1996 Eagle Talon problems & reliability
44 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1996 Eagle Talon, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension → | 12 | 27% |
| Power Train | 9 | 20% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 5 | 11% |
| Air Bags | 3 | 7% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 7% |
| Structure | 3 | 7% |
| Electrical System | 2 | 5% |
| Steering | 2 | 5% |
| Visibility | 2 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 16 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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 case. The dealer/manufacturer diagnosed the vehicle as needing a new transfer case. The dealer…”
Power Train · filed Apr 4, 2007
“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: tank assembly. The vehicle had not been examined by a mechanic or dealer.”
Fuel System, Gasoline · filed Dec 1, 2006
“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 anymore. I pulled over the and heard a loud clunk (metal on metal sort of sound) and put it into gear…”
Power Train · filed Mar 8, 2006
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
Engineering Analysis EA98002 · opened Jan 30, 1998 · closed Apr 30, 1998 · led to recall 98V069002
- TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
Preliminary Evaluation PE97040 · opened Sep 4, 1997 · closed Jan 30, 1998
Technical service bulletins
66 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1996 Eagle Talon. The 10 most recent:
Charging System, Battery Diagnostic Tools and Warranty This information only bulletin discusses using the correct test equipment for testing batteries and charging systems, and also warranty reimbursement when battery…
08-049-20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 22, 2020
Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
3100519 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
3100319 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
3100619 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
31-003-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
31-006-19 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 20, 2019
Valve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
R2118796A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 26, 2016
The engine control module (ecm) may not illuminate the check engine lamp during an inspection and maintenance test required by federal and california emission regulations. *tt
29 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2003
Flash programming failure recovery. *slc
1802002 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 24, 2002
Subject regarding generic scan tool (gst), publication no. 81-170-00008 provided with this technical service bulletin to provide reference information when using generic scan tool on obdii vehicles. *tt
1801201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 25, 2001
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1996 Eagle Talon has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1996 Eagle Talon?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.