Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 114 complaints with NHTSA about the 1991 Eagle Talon, and it carries 2 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 | 53 | 46% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 19 | 17% |
| Seat belts | 14 | 12% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 3% |
| Structure | 2 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | 2% |
| Wheels | 2 | 2% |
| Air bags | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TOOK MY 1991 EAGLE TALON TSI TO KLABEN CHRYSLER TO BE SERVICED BY THEM PER THE RECALL ON THE CAR. THEY CALLED AND SAID EVERYTHING CHECKED OK. BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS BURNED UP. THAT WEEK A FELLOW TECHNICIAN AND I PULLE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA RECALL 98V069002 CONCERNING TRANSFER CASE FAILURE.. LOCK UP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
DEFECT STATED IN THE TRANSFER CASE RECALL 98 V 069 002 OCCURRED AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. AS A RESULT, THE BUSHING IN THE EXTENSION HOUSING WORE OUT AND DEVELOPED A LEAK. DEALERSHIP WAS REFUSING TO REPA
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CONTACTED DEALER REGARDING RECALL 98V069002 REMEDY DUE TO TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP. DEALER INFORMED CUSTOMER THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE TO REPLACE TRANSFER CASE BECAUSE IT WAS NOT MANDATED UNDER RECALL CORRECTIVE ACTION.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TIMING BELT TEETH BROKE AT THE CRANK. THIS ALLOWED PISTONS TO KEEP RUNNING, BUT THE CAM STOPPED. AS A RESULT OF THIS VEHICLE FAILED. REPAIRS WERE DONE IN APRIL 2002, WITH FAILURE REOCCURING IN AUG 2002. MILEAGE
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
SNOW BUILDS UP AROUND HEADLIGHTS AND WILL NOT MELT,HEADLIGHT ILLUMINATION DIMINISHES IN BAD WEATHER CAUSING POOR VISBILITY. *MJ
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
DRIVER'S SEATBELT TIGHTENS TO WHERE CONSUMER FEELS STRANGLED.*AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
I AM THE 2ND ONWER OF THE CAR. CAN I STILL GET A FREE REPLACEMENT OF THE PART? NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1991 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.
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
| Reliability raw | 88 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| 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 114 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 53 of them (46%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 88/100 (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 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1991 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 74/100. 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.