FaultScore report
Owners have filed 72 complaints about the 1991 Dodge Stealth with NHTSA between 1995 and 2012. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
72
Complaints
0
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
113,775 mi
Median mileage at failure
Half of reported failures happened before this
6%
Failed under 36,000 miles
Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty
Click any bar to open that year's report.
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Median failure at 169,000 miles
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
A CONDITION EXISTS THAT ALLOWS OIL TO LEAK FROM THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE. LOW OIL LEVELS IN THE TRANSFER CASE CAN CAUSE BEARING DAMAGE AND FAILURE.
Risk: BEARING FAILURE IN THE TRANSFER CASE RESULTS INPOWER TRAIN LOCKUP WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS AT HIGHWAY SPEED.THIS COULD CAUSE IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.
Powertrain
Certain passenger vehicles built by Mitsubishi Motor Corporation. A condition exists that allows oil to leak from the all-wheel drive transfer case. Low oil levels in the transfer case could cause bearing damage and result in drive train lockup, increasing the risk of a crash. Correction: Dealer will inspect the transfer case and affect repairs as needed.
Brakes
NOTE: VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS). UNDER CONDITIONS OF FULL LOCK STEERING AND FULL SUSPENSION TRAVEL, THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL-SIDE BRAKE HOSE MAY CRACK, THUS RESULTING IN BRAKE FLUID LEAKAGE, REDUCTION IN BRAKING EFFICIENCY AND ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP. CORRECTION: BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES WILL BE REPLACED WITH REVISED MORE DURABLE HOSES.
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the (takata) ABS plastic front seat belt release buttons may break allowing plastic pieces to fall into the buckle assembly. If this should happen, a no latch, false latch or failure to unlatch condition could occur creating the risk of personal injury in the event of a crash or sudden stop. Correction: Front seat belt buckles will be repaired or replaced as necessary.
Emissions
THESE VEHICLES DO NOT COMPLY WITH C.M.V.S.S. 1105 - EVAPORATIVE EMISSIONS. EVAPORATIVE CANISTERS ARE DEFECTIVE. CORRECTION: A CANISTER WHICH HAS 30% LARGER VOLUME, 90% HIGHER WORKING CAPACITY AND A REVISED ACTIVE MATERIAL WILL REMEDY NON-CONFORMANCE.
Powertrain
NOTE: RT TURBO MODELS. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH A TRANSFER CASE THAT COULD LEAK OIL. EXCESSIVE OIL LOSS MAY CAUSE BEARING FAILURE WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TRANSFER CASE TO LOCK-UP, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. CORRECTION: VEHICLES WILL BE INSPECTED AND EITHER AN IMPROVED CASE SEAL (O-RING) WILL BE INSTALLED, OR THE TRANSFER CASE WILL BE REPLACED.
Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE STEALTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE WHEELS SEIZED AND AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS TO UNLOCK THE WHEELS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V143002 (POWER TRAIN: TRANSFER CASE: 4-WHEEL DRIVE), BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 04/10/12
NHTSA complaint #10450081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE STEALTH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE WHEELS SEIZED AND AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT GEARS TO UNLOCK THE WHEELS, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD GRINDING NOISE FOLLOWED BY A LOUD EXPLOSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE TRANSMISSION TRANSFER CASE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V143002 (POWER TRAIN: TRANSFER CASE: 4-WHEEL DRIVE), BUT DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,000. UPDATED 04/10/12
NHTSA complaint #10450081 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1991 DODGE STEALTH. RECALL# 02V143002, POWER TRAIN, TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE) IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE THAT THE CONTACT HAS EXPERIENCED. THE OIL LEAKS FROM THE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE TRANSFER CASE WHICH CAUSED THE BEARINGS TO BE LOCK AND DAMAGE THE DRIVE TRAIN. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BECAME INOPERABLE AND WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT FILED A CLAIM WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND IT WAS DENIED STATING THAT HE HAD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10298560 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT MALFUNCTIONED SINCE I OWNED THE CAR. ON (MAY, 200) THE SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DID NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. UPON TALKING TO OTHER CAR OWNERS THEY HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10194929 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
I HAVE A 1991 DODGE STEALTH AND THE RETRACTOR FOR THE SEAT BELT NO LONGER WORKS. WHEN YOU PUT ON THE SEAT BELT IN MOST CASES THE SLACK IS NOT TAKEN UP. I HAVE NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND I HOPE I'M NOT.
NHTSA complaint #10186660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. WHEN I PULL IT OUT TO BUCKLE UP THE EXTRA SLACK DOES NOT GET TAKEN CARE OF. IT JUST REMAINS LOOSE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW WELL IT WOULD HOLD UP IN AN ACCIDENT. THIS SEEMS TO BE MOST OF THE TIME BUT ONCE IN A WHILE FOR SOME REASON IT WILL RETRACT THE EXTRA SLACK.
NHTSA complaint #10185792 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
1. SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT, AND REMOVE SLACK ONCE THE SEAT BELT IS LATCHED.--- 2. AFTER BUCKLING MY SEAT BELT, THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RETRACT. IT WILL LEAVE A LARGE AMOUNT OF SLACK BETWEEN MY BODY AND THE SEAT. IN A WRECK, IF THERE IS SLACK IN THE SEAT BELT BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE SEAT, THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE BODY. RESULTING IN SERIOUS INJURY, TRAUMA, AND POSSIBLE EJECTION FROM THE CAR, INCLUDING THE POSSIBILITY OF PARALYSIS OR DEATH.--- 3.TRIED CLEANING THE SEAT BELT HANGER AND THE PLACE THE BELT GOES INTO THE CAR, BUT THIS DID NOT RESOLVE THE ISSUE.--- *THERE HAVE BEEN WELL OVER 250 FAILURES, I CAN NOT GIVE AN EXACT AMOUNT OF HOW MANY TIMES I GET IN AND OUT OF MY CAR OVER A COURSE OF TIME, SO THE NUMBER I PUT BELOW IS AN CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE. I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR ALMOST 2 YEARS NOW, AND DRIVE THE CAR BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, AND ON ERRANDS.
NHTSA complaint #10178728 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT ON BOTH PASSENGER/DRIVER SIDES FAIL TO RETRACT.
NHTSA complaint #10175794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT, LEAVING SLACK WHILE DRIVING IN BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER BELTS.
NHTSA complaint #10162586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELTS DO NOT RETRACT ALL THE WAY CAUSING THEM TO POSSIBLY FAIL DURING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10157012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
THE SEAT BELT DO NOT FULLY RETRACT, LEAVING A LOT OF SLACK. THIS MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE, SINCE IT IS NOT DOING ITS JOB. WITH THE SEAT BELT BEING LOOSE, IF I WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD NOT BELT ME IN, WITH ALL THAT EXTRA SLACK HANGING OUT. THIS HAS BEEN A BIG ISSUE FOR A LONG TIME.
NHTSA complaint #10156029 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT FAILS TO RETRACT WHEN IN NORMAL USE, CAUSING EXTREME SLACK AND GIVING NO RESTRAINT IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. NO AMOUNT OF COAXING WILL HELP THE BELT RETRACT.
NHTSA complaint #10155457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
I OWN A 1991 DODGE STEALTH R/T TWIN TURBO VERSION. MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT ON ITS OWN, AND THERE IS CONSISTENTLY SLACK IN THE LINE WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM CONCERNED THAT UPON IMPACT WITH ANOTHER OBJECT, MY BELT WILL NOT BECOME RESTRICTIVE AND HOLD ITS PLACE.
NHTSA complaint #10155319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
SEAT BELT DOES NOT PROPERLY RETRACT AS IT SHOULD. POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE WITH SEAT BELT FAILURE IN THE EVENT OF A WRECK.
NHTSA complaint #10155097 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSFER CASE IS LEAKED. HE FOUND NHTSA RECALL 93V033001. THE MANUFACTURE SAID THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED IN 2002. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM NOW. THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPAIRS MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10141329 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING DOWN MY BLOCK, STOPPED FULLY AT A STOP SIGN, ACCELERATED GENTLY AND THE OUTPUT SHAFT IN MY 1991 DODGE STEALTH TWIN TURBO SNAPPED, CAUSING THE CAR TO RUN FRONT WHEEL DRIVE FOR A BIT UNTILT HE VCU BURNT. I HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION BECAUSE IT SNAPPED.
NHTSA complaint #10112753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I WAS DRIVING AND WHEN I WENT TO PUT IT INTO GEAR, CAR QUIT MOVING.
NHTSA complaint #10102790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
THE CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A TRANSFER CASE PROBLEM. AT ONE TIME THIS WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL UNDER THE VEHICLE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR A WHILE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HE WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE. LAST YEAR THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER RECALL REPAIRS AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG, SO THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED ONLY. *AK RECALL 02V143002.
NHTSA complaint #10095292 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I'VE HEARD THAT THERE IS OR WAS A CLASS ACTION AGAINST CHRYSLER FOR PAINT PROBLEMS. MY CLEARCOAT IS SPIDERING AND PEALING IN SPOTS. I WANTED TO KNOW IF I COULD GET ANY COMPENSATION FROM CHRYSLER TO GET THESE PROBLEMS REPAINTED.
NHTSA complaint #10068804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION OUTPUT SHAFT HAS FAILED FOR THE SECOND TIME ON MY 1991 DODGE STEALTH RT TURBO. WHEN THIS FAILURE OCCURS, POWER IS NO LONGER TRANSMITTED TO THE REAR WHEELS WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO "TORQUE STEER". BASICALLY EVEN MODERATE ACCELERATION CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO UNPREDICTABLY VEER TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #10065932 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 1991 DODGE STEALTH R/T TURBO AND IT HAS HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSON AND TRANSFER CASE REPLACED TWICE, INCLUDING THE OUTPUT SHAFT. CLEARLY THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10058131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
I OWN A 1991 DODGE STEALTH R/T TWINTURBO. THIS CAR USES A 5 SPEED GETRAG TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION IS THE FIRST INITIAL DESIGN WITH AN 18 SPLINE OUTPUT SHAFT. MY CAR HAD TO BE REPAIRED BECAUSE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE SHOP THAT DID THE WORK EXPLAINED TO ME THAT THE OUTPUT SHAFT OF THE TRANSMISSION WAS WORN, AND THIS WAS AFTER ONLY 25K MILES OF REGULAR DRIVING. I EVENTUALLY HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSFERCASE WITH MITSUBISHI'S/GETRAG'S REVISED VERSION WHICH FEATURED A STRONGER 25 SPLINE OUTPUTSHAFT. THIS REPAIR/PARTS COST ME UPWARDS OF 2500 DOLLARS. I BELIEVE THAT ITS THE MANUFACTURERS RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE THESE TRANSMISSIONS RECALLED BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS THAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I BEEN DRIVING. I ALSO FEEL ITS THEIR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS OBVIOUSLY NOT ADEQUATE FOR THE CAR, HENCE THE NEWER DESIGN IN LATE 92 AND 93.
NHTSA complaint #10058111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
I HAVE A 1991 DODGE STEALTH R/T TURBO AND IT HAS HAD TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSON AND TRANSFER CASE REPLACED TWICE, INCLUDING THE OUTPUT SHAFT. CLEARLY THIS IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO LOSE CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #10058131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTIFICATION. ALSO, DEALERSHIP FAILED TO PERFORM REPAIRS FOR THE BRAKE RECALL 96V143003, BUT INDICATED THAT THEY DID. UPON INSPECTION THE ORIGINAL PART WAS STILL ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10046059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION PRIOR TO RECEIVING RECALL NOTIFICATION. ALSO, DEALERSHIP FAILED TO PERFORM REPAIRS FOR THE BRAKE RECALL 96V143003, BUT INDICATED THAT THEY DID. UPON INSPECTION THE ORIGINAL PART WAS STILL ON THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10046059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.