The 1990 Eagle Talon carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering windshield and automatic transmission. Owners report 4 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transfer case and yoke leaks with drivetrain lockup.” Eagle was Chrysler's badge for other companies' cars, so maintenance follows whoever built yours. The Talon is a Mitsubishi Eclipse twin, and its 4G63 engine lives or dies by timing-belt discipline: belt, tensioner, and the small balance-shaft belt every 60,000 miles, because a snapped balance belt takes the timing belt with it. The Summit is a Mitsubishi Mirage with the same belt-era rules. The Vision is a Chrysler LH sedan, chain-driven with the 3.3 V6 and belt-driven with the 3.5. Premier and Medallion are Renault-derived and poorly documented; treat them as annual-service classics and lean on a specialist. Every figure here is decades old, so age now governs as much as mileage.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Campaign #90V106001 · Jan 6, 1990
Issue: DILUTED PRIMER MAY HAVE BEEN USED ON THE WINDSHIELD OPENING FLANGES PRIOR TO WINDSHIELD GLASS INSTALLATION WHICH WOULD NOT PROVIDE THE RETENTION REQUIRED BY FMVSS 212.
Risk: WINDSHIELDS WOULD NOT PREVENT EJECTION OF VEHICLEOCCUPANTS DURING A VEHICLE CRASH, WHICH CAUSES SERIOUS INJURIES AND FATALITIES.
Fix: REPLACE WINDSHIELDS, ASSOCIATED PARTS, AND PRIMER.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
Campaign #98V069002 · Jul 4, 1998
Issue: 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, 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Campaign #95V103003 · May 24, 1995
Issue: THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Campaign #90V056001 · Mar 21, 1990
Issue: OPERATION OF SUNROOF IN "NON-STANDARD" MANNER MAY CAUSE MALE HINGE DISENGAGEMENT FROM THE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER.
Risk: THE SUNROOF GLASS COULD DETACH FROM THE ROOF AND RESULTIN INJURY TO OCCUPANTS OR PERSONS IN THE VICINITY, ESPECIALLY IF THIS OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
Fix: REPLACE MALE HINGE WITH A MODIFIED VERSION TO INCREASE ROOF HINGE RECEIVER RETENTION ABILITY.
What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 1990 Eagle Talon.
POWER TRAIN
33 NHTSA complaints · 1997-07 → 2007-03
“TRANSFER CASE LEAKING. AFTER IT RUNS DRY, IT CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LOCK UP AND THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL”
“WHILE DRIVING THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND VEHICLE SKIDDED TO A STOP. THE TRANSFER CASE HAD SIEZED”
“LEAK IN THE TRANSFER CASE CAUSED THE WHEELS TO LOCK-UP AT 50MPH, THUS CAUSING THE CLUTCH TO EXPLODE, TOTALLY DESTROYING THE BELL HOUSING AND TRANSMISSION”
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
13 NHTSA complaints · 1995-01 → 1999-12
“TIMING BELT FAILED/REPLACED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE”
“VEHICLES TIMING CAM BELT BROKE WHILE DRIVING AT 10MPH CAUSED CAR TO SEIZE”
“WATER PUMP WHICH IS LOCTED ABOVE THE TIMING BELT, WAS LEAKING WATER ON TOP OF BELT, CAUSING THE MOTOR TO LOCK UP”
POWER TRAIN
4 NHTSA complaints · 1995-08 → 2000-12
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IT DROPS DOWN TO 1ST GEAR-WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF YOU ARE ON A HIGHWAY”
“WHILE STOPPING AT AN INTERSECTION PRESSED CLUTCH TO FLOOR AND PEDAL STAYED TO THE FLOOR, THEN, CONSUMER TURNED OFF ENGINE, AND CAR WAS ABLE TO SHIFT AGAIN, BUT NO HIGHER THAN 3RD GEAR”
SEAT BELTS
3 NHTSA complaints · 1996-03 → 1997-06
“THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE WAS REPLACED AND NOW THE SEATBELT DOESNT LATCH AT ALL”
“THE RECALLED SEAT BELTS THAT ARE REPLACING THE CURRENT SEAT BELT BUCKLES DO NOT WORK”
Note: NHTSA also opened 3 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.
Issues on other model years
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 1, 2026.
We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.
Critical for safety and preventing major damage
Chrysler's era schedule: 7,500 miles normal, 3,000 severe. Turbo Talons should live on the severe schedule; turbos of this era cook oil. Any surviving Eagle deserves at least an annual change regardless of miles.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$120–$160
Shop
~$85–$115
DIY
~$25–$55
Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.
Talon 4G63 (turbo and not): every 60,000 miles including tensioner, idlers, and the balance-shaft belt, the item whose failure causes most 4G63 belt disasters. Summit engines: same 60,000-mile discipline. Vision 3.5 V6: 60,000 miles on pre-1997 cars, inspect at 60 and replace by 90 on later ones, water pump with it. Vision 3.3: chain, no service. These are mostly interference engines; on a 25+ year old car, replace on age if history is unknown.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$935–$1175
Shop
~$655–$825
DIY
Pro only
On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.
Annual inspection of belts, hoses, cooling system, and suspension. Rubber and coolant age out on cars this old regardless of mileage.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Most shops do this free with any paid service. A flashlight and 10 minutes covers the basics yourself.
Every 2 years is sound practice for this era; no published factory interval survives.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$180–$200
Shop
~$125–$140
DIY
~$10–$25
DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.
With each oil service. AWD Talons: keep tire diameters matched to protect the driveline.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$85
Shop
~$60
DIY
Free
Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.
Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently
Conventional plugs of the era ran about 30,000 miles. No verified Eagle-specific figure survives; check the manual if you have one.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$390
Shop
~$200–$275
DIY
~$25–$100
Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.
Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort
Green coolant of the era: every 2 years or 30,000 miles. Old coolant eats water pumps and radiators quietly.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$285–$330
Shop
~$200–$235
DIY
~$25–$60
Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.
Roughly every 30,000 miles, inspected at services.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$60–$95
Shop
~$45–$70
DIY
~$15–$40
5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.
Era automatics like fresh fluid; every 30,000 miles is the safe habit, and the Vision's 42LE needs the correct ATF+ spec. Manual gearboxes: change on condition.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$330–$500
Shop
~$235–$355
DIY
~$60–$180
Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.
Inspect at every service, replace on age. On cars this old, original rubber anywhere is overdue.
Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges
Dealer
~$195–$235
Shop
~$135–$165
DIY
~$20–$50
DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.
Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.
How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.
This maintenance schedule for the 1990 Eagle Talon reflects Eagle's published service intervals. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.