Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 48 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Eagle Talon, and it carries 5 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 12 | 25% |
| Power train | 9 | 19% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 6% |
| Structure | 3 | 6% |
| Air bags | 3 | 6% |
| Visibility | 2 | 4% |
| Equipment | 2 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 2% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL*THE 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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
THE TRANSFER CASE WENT OUT OF MY TALON TSI AWD TURBO IN 06/05. 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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
I WENT THROUGH EMISSIONS AND FAILED BECAUSE THERE WAS AN OBD ERROR SAYING THAT MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, HOWEVER IT WAS NOT. I CALLED TO THE STATE EMISSIONS BOARD AND THEY SAID IT WAS A RECALL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALE
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
BALL JOINT OF FRONT RIGHT WHEEL SEPARATED AFTER HITTING BUMP ON HIGHWAY CAUSING LIMITED CONTROL OF VEHICLE. *LA
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE 1996 EAGLE TALON TSI HAD THE SAME DEFECTS AS THE 1995 EAGLE TALON TSI. *PH THE VEHICLE HAD MULTIPLE FAILURE TO INCLUDE THE A/C UNIT, TRANS AXLE, TRANSMISSION, UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS, ENGINE AT 75000 MILES. *N
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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 EA
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
POWER STEERING AND ALTERNATOR BELTS FELL OFF. DURING RE-INSTALLATION AND INSPECTION OF THE CRANKSHAFT, IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT WAS LOOSE. *NLM
NHTSA complaint: Steering
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1996 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.
CERTAIN AIRTEX FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLIES, P/N E7081H, SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE WALL OF THE FLARED FITTING OF THE FUEL PUMP IS NOT THICK ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE MATING THREADED FITTINGS FROM BOTTOMING OUT BEFORE AN ADEQUATE SEAL IS ACHIEVED. THIS COND
Risk: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: AIRTEX WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT AIRTEX AUTOMOTIVE AT 800-880-3056.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. IF THE RUBBER BOOTS ON THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION WERE DAMAGED DURING ASSEMBLY, DIRT AND WATER CAN INTRUDE. ALSO, MMC HAS ADDED THE POTENTIAL OF LEAKING MOISTURE, WHICH CAN CAUSE THE BALL STUD TO CORRODE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT TO SEPARATE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH. THIS CAMPAIGN SUPERCEDES MMC'S PREVIOUS SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN, SEE 99V-066.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE LOWER LATERAL ARM BALL JOINT FOR WEAR. BALL JOINTS THAT EXHIBIT WEAR BEYOND THE ESTABLISHED TOLERANCE WILL BE REPLACED WITH NEWLY DESIGNED LATERAL ARM BALL JOINTS. BALL JOIN
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 FUEL TANK GASKETS FOR THE FUEL PUMP AND/OR GAUGE UNIT GASKET COULD HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY INSTALLED ALLOWING FUEL OR FUMES TO ESCAPE.
Risk: IF AN IGNITION SOURCE WERE PRESENT, THE FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL TANK AND IF THE GASKETS ARE FOUND TO BE LEAKING, REPLACE THE FUEL TANK, CAPS AND GASKETS.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | 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 48 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 12 of them (25%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (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 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1996 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 73/100. 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.