Most common 1997 Eagle Talon problems
Share of the 24 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Eagle Talon complaints by model year
Best Talon years: 1998, 1997. Years to avoid: 1995, 1996. Compare all years →
1997 Eagle Talon recalls (3)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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.
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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Lockup of the transfer case can occur due to insufficient lubrication.
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.
Seats › Front assembly › Head restraint
The headrest guide bracket was improperly welded to the seat back frame on the passenger side seat back assemblies only.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger seat back assembly with a new assembly.
What 1997 Eagle Talon owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
There is a safety recall for the transfer case. I have all the symptoms transfer case failure. There is oil leaking and the transfer case locks up, making it impossible to drive the car, the wheels will not budge. I have talked to two dealerships. Neither will honor the recall because it has been performed before. I have talked to Chrysler and they will not allow the recall to be performed. The person I spoke to said it could not be done because it is not a faulty part.even though what is wrong with the car is exactly what is stated in the recall. This is a safety recall. If the transfer case would have locked up when I was going at a high rate of speed, it could become a very serious medical emergency and even cause a totaled car. I am not sure what was replaced when the recall was performed before, but the symptoms of the car make it seem like it was not done correctly before.
When driving at 25-30 MPH and when attemtping to shift gears clutch would not release into gear due to hydraulic cylinder malfunctioning. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer noted part was on nationwide back odor. Please provide any further details.
Engine & cooling
1997 Eagle Talon tsi FWD (identical to Mitsubishi eclipse gs-t of the same year) has a problem with failing crankshaft bearings, causing the crank to be able to move around. It is physically movable by hand left and right and up and down instead of being stationary. Car is not safe to drive, as this "walking crank" could crack the short block at any time rendering the car immobile. Mitsubishi/Chrysler refuses to recognize this as a defect and will not fix it under any circumstances. This is a defect in about half of their 95-99 eclipse/talons with the 2.0l dock turbo engine, and they refuse to even acknowledge it exists. These cars are not safe to drive and Mitsubishi has and refuses to do anything about it.
The failure was the crankshaft that had considerable fron end play. This condition is also known as "crank walk" and is relatively common amongst eclipses and talons.
Suspension
Recall 00V421002 repairs were performed on September 24, 2001. On October 31, 2001 while traveling approximately 35 MPH, there was a "rubbing" and "humming" noise coming from front of vehicle. A mechanic examined vehicle and determined that front/right ball joint had failed, and front/ left ball joint was loose. Upon contacting dealer , consumer was told that the ball joints had never been sealed when they serviced vehicle for recall. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Consumer contatced dealer for recall repairs concerning NHTSA recall 00V421002/ manufacturer's recal 967 for lower ball joints. Dealer was unable to complete work because parts were unavailable until further notice. Please provide further details.
1997 Eagle Talon engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 30 / 23 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 28 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 23 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Eagle Talon a good car?
Based on 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 1997 Talon rates better than average: 40% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Talon at the same age. It is one of the best Talon years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Eagle Talon?
The transmission & drivetrain — 9 complaints, 38% of all complaints for this model year, most often about transfer case (4-wheel drive). Next are the engine & cooling (7) and suspension (5).
How many recalls does the 1997 Eagle Talon have?
There are 3 recalls for the 1997 Eagle Talon, the most recent from December 18, 2000 (lower ball joint). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Eagle Talon?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1998 and 1997. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 1995 and 1996. See the full Eagle Talon years comparison.
At what mileage do 1997 Eagle Talon problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 111,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.