | 22% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4% |
| Seat belts | 3 | 4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
| Suspension | 2 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 1% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
IN 1998 LARRY H. MILLER CHRYSLER JEEP IN THE SOUTHTOWNE AUTOMALL IN SANDY UT PERFORMED THE RECALL REGARDING THE TRANSFER CASE. THEY SAID THEY WERE NOT REQUIRED TO CHANGE THE TRANSFER CASE JUST LOOK FOR LEAKS. THEY SAID
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I BOUGHT FALKEN ZIEX 502 TIRES OFF OF EBAY. THE BELT SNAPPED AND I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT VIBRATION SINCE. I WOULD ASSUME THAT A BROKEN STEEL BELT IN A TIRE IS NOT A GOOD THING, IF TIRE FAILURE WAS TO OCCUR; LOSS OF VEHI
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER IS NO LONGER HONORING TRANSFER CASE RECALL 98/V/069/002.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I HAD ALREADY DONE THE TRANSFER CASE RECALL 3 YEARS PRIOR. DEALERSHIP DID NOT REPLACE ANY PARTS, ONLY THE FLUID IN THE TRANSFER CASE. I WAS ON A BUSY FREEWAY GOING 65MPH IN THE SLOW LANE WHEN ALL OF MY TIRES LOCKED UP
NHTSA complaint: Power train
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH WHEELS LOCKED UP. TOWED VEHICLE TO GARAGE WHERE TRANSFER CASE HAD TO BE REPLACED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THERE ARE AIR POCKETS DEVELOPING IN INSIDE OF GLASS.*AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
BRACKET HAS PULLED LOSE FROM THE RIVETS AND CRACKED INTO TWO SEPERATE PIECES. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Structure
WHILE STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION PRESSED CLUTCH TO FLOOR AND PEDAL STAYED TO THE FLOOR, THEN, CONSUMER TURNED OFF ENGINE, AND CAR WAS ABLE TO SHIFT AGAIN, BUT NO HIGHER THAN 3RD GEAR. CONSUMER HAD TO TURN OFF ENGINE E
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 1990 Eagle Talon. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
DILUTED PRIMER MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGES PRIOR TO WINDSHIELD GLASS INSTALLATION WHICH WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.
Risk: WINDSHIELDS WOULD NOT PREVENT EJECTION OF VEHICLEOCCUPANTS DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, WHICH CAUSES SERIOUS INJURIES AND FATALITIES.
Fix: REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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, T
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES A
OPERATION OF SUNROOF IN "NON-STANDARD" MANNER MAY CAUSE MALE HINGE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER.
Risk: THE SUNROOF GLASS COULD DETACH FROM THE ROOF AND RESULTIN INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OR PERSONS IN THE VICINITY, ESPECIALLY IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Fix: REPLACE MALE HINGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO INCREASE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER RETENTION ABILITY.
| Reliability raw | 81 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 78 | good |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 45 | below average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 41 of them (53%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 81/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 78/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1990 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.