1993 Dodge Stealth

Routine

Owners filed 39 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the power train › automatic transmission. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)4
100
Power Train › Automatic Transmission4
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission3
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Seat Belts › Front › Retractor2
000
Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft2
000
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs1
000
Wheels › Hub1
000
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly1
001
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls1
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 Sep 5, 2023FL

The contact owns a 1993 Dodge Stealth. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 02V143000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Jul 18, 2007CA

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. *AK

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Apr 25, 200600

SEAT BELT, ONCE PULLED OUT, DOESNT PROPERLY PULL BACK IN. TOO MUCH SLACK, IF AN ACCIDENT HAPPENED SOME SERIOUS INJURIES COULD OCCUR. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 3000GT / STEALTH. *NM

Tires › Sidewall
Filed Mar 9, 200699,300 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ALL FOUR TIRES LOOKED AS IF THEY HAD A SPLIT DOWN THE SIDEWALL. THE FAILURES WERE NOTICED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS 35 IN THE FRONT TIRES AND 28 IN THE REAR. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE TIRES WERE DRY ROTTING. THE CONTACT REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed May 9, 2005WI

VEHICLE HAS HAD FOR SOME TIME, THE PROBLEM STATED IN RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 96V143003, WHICH STATES: 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. CONSEQUENCE: BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE WILL CAUSE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP AND REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER HAS REFUSED TO CORRECT PROBLEM.

Suspension › Front
Filed May 4, 200581,100 milesPA

BOUGHT FROM A SMALL CAR LOT, HAD CAR FOR LESS THAN 30 DAYS AND TIRE BLEW OUT DUE TO BAD ALIGNMENT. WAS TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THE CAR NEEDED ABOUT $1610.00 WORTH OF REPAIRS. IT NEEDED A TUNE UP. HAD RADIATOR LEAK/SPARK PLUG WIRE SHORTED OUT /FUEL INJECTION CLEANING/ COOLANT SERVICE/ANTIFREEZE/NEW THERMOSTAT, AND GASKET FOR THERMOSTAT. DODGE TOLD HER THE SAME THING, AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD THE WRONG MISFIRE CODES. STARTED WHEN CAR STALLED AND OVERHEATED ,AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.*AK

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Mar 21, 2005129,637 milesGA

FILLED TANK FULL OF FUEL NIGHT BEFORE.. GOT UP THE NEXT MORNING PULLED CAR IN TO GARAGE.. CLEANED CAR OUT AND WENT TO PULL CAR BACK OUT AND WILL NOT START... REPLACED EVERYTHING COULD THINK OF.. STILL WILL NOT START. *AK

Power Train › Clutch Assembly › Bell Housing
Filed Mar 1, 200547,000 milesIN

WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH PRESSURE PLATE BROKE THROUGH THE BELL HOUSING AND THROUGH THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM WAS STILL UNDETERMINED.*AK

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)Crash
Filed Feb 13, 2004TX

18 SPLINE TRANSFER CASE SEIZED AND OUTPUT SHAFT SNAPPED CAUSING CAR TO GO INTO A SKID AROUND A CORNER AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH OFF AN EMBANKMENT ROLLING 2.5 TIMES. THE CAR WAS TOTALLED.*AK

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Sep 24, 2003AE

FAILURE OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR FAILURE TO TRANSFER CASE ON 1993 DODGE STEALTH. *MR A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE VEHICLE CAUSED THE TRANSFER CASE FLUID TO LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PAID TO HAVE THE TRANSFER CASE REPLACED. AFTER THE TRANSFER CASE WAS REPLACED THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL RELATED TO THE TRANSFER CASE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FROM THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS DENIED. *NLM

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Oct 8, 2002NH

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT WARNING THE TRANSFER CASE HAD CRACKED CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *MR

Unknown or Other
Filed Oct 2, 2002CA

TOOK VECHICLE TO TIRE SHOP TO HAVE TIRES ROTATED AND THREE WHEEL STUDS BROKE OFF LEFT FRONT. THEN LATTER WENT TO SEARS AND HAD NEW TIRES PUT ON FRONT AND ONE STUD THAT WAS PROPERLY TORQUED THAT DAY BROKE ON RIGHT DURRING TORQUING PROCEEDURE WITH HARDLY ANY PRESSURE ON WRENCH !!!!!!!!! TS

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 26, 2002WA

TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE. HARD TO IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT INTO 1ST OR REVERSE. TRANSMISSION REPLACED 2 TIMES, ONCE UNDER WARRANTY, AND AGAIN ON MY OWN COSTING WELL OVER $5,000.00. 2 YEARS AFTER LAST REPAIR, PROBLEM PERSISTS. GETRAG TRANSMISSION IS DEFECTIVE!*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Mar 8, 2002NH

DRIVING ALONG AT 35 MILES AND HR WHEN THE WHEELS LOCK UP AND THE CAR FISH TAILED TO A REST ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.THE DEALER THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO CHECK IT. SAID THAT THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP AND DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 7, 2002MN

MY CAR HAS SUFFERED MULTIPLE TRANSMISSION FAILURES. ONE IN 07/1994 WITH ONLY 1,774 MILES, 3RD GEAR ISSUES AT 65,461 MILES 10/1996, A FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AGAIN AT 68,057 MILES IN 01/1997, MORE 3RD GEAR ISSUES IN 02/1997 WITH 68,069 MILES, TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AGAIN IN 01/1998 WITH 77,560 MILES BECAUSE OF INABILITY TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR. WE HAVE RECORDS OF ALL OF THESE THOUGH THEY CAME BEFORE WE OWNED THE VEHICLE. I DO NOT HAVE CONDFIDENCE THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK

Power Train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Filed Jan 29, 2002OH

SPLINES ON SHAFT NOT HEAVY ENOUNGH/ POOR DESIGN NO SHIELDING, SEALS OR LUBRICATION TO PREVENT CORROSION OF THE ALREADY WEAK SPLINES, I KNOW OF MANY CASES OF THIS SAME PROBLEM AND OTHERS OCCURING ON THIS TRANSAXLE/TRANSFER CASE SETUP. HAVE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVETRAIN IN CARS WITH 60K OR LESS MILES AND WITH STICKER PRICE OF < $33K (IN THE EARLY 90S) IS UNEXCEPTABLE. IT SEEMS THAT 60K IS WHEN A LOT OF THE PROBLEMS BEGIN TO OCCUR. WHAT MAKE MATTERS WORSE IS THE FACT THE UNITS CAN NOT BE REPAIRED BY THE DEALERS, THEY MUST SWAPED FOR RECONDITIONED UNITS AT <$3500 FOR UNIT AND LABOR. THE RECONDITIONED UNIT ARE REBUILD WITH IMPROVED PARTS, BUT THERE IS STILL NOT WAY TO KEEP THE SPLINES FROM RUSTING BESIDES TAKING THE DRIVELINE APART TO APPLY GREASE TO THE SPLINES EVER SO MANY MILES. THIS IS A NOT A EASY TASK FOR MOST OWNERS AND IS NOT LIST IN REQUIRED MAINTANCE IN ANY OF THE MANUELS. SO IT IS SELDOM DONE. MIT/DODGE/GETRIG WHERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND IMPROVED THE TRANSAXLE/TRANSFER CASE IN THE 2ND GENERATION CARS (1994 ON). THAT ONE REASON MANY OF US (INCLUDING MYSELF) HAVE SWITCH OUR 1ST GEN. CARS TO 2ND GEN. DRIVETRAINS. ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE THE OWNERS OF THESE CARS WITH THESE PROBLEMS WILL BE GREATLY APPERCIATED. WE OWNERS HAVE BEEN TRY TO GET MITS/DODGE/GETRIG TO OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM FOR 10 YRS NOW.*AK

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Aug 8, 2001CA

AIR CONDITIONER STOPPED WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID CONSUMER NEEDED TO BUY A COMPRESSOR. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFOMATION.*AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 3, 2001KY

THE GETRAG TRANSMISSION/TRANFER CASE IS NOTED TO HAVE ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. I HAVE HAD VARIOUS LEAKS, AND THE OUTPUT SHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TRANSFER IS ALMOST SHOT. LUCKILY, THE SYNCRONIZERS HAVE BEEN OK SO FAR. THEY ARE ANOTHER KNOWN PART THAT FAILS TOO MUCH. MITSUBISHI DOES NOT OFFFER REBUILD KITS, OR INDIVIDUAL PARTS. IF THE ASSEMBLY NEED FIXED THE ONLY OPTION IS TO BUY A COMPLETE NEW ASSEMBLY, WHICH IS AROUND $5000.00. PLEASE HELP ALL STEALTH/3000GT OWNER AND GET A RECALL ON THESE PROBLEMATIC TRANSMISSIONS.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Feb 27, 2001MI

TRANSMISSION FAILURES LIKE THIS ARE COMMON IN DODGE STEALTHS AND 3000GT AWD MODELS (ESSENTIALLY THE SAME CAR) WHEN THE TRANSFER CASE WAS OPENED, IT HAD BEEN RUSTING INSIDE. THIS IS BOTH COSTLY AND DANGEROUS TO THE CONSUMER.

TiresCrash
Filed Jan 10, 2001MT

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT SEVENTY MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A POPPING NOISE AND A VERY SLIGHT VIBRATION. TOOK VEHICLE TO AN AUTOMOBILE SHOP AND PUT VEHICLE ON A LIFT. MECHANIC NOTICED THAT FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE WAS LOOSE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THESE TIRES WERE AFTER MARKET TIRES. TIRES WERE MADE BY PANTHER CUSTOM WHEEL 16 INCHES. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTFIED. *AK

20 of 39 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1992
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
19971010Routine
19961100Routine
199513100Routine
199428202Fatalities reported
1993 — this page39210Routine
199292213Fatalities reported
199163400Routine

Compare every Stealth year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

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.