- The problem
- Vehicle description: passenger and multi-purpose vehicles originally sold or currently registered in the states of connecticut, illinois, indiana, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, or wisconsin, and the district of columbia. The front disc brake rotors can experience severe corrosion if operated for an extensive period in the "salt belt." If the rotors are not replaced, the corrosion can eventually compromise the structural integrity of the stamped steel center hub section of the rotor.
- The risk
- The reduced strength can allow the cast iron wear surface to separate from the hub, reducing the brake effectiveness of the vehicle.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace these rotors with rotors that are coated with a corrosion protection.
Vehicle safety record
1988 Eagle Premier Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 62 complaints about the 1988 Eagle Premier with NHTSA, most often about the visibility & wipers (16) and the brakes (13). Those complaints describe 3 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury. It is covered by 7 recalls, the latest in January 1998 for the rotor. For comparison, the 1989 has 69.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Premier year, for its age
#15 most complained-about 1988 vehicle
- Complaints
- 62
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 3
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 1
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1988 Eagle Premier problems
Share of all 62 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1988 Eagle Premier recalls 7
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The automatic shoulder belt systems can malfunction and become inoperative.
- The risk
- The lack of passive restraints could increase the risk of personal injury in the event of a vehicle collision.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the system track and drive assembly on automatic shoulder belt systems which are currently inoperative and those systems when they become inoperative in the future.
- The problem
- The end cap connecting the heat exchanger's core to the engine cooling system could rupture and allow hot coolant to escape into the passenger compartment.
- The risk
- The coolant escaping into the passenger compartment could contact the driver's feet and injure the driver. Also, steam from the heater liquid will cloud on the window surfaces and impair the driver's vision. In either case, failure of the heater core end cap could result in a vehicle accident.
- The fix
- A coolant temperature controlled heater core fluid bypass valve will be installed.
- The problem
- Routing of the front brake hose may cause excessive hose flexing resulting in premature fatigue cracking of the outer hose cover.
- The risk
- This could lead to hose failure and loss of brake fluidreducing braking effectiveness.
- The fix
- Replace front brake hoses with hoses redesigned to provide a modified routing configuration.
- The problem
- Automatic transmissions experienced endurance failures of park mechanism components during severe testing.
- The risk
- Vehicles would be subject to transmission failures.
- The fix
- RETROFIT TRANSMISSION.
- The problem
- Cooling system pressures during overheated engine operation may exceed the strength capability of certain components due to inadequate venting capacity of the system pressure cap.
- The risk
- The buildup of pressure may cause heater core to ruptureand discharge hot coolant and steam in the proximity of the drivers legs.
- The fix
- Replace all coolant system pressure caps with one having adequate venting capacity.
- The problem
- Master cylinder may have been misassembled causing a blocked hydraulic fluid outlet port and restricted fluid flow.
- The risk
- This could result in increased brake pedal travel andpartial loss of braking capability.
- The fix
- REPLACE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER.
What owners say
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62 complaints about the 1988 Eagle Premier
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.
Throttle would be wide open and stuck. Vehicle accelerated on its own after sticking. Has happened at least 3 different times before. Last time caused transmission to burn up.*Ak
Consumer requested reimbursement for recall repair 99v-340 concerning faulty brake rotors which failed prior to recall notice, consumer has not recieved reimbursement yet. Nlm
Child bleeding on her left upper arm due to a shiny point sticking throuth the cushion part on her car seat, pulled the cushion off and the spring that controlled the front of the car seat, that pulls over the childs head and snaps in place, had somehow straigntened out to somewhat and poked through cushion. This is the second evenflo seat that the pull over arm broke.
The recall work on heater core by pass was not done partly. They bled the system, and vehicle overheated. Recall 94v006000. *Ak
Hot coolant is leaking into the passenger's compartment, causing the windows to fog up. A recall has been issued on the vehicle. The recall was discontinued because the parts are no longer available( per the dealership). Manufacturer will be notified. Recall 94v006000. *Ak
Front end shakes at any speed due to broken inner tie rod. *Ak
Driver's side/front passenger's side, and rear passengers' side windows have a potential problem, when they are rolled down they get stuck. To get these windows back up, consumer has to roll a little bit and pull, then roll and pull until consumer gets them all the way back up. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak
Dealer could not find the problem,car will not start. Cannot find out what is wrong, the local dealer has been no help at all. And local repair shops suggests to take it to the dealer.
Rear brakes would make popping noise. Had low brake pressure. The tire would stick. The rotors make loud booming noise when letting loose. The brake pedal goes to floor. Recall on front brake rotors (#98v005000). *Ak
Heater core is leaking anti-freeze inside the vehicle, causing windows to fog/ steam up. Vehicle not included in recall number 9v00600. *Ak
When putting vehicle in any gear driver doesn't have to apply the brakes, cause unknown.. *Ak
FRONT TIRES IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT.
Drivers side lap belt female connector does not stay fastened. Dealer advises part discontinued and not available. Thus, I am forced to violate the law and endanger all drivers of vehicle due to mfr. Decision and lack of foresight. The mfr specifically states that lap belt should be worn in addition to passive restraint (motorized shouldder belt); yet they discontinue part that permits me to wear lap belt. The passive restraint system has twice been recalled and mfr. Has repaired it. The more important belt, in mfr opinion & mine goes unrepaired. Help! (Note: mechanic jerry at hiway garage - cross plains, wi believes mfr decision unconscionable as do i). L. Smith
Turn signal malfunctions. Mechanic and owner cannot locate connectors in the owner's manual or on the vehicle.
Abs brakes failed and consumer having trouble getting replacement part.
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
Heater core failed, causing the interior of the vehicle to fill with steam, decreasing visibility.
ROTORS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE.
FRONT RIGHTS BRAKE ROTOR SEPARATED FROM THE HUB.
Brake failure; also replaced fusible link/alternator. *Ak
CV JOINTS FAILED.
Motorized seatbelts failed frior to recall notification.
RECALL ON COOLANT HOSE NOT REPAIRED PROPERLY.
BRAKES FAILED.
SPEEDOMETER INOPERATIVE. *SD
Eagle Premier: every year compared
All Premier years1988 Eagle Premier vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Eagle Premier | 62 | 7 | D | |
| 1988 Eagle Medallion | 4 | 2 | - | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1988 Eagle Premier
Does the 1988 Eagle Premier have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 1988 Eagle Premier: rotor (January 1998); anchorage (November 1995); heater core (January 1994); hoses, lines / piping, and fittings (December 1990) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1988 Eagle Premier?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the visibility & wipers (16), brakes (13), transmission & drivetrain (8).
How many complaints has the 1988 Eagle Premier had?
62 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on June 22, 1994 and the latest on May 24, 2001. Of these, 3 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 1 injury and 0 deaths.
Is the 1988 Eagle Premier a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 28 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Eagle Premier year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Eagle Premier years have the most complaints?
1989 (69), 1988 (62), 1991 (50). See every Eagle Premier year compared.
What should I do if my 1988 Eagle Premier has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data