1992 Dodge Stealth

Fatalities reported

Owners filed 92 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › manual transmission. It has been recalled 2 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k

31 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 120,000150,000 miles; the median is 101,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Manual Transmission16
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor15
000
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)14
000
Seat Belts4
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
000
Power Train4
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline4
000
Air Bags4
000
Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift3
000
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module3
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)02V143002
Filed May 14, 20029,000 vehiclesDaimlerchrysler Corporation

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT BY MITSUBISHI MOTOR CORPORATION FOR DAIMLERCHRYSLER, A CONDITION EXISTS THAT ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE.

Risk. LOW OIL LEVELS IN THE TRANSFER CASE COULD CAUSE BEARING DAMAGE AND RESULT IN DRIVE TRAIN LOCKUP, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TRANSFER CASE FOR INDICATIONS OF OIL LEAKAGE. VEHICLES THAT HAVE NO OIL LEAKAGE WILL HAVE THE TRANSFER CASE OIL CHANGED. VEHICLES THAT HAVE OIL LEAKAGE WILL HAVE THE TRANSFER CASE RESEALED OR REPLACED IF NECESSARY. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 2, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings96V143003
Filed Oct 8, 199623,000 vehiclesChrysler Corporation

Defect. UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT OR RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE CAN CRACK, RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE.

Risk. BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSES WITH REVISED HOSE ASSEMBLIES.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed Jun 21, 2017112,000 milesGA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE STEALTH. THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN OIL LEAK ON THE GROUND, WHICH LED TO OIL LEAKING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE LOCAL DEALER (GEORGIA CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP LOCATED AT 12114 US-301, STATESBORO, GA, 30458) WHERE AN APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS OVER TEN YEARS OLD AND THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V143002 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. AS A RESULT, THE VIN WAS REMOVED FROM THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 112,000.

Power Train
Filed Mar 31, 2017121,780 milesMT

REOCCURRING ISSUE WITH T-CASE. T-CASE HAS SEIZED UP

Engine
Filed Jan 26, 2017121,780 milesMT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE STEALTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSFER CASE LEAKED OIL AND DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE DEALER WOULD BE CONTACTED AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE CALLED BACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO ONE CALLED HIM BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,780....UPDATED 03/15/17 *BF

Air Bags
Filed Jan 22, 2016MI

TAKATA INFLATORS,TRANSMISSION,MAX SPEED APROX TO DRIVE 5MPH, WILL NOT GO FASTER

Power Train
Filed Aug 15, 2015187,000 milesAR

CHRYSLER TOLD ME TO TAKE MY CAR TO STEVE LANDERS CHRYSLER IN LITTLE ROCK, AR AND AFTER MULTIPLE FRUSTRATING CALLS WITH THEM AND CHRYSLER THEY A MONTH LATER TOLD ME THEY WEREN'T FIXING MY CAR BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PARTS WHEN THEY TOLD ME WHERE TO FIND THE PARTS. IT'S A SAFETY RECALL THAT DOESN'T EXPIRE BUT THEY REFUSE TO FIX IT.

Power Train
Filed Jun 4, 2015127,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE STEALTH. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. UPON ACCELERATION; THE CONTACT STOPPED AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALER. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DRIVE POWER TRAIN FAILED AND THE REAR. DRIVE TRANSFER CASE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ITS WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 5, 201189,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE STEALTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAPACITOR WAS LEAKING ACID ONTO THE MAIN COMPUTER BOARD. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 24, 2008145,000 milesWV

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD 1 DAY AND MY CAR JUST STOPPED RUNNING. *TR

Seat Belts
Filed Jan 9, 2008MA

SEATBELTS WILL NOT RETRACT IN MY CAR. STAY LOOSE ALL THE TIME. HAVE TO PUSH THEM BACK IN TO RETRACT. *TR

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Jan 9, 2008128,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1992 DODGE STEALTH. THE TRANSFER CASE FAILED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55MPH. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO AVOID A CRASH. THE CONTACT MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED SINCE THE FAILURE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER IS :02V143002. THE TOTAL COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WAS $1,709.01. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,001. UPDATED 02/15/08. *LJ

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Nov 7, 200796,000 milesNJ

SEATBELT FAILURE. SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT AT ALL AND GIVES ENOUGH SLACK THAT COULD PROBABLY LET SOMEONE BE EJECTED THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Nov 5, 200790,000 milesMO

THE SEATBELTS DO NOT RETRACT ANYMORE. ALL HINGES HAVE BEEN CLEANED, BUT RETRACTABLE SPRING MECHANISM DOES NOT PULL SEATBELT BACK INTO CAR ANYMORE. IF PULLED, EVEN EXTREMELY HARD AND FAST, THE BELT DOES NOT LOCK, IT SIMPLY EXTENDS TO THE MAXIMUM LENGTH. THE SEATBELTS ARE COMPLETELY NON-FUNCTIONAL. *TR

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Sep 5, 2007UT

SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT; AS IF THE SPRING IN THE RETRATION/TENSIONING SYSTEM DOEN'T WORK. THIS ALLOWS FOR A LOOSE SEAT BELT, WHICH WOULD NOT PROPERLY PROTECT YOU IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS PROBLEM IS ON GOING.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Feb 20, 2007MI

SEAT BELT IN 92 DODGE STEALTH DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY, LEAVING POSSIBILITY FOR INJURY. *JB

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jan 25, 2007TN

NORMAL WEAR HAS CAUSED THE SEATBELT TO OFTEN NOT RETRACT ON ITS OWN RESULTING IN IMPROPER TENSION DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. IT MUST BE RETRACTED BY HAND AND OFTEN DOES NOT RETAIN SAID TENSION. THE SEATBELT SHOULD BE SNUG AT ALL TIMES DURING OPERATION, BUT ISN'T DO TO LACK OF RETRACTIVE "TENSION". THE BELT NOT BEING SNUG OR LOOSE COULD EASILY RESULT NOT ONLY IN LACK OF PROTECTION DURING A CRASH BUT INCREASED BODILY DAMAGE IN SUCH INSTANCES.

Seat Belts
Filed Dec 12, 2006TX

I HAVE A 1992 DODGE STEALTH TWIN TURBO. BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS ARE EXTREMELY LOOSE [IE. DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE RETRACT TENSION]. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IF ONE WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN A COLLISION! *JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Dec 12, 2006129,000 milesTX

I HAVE EXPERIENCED TWO INCIDENTS OF STRIPPED SPLINES ON THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT [THAT GOES TO THE TRANSFER CASE]. THE BEVEL CUT GEAR IN THE TRANSFER CASE HAS ALSO STRIPPED IN BOTH INSTANCES. THIS HAS RESULTED IN CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE HAVING THE TRANSMISSION TORN DOWN TO REPLACE THE SHAFT [NOT TO MENTION RENTAL CAR NEEDED DURING THE REPAIR]. ONCE THE SHAFT SPLINES STRIP OUT - THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE AND PRESENTS A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER TO THE DRIVER WHO IS OUT ON THE ROAD! *NM

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Dec 5, 2006CO

SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT WHEN PULLED ON. NO ACCIDENT YET, BUT WITHOUT THE RETRACTION, WHAT GOOD IS THE SHOULDER PART OF THE SEAT BELT? *NM

Seat Belts › Front
Filed Nov 28, 2006OH

MY SEAT BELTS WHEN YOU PULL ON THEM TO USE THEM AFTER THEY ARE PUT IN THE PLACE THAT LOCK THEM IN PLACE, THEY DON'T HOLD TO YOUR BODY AND IT CONCERNS ME GREATLY. AND SOME TIMES THEY SIT SO LOOSELY ON MY CHEST IT IS JUST IN THE WAY MORE THAN A RESTRAINT. *NM

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Oct 14, 2006105,000 milesNC

OUTPUT SHAFT IN TRANSMISSION HAS BROKE TWICE, ONCE WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, NO MORE THAN A FEW HUNDRED MILES LATER THE SHAFT SNAPPED AGAIN. THE SHOP THAT REPLACED EVERYTHING THE FIRST TIME STATED THAT THE SHAFT IS VERY WEAK UNDER PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN BABIED AND TAKEN WELL CARE OF, NEVER DRIVEN VERY HARD, BUT A FEW TIMES OF TAKING OFF AND THE SHAFT HAS BROKEN ON ME 2 TIMES. THIS TIME, THE CAR HAS BEEN SITTING FOR MONTHS BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO BUY ANOTHER $4000 DOLLAR TRANSMISSION, WHICH WOULD PROBABLY BREAK AGAIN. ITS NOT MUCH CHEAPER TO INSTALL A PERFORMANCE OUTPUT SHAFT, WHICH COSTS AROUND $600 FOR THE SHAFT ALONE. *NM

20 of 92 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1992
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
19971010Routine
19961100Routine
199513100Routine
199428202Fatalities reported
199339210Routine
1992 — this page92213Fatalities reported
199163400Routine

Compare every Stealth year →

Reading this record

3 deaths reported in complaints filed with NHTSA.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 14, 2002. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.