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1998 Eagle Talon problems

The most common problem on the 1998 Eagle Talon is brakes. It has fewer complaints than a typical Talon model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Owner complaints
17
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
53
Worst area
Brakes
Fuel economy
19-24mpg

The worst 1998 Eagle Talon problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Steering
    2
  • Body
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Brakes
    4
  • Acceleration
    3
  • Engine
    3
  • Steering
    2
  • Body
    1
  • Electrical
    1
  • Seat belts
    1
  • Seats
    1
  • Suspension
    1
  • Tires
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 3

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball jointReported December 18, 2000 · 393,796 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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 joints that are within the established tolerance will be cleaned and a special sealant will be applied to prevent intrusion of moisture.

Recall number 00V421002 · Recall details

Power train: automatic transmissionReported April 7, 1998 · 42,214 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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, the appropriate amount of oil will be added. If there is transfer case oil leakage, affected components will be replaced. If the transfer case shows operational degradation, the transfer case will be replaced.

Recall number 98V069002 · Recall details

Vehicle speed controlReported March 3, 1998 · 27,527 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The dash panel pad can shift interferring with the throttle cable control.
Risk
The throttle cable control would not return to idle increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Dealers will remove a portion of the dash panel pad so it cannot interfere with the throttle cable control.

Recall number 98V045002 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 1998 Eagle Talon

Technical service bulletins for the 1998 Eagle Talon 53

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 53 bulletins for the 1998 Eagle Talon

1998 Eagle Talon fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD18-2025-3020-24
2.0L 4‑cyl4WD17-1923-2619-21

What 1998 Eagle Talon owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Dec 19, 2005 · Engine · 194,000 miles · OH

Dt: the contact stated the harmonic balancer in the engine fell apart while driving. There were no warnings prior to the smoke he saw coming from underneath the hood. He drove the vehicle home where he has done the necessary repairs.

Filed Sep 15, 2005 · Brakes · 72,000 miles · PA

On aug.24 2005 purchased an eagle talon(1998)the day we bought it the car wouldn't start. The sales rep messed with some wires and it started. We got it home the following day it wouldn't start. Our mechanic had to replace some of the wiring. The next thing that went was the clutch cables. The same day the cables were replaced the brakes started acting up. We took it to the mechanic and they found that the entire brake system had to be replaced. Someone had put power steering fluid in the master cylinder,which ruined the system. The mechanics are willing to make the statement that this damage was done before we bought it. The car was supposed to be inspected the day before we bought it,that can't be true because the damage would have been noticed. The rotors were so thin that they cracked,they were cracked when we bought it.

Filed Jan 31, 2005 · Transmission · 00

While driving at 100 MPH the back wheels locked up. Consumer's vehicle spun out of control, almost hitting another vehicle. Also, the vehicle leaked oil. Consumer stated the problem stemmed from recall campaign 98v069002 concerning transfer case.

Filed May 10, 2004 · Brakes · 83,536 miles · CA

When the brakes were applied the driver was able to hear metal against metal. The mechanic stated the brake drums had failed. Please provide any further information.

Filed Nov 12, 2003 · Acceleration · TX

Foia request for certified copies of information/documents rec'd or fwd to chrylser or consumers re: 1998 eagle talon defective cruise control system cable fix, stuck throttle issues.*mr (nar)

Filed Aug 7, 2003 · Body · VA

Vehicle door handle broke off. *mr the passenger door handle had broken off when a family member tried to get in the vehicle. Several days later the driver side door handle had broken off as well. The consumer requested reimbursement for the defective part(s).

Filed Jul 9, 2002 · Engine · OH

Head gasket was leaking oil, contacted dealer, and the dealer was not willing to do anything. *ak consumer is concerned of a fire starting.

Filed May 23, 2002 · Brakes · NV

The car exhibits a condition when the steering wheel shakes back and forth as well as having a pulsating pedal when the brakes were applied. At the first occurance, 3 months after purchasing the car, I had the rotors turned and installed new front brake pads (the rotors were not worn, just severely warped). Months later the same occurance. At this juncture, I replaced the rotors with new parts, and went to premium ceramic pads. Now barely one month later, the aforementioned effects have reoccured and the new rotors are again warped. Really love the car, but want this fixed as it feels very scarey to drive.

Filed Apr 17, 2002 · Engine · CT

Timing belt tensioner bolt snapped. Resultant timing belt failure bent the intake valves. This required the head to be rebuilt. Timing belt had been replaced at 61,000 miles in november of 2001 as part of scheduled 60,000 mile maintenance. This automobile is a sister vehicle of the mitsubishi eclipse and this problem has been previously reported there (odi id 745661 - another possible report is made on odi id 884276). Based on conversation with mechanic I believe this problem has occurred significantly more often than has been reported to the federal safety agency. Also heard, but cannot confirm, that this part has been reengineered as there is a superceding part number for the tensioner. Contacted chrysler customer assistance for reimbursement of repair and was told that the vehicle was no longer under warranty and there were no outstanding recalls for this problem. Nlm

Filed Mar 26, 2002 · Tires · OH

Initial tire blowout in feb, 2001 (passenger front tire and rim replaced) second tire went flat and could not be repaired - replaced oct,2001(passenger front) third flat and could not be repaired march, 2002 (driver rear) goodyear salesman stated no defects in tires. Nlm (tiresize: r215/50r17)

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Questions about the 1998 Eagle Talon

Is the 1998 Eagle Talon reliable?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 1998 Eagle Talon, fewer than a typical Talon model year.

What is the most common problem with the 1998 Eagle Talon?

Brakes, with 4 complaints. Next is acceleration (3).

How many recalls does the 1998 Eagle Talon have?

3 recalls, covering suspension, power train and vehicle speed control.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Eagle Talon get?

Official estimates for the 1998 Eagle Talon range from 19 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-20 city and 25-30 highway.

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