Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA about the 1996 Eagle Vision, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 12 | 27% |
| Fuel system | 5 | 11% |
| Air bags | 4 | 9% |
| Service brakes | 4 | 9% |
| Power train | 3 | 7% |
| Visibility | 3 | 7% |
| Steering | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 2 | 4% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 1996 EAGLE VISION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHI
NHTSA complaint: Engine
HELLO. I HAD A SCARY INCIDENT ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 17 2014, AND HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT IT AND IF IT COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. I WAS DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY IN PG COUNTY MD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND MY CAR SUDDE
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I BOUGHT A USED 1996 EAGLE VISION TSI IN 2006. SHORTLY, I REALIZED THERE WAS A LOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE RACK AND PINION STEERING WAS GOING. I SAID "WHAT DO YOU MEAN "G
NHTSA complaint: Steering
1996 EAGLE VISION STEERING ALL OVER THE ROAD BAD RACK AND PINION DANGEROUS AND SEEMS TO BE IGNORED BY EVERYONE FOR YEARS SAFETY IS OF THE UTMOST AND IF YOU GUYS DO NOT DO A BETTER JOB THEN YOU SHOULD NOT BE AROUND.HOW MA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
1996 EAGLE VISION TSI HAS A SEVERE CLUNKING NOISE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. THE BOLTS HOLDING THE INNER TIE RODS TO THE RACK ARE SHOT AND CLOSE TO FAILURE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR HAS HAD SA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
COMPLETE LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I WAS ENTERING A PARKING GARAGE WHEN POWER-ASSISTED RACK AND PINION FAILED, COMPLETELY DISENGAGING THE STEERING WHEEL FROM THE FRONT WHEELS. DUE TO SLOW SPEED, NO CRASH OCCURRED. *JB
NHTSA complaint: Steering
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO WOBBLE. THE INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING NORMAL DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED T
NHTSA complaint: Steering
ABOUT A YEAR AGO CONSUMER TRIED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO SERVICE VEHICLE FOR NHTSA RECALL 04V021000 REPAIRS CONCERNING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFTER. THEY EXPLAINED TO HIM THAT THEY HAD
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1996 Eagle Vision. 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 BUILT WITH 3.5L ENGINES. THE FUEL INJECTION DELIVERY SYSTEM CAN LEAK FUEL FROM SOME OF THE SEALING O-RINGS OR FROM HAIR LINE CRACKS IN THE THERMOSET FUEL INJECTION RAIL.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL RAIL O-RINGS AND REINFORCE THE OUTLET (PASSENGER) SIDE FUEL RAIL. VEHICLES SHOWING FUEL LEAKAGE ON THE OUTLET FUEL RAIL MUST HAVE THE OUTLET RAIL REPLACED WHICH INCLUDES
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FLOOR SHIFTER IGNITION-PARK INTERLOCK MAY FAIL AND ALLOW THE SHIFTER TO BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION WITH THE KEY REMOVED. AN INOPERATIVE INTERLOCK MAY ALSO ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED WHEN THE SHIFTER HAS NOT BEEN PLACED IN THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: EITHER CIRCUMSTANCE MAY RESULT IN THE VEHICLE ROLLING AWAY WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW LOAD-LIMITING PUSH ROD INTO THE FLOOR SHIFTER LEVER OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 14, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853
| Reliability raw | 91 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 83 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 56 | average |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 45 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and steering is the most reported area with 12 of them (27%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 91/100 (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 83/100, 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.