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1981 American Motors Eagle

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

No component reports in this snapshot.

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 0 of 0 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports

What owners actually said

0 reports

No matching complaints in this snapshot.

Official recalls

3

81V081000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Jul 6, 1981

THE CRUISE COMMAND ACTUATION CHAIN MAY CATCH ON THE THROTTLE LINKAGE, CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO REMAIN IN A PARTIALLY OPEN POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE THE CRUISE COMMAND ACTUATION CHAIN ASSEMBLY, AND A SHIELD WILL BE MOUNTED ON THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

81V007000 · Power Train:axle Hubs

Jan 9, 1981

THE FRONT AXLE HUB SPACER MAY HAVE BEEN OMITTED FROM THE FRONT HUB AND BEARING CARRIER ASSEMBLIES. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW EXCESSIVE FRONT WHEEL BEARING MOVEMENT RESULTING IN WHEEL BEARING DAMAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE FRONT SPACER AND WHEEL BEARING AT NO CHARGE TO OWNERS.

81V016000 · Seat Belts

Jan 4, 1981

THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT SAFETY BELT ASSEMBLY MAY HAVE BEEN INSTALLED ON THE INCORRECT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE SHOULDER BELT LOCKING MECHANISM MAY NOT FUNCTION UNDER RAPID DECELERATION. UNDER HARD BRAKING APPLICATIONS OR IN A COLLISION, THE SHOULDER PORTION OF THE SEAT BELT SYSTEM MAY FAIL TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE PASSENGER. THERE IS INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO PASSENGERS WHO MAY CONTACT OTHER OBJECTS UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Not supplied

Remedy: SEAT BELTS WILL BE INSPECTED FOR PROPER INSTALLATION AND, IF NECESSARY, SEAT BELTS WILL BE EITHER REPLACED OR RELOCATED IN CORRECT POSITION. WORK WILL BE COMPLETED WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNERS.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA88009 · Engine Compartment Fires

Opened Nov 16, 1987 · Closed Jan 9, 1990

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

ANALYSIS:MANY OF THE REPORTS INDICATE THAT THE PLASTIC VALVE COVER OR THE\TV GASKETING MATERIAL LOSES ITS STRUCTURAL AND/OR SEALING INTEGRITY DUE TOTHE HIGH ENGINE TEMPERATURES ASSOCIATED WITH THE AMC 258 ENGINE.TESTINGPERFORMED BY A LOCAL FLEET CLEARLY DEMONSTRATED THAT UNDER NORMAL DRIVINGCONDITIONS, MOTOR OIL LEAKS IN THE VICINITY OF THE #3 OR #4 CYLINDERS (OVERTHE EXHAUST MANIFOLD) CAN RESULT IN A FIRE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO DESTROY AVEHICLE.AMC HAS ISSUED NUMEROUS TSB'S REGARDING THE PROPER/IMPROPER METHOD OF SEAL-ING THE VALVE COVER-HEAD INTERFACE.1981-84 AMC 6-CYLINDER ENGINES AREEQUIPPED WITH A PLASTIC VALVE COVER WHICH HAS 5 GUIDE PINS AND 2 FASTENERS.THE COVER USED IN LATER MODELS WAS RE-DESIGNED TO HAVE 5 ATTACHING POINTS,AND THIS NEW VALVE COVER CAN BE USED ON OLDER ENGINES BY MEANS OF AMODIFICATION KIT.AS EXPECTED, COMPLAINTS OF ENGINE FIRES IN 1985 MODELSDROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY, INDICATING THAT THE ADDITION OF THE NEW VALVE COVERMAY HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM.STATUS: IR TO THE MANUFACTURER SENT 12/1/87.PROPOSED ACTION: OPEN AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS.===

EA86024 · Rear Axle Failure

Opened Aug 7, 1986 · Closed Nov 3, 1987

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension

SUMMARY OF INFORMATION FROM MANUFACTURER:AMC STATES THAT THE REAR AXLEASSEMBLIES FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE THE SAME FOR ALL 1980-1986MODELS WITH NO SIGNIFICANT MODIFICATIONS.AMC DOES NOT CONSIDER THEALLEGED DEFECT TO BE ANY PROBLEM.ANALYSIS: A REVIEW OF THE REPORTS INDICATES THAT MOST OF THE FAILURES APPEAR TO OCCUR IN CANADIAN PRODUCED EAGLE STATION WAGONS WITH 20,000 TO 50,000 MILES AND AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.STATUS:CLOSED 11/3/87===