Dodge STEALTH problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
187 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
101,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1991 to 1996 model years. Data snapshot: . 62 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 38 of 187 complaints (20.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 53 | 28.3% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 4.3% |
| Engine operation | 6 | 3.2% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 1.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 0.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 38 |
| Power Train:Manual Transmission | 30 |
| Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) | 28 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 21 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 11 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Power Train | 7 |
| Seat Belts | 5 |
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 38; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 30; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 28; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 21; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 11; Air Bags: 7; Power Train: 7; Seat Belts: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 16 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 27 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 16; 100,000 to 149,999: 27; 150,000 and above: 7
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (27). 125 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 12 |
| 1996 | 7 |
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 23 |
| 2002 | 24 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 8 |
| 2006 | 33 |
| 2007 | 12 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
1995: 12; 1996: 7; 2000: 20; 2001: 23; 2002: 24; 2003: 16; 2004: 17; 2005: 8; 2006: 33; 2007: 12; 2008: 4; 2010: 1; 2011: 1; 2012: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 53 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011612 · 2003-04-01 (April 1, 2003)
THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE TRANSFER CASE. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011612 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045038 · 2003-10-29 (October 29, 2003)
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE CONCERNING THE TRANSFER CASE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. BUT BEFORE HE COULD GET VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP, CAUSING SHEDDING OF THE OUTPUT SHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION. THIS FRACTURED THE TRANSFER CASE, AND ALL THE OIL LEAKED OUT. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT AT FIRST DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION FREE OF CHARGE IF THE DAMAGE WAS FOUND TO BE CAUSED BY THE LOCKING UP OF THE TRANSFER CASE. AFTER WAITING FOR ABOUT A WEEK, CONSUMER SAW A DISTRIC…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10045038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10024989 · 2003-07-25 (July 25, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED OR WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS USED. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS DEFECTIVE BRAKE CALIPERS. *AK *CB *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10046059 · 2003-10-30 (October 30, 2003)
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.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 169,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10046059 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026204 · 2003-06-30 (June 30, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT TIMING BELT TENSIONER FAILED WHILED DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026204 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066498 · 2004-04-19 (April 19, 2004)
DODGE STEALTH (1992 RT AWD MODEL) TRANSMISSION FAILED ON HIGHWAY. FAILURE MODE WAS LOSS OF POWER. CAR WAS DRIVEN OFF ROAD SAFELY, BUT POSED A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD DUE TO LACK OF POWER. *AK THERE IS A RECALL AGAINST THE GETRAG TRANSFER CASE (POSSIBLE BEARING SEIZURE DUE TO DEFECTIVE SEAL AND SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF LUBRICANT). BASED ON INITIAL RESEARCH (WEB, DEALER AND TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP STATEMENTS), IT APPEARS THE GETRAG TRANSMISSION IN THE STEALTH AND MITSUBISHI 3000GT MODELS ARE NOT PROPERLY DESIGNED FOR THE APPLICATION. THI…
Owner-reported narrative. 90,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 8017871 · 2002-09-04 (September 4, 2002)
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING TRANSFER CASE HAS CRACKED AND FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT.THIS COULD CAUSE STEERING WHEEL OR ALL FOUR TIRES TO LOCK UP WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 8017871 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10120271 · 2005-05-09 (May 9, 2005)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10120271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507360 · 1996-08-13 (August 13, 1996)
ABS BRAKES FAILED, ROTORS FAILED ONCE AND BRAKE PADS MALFUNCTIONED 3TIMES, ALSO BATTERY FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 960672 · 1995-02-27 (February 27, 1995)
GAS TANK FIRE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 960672 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1991 | 4 |
| 1992 | 2 |
| 1993 | 2 |
| 1994 | 2 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
1991: 4; 1992: 2; 1993: 2; 1994: 2; 1995: 1; 1996: 1