1997 Eagle Talon

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Transmission & Drivetrain

Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 9 of 24 complaints (38%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed fell from 44 in 1996 to 24 in 1997.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 4 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category1995199619971998vs. 1997 Subcompact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,700–4,1002,700–4,1002,700–4,1002,600–4,100
Combined MPG19–2419–2419–2419–24
City / Highway MPG17–21 / 23–3017–21 / 23–2917–21 / 23–3017–20 / 23–30
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)370–468370–468370–468370–468
Complaints filed209442417Not compared
Recalls issued6544Not compared
Crash-involved complaints15011Not compared
Fire-involved complaints6000Not compared
Injuries reported6020Not compared
Deaths reported1000Not compared
Configurations compared86612

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 1997 Eagle Talon have?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Eagle Talon?

Transmission & Drivetrain: 9 of 24 NHTSA complaints (38%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1997 Eagle Talon get?

EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined across 6 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Eagle Talon?

EPA estimates $2,700–$4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (6)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars18 mpg24 mpg20 mpg$3,900444 g/mi
Configuration 2Automatic 4-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars18 mpg28 mpg22 mpg$2,850404 g/mi
Configuration 3Automatic 4-spd42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars17 mpg (low)23 mpg (low)19 mpg (low)$4,100 (high)468 g/mi (high)
Configuration 4Manual 5-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars19 mpg30 mpg (high)23 mpg$2,700 (low)386 g/mi
Configuration 5Manual 5-spd42.0LFront-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars21 mpg (high)29 mpg24 mpg (high)$3,250370 g/mi (low)
Configuration 6Manual 5-spd42.0L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars19 mpg26 mpg21 mpg$3,700423 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine70000
Transmission & Drivetrain90000
Fuel System00000
Electrical20000
Brakes20000
Steering00000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires50000
Airbags & Restraints21020
Driver Assistance & Speed Control00000
Body, Seats & Latches30000
Visibility & Lighting10000
Other10000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (4)

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 07E055000 · Jul 26, 2007

    Defect: 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 CONDITION MAY RESULT IN LEAKAGE OF FUEL AT THE CONNECTION OF THE VEHICLE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY.

    Consequence: IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FUEL LEAK COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

    Remedy: 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.

  • SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT · Campaign 00V421002 · Mar 12, 2001

    Defect: 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.

    Consequence: 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.

  • POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · Campaign 98V069002 · Jun 16, 1998

    Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.

    Consequence: 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.

  • SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT · Campaign 97V081002 · May 23, 1997

    Defect: THE HEADREST GUIDE BRACKET WAS IMPROPERLY WELDED TO THE SEAT BACK FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BACK ASSEMBLIES ONLY.

    Consequence: THE HEADREST SUPPORT BRACKET CAN BREAK, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

    Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE PASSENGER SEAT BACK ASSEMBLY WITH A NEW ASSEMBLY.