IllustrationTHE PITMAN ARM TAPPERED STUD CONNECTING TO THE CENTER LINK SHEARED CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. *MJS
1982 American Motors Eagle
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Eagle years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
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 2 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.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
Steering complaints
1 reportsOfficial recalls
382V126000 · Power Train:manual Transmission:lubricant
Dec 13, 1982
ORIGINAL PRODUCTION TRANSMISSION LUBRICANT USED IN THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE LUBRICATION TO PROTECT THE TRANSMISSION"S FIRST GEAR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL PRODUCTION LUBRICANT WITH AN EXTREME PRESSURE LUBRICANT AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER.
82V053000 · Visibility:windshield
May 24, 1982
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED. THE ADHESION BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD GLASS AND URETHANE SEALING IS INCOMPLETE. THIS FAILS TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 212, "WINDSHIELD MOUNTING".
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE PRESENT WINDSHIELD IF DAMAGED OR REINSTALL EXISTING WINDSHIELD IF NOT.
81V110000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood
Sep 22, 1981
THE UNDERHOOD WIRING HARNESS AND VENTILATING HOSE MAY HAVE BEEN MISROUTED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. MISROUTING MAY CAUSE CHAFING BETWEEN THE HARNESS AND VARIOUS OTHER COMPONENTS, RESULTING IN SHORT CIRCUITS AND MALFUNCTION OF ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES. THE SWITCH WHICH ACTIVATES THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT MAY NOT FUNCTION. THE CRANKCASE VENTILATION HOSE MAY BE TOO CLOSE TO THE AIR INJECTION MANIFOLD TUBE AND COULD BE DAMAGED IF ENGINE OVERHEATS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: UPON INSPECTION, DEALER WILL REPAIR ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS, REROUTE THE HOSE, AND REPLACE THE OIL PRESSURE SWITCH WITHOUT CHARGE.
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
2EA88009 · 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===