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1991 Dodge STEALTH: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

45 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

110,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1991 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 45 complaints (24.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting1737.8%
Braking behavior24.4%
Engine operation12.2%

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.

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
11
Power Train:Manual Transmission
9
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)
9
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
5
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift
3
Air Bags
2
Air Bags:Frontal
1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor11
Power Train:Manual Transmission9
Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)9
Power Train:Automatic Transmission5
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift3
Air Bags2
Air Bags:Frontal1
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline1

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 11; Power Train:Manual Transmission: 9; Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive): 9; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 3; Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Frontal: 1; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
1
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
4
100,000 to 149,999
5
150,000 and above
4
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0001
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9994
100,000 to 149,9995
150,000 and above4

Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 4

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 30 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.

1995
4
1996
2
2001
9
2002
3
2003
6
2004
6
2005
2
2006
7
2007
4
2010
1
2012
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19954
19962
20019
20023
20036
20046
20052
20067
20074
20101
20121

1995: 4; 1996: 2; 2001: 9; 2002: 3; 2003: 6; 2004: 6; 2005: 2; 2006: 7; 2007: 4; 2010: 1; 2012: 1

Pattern summary

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 17 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.

Examples from the source records

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 10024917 · 2003-06-25 (June 25, 2003)

THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 4/19/2003 FOR RECALL# 02V143002 SUBJECT: TRANSFER CASE LEAKAGE. A WEEK AFTER, THE REAR WHEELS LOCKED UP AND NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE TRANSFER CASE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHICH STATED IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER INSISTS THAT THE DEALER DID NOT PROPERLY FIX THE TRANSFER CASE. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10024917 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 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 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 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 10058111 · 2004-02-13 (February 13, 2004)

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…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058111 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10058131 · 2004-02-13 (February 13, 2004)

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.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058131 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

02V143002 · Power Train:Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive)

Reported: 2002-05-14 (May 14, 2002)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
93V033001 · Power Train:Driveline

Reported: 1993-04-08 (April 8, 1993)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: INSTALL A C-RING TO TRANSFER CASE TO PREVENT OIL LEAKAGE, OR REPLACE TRANSFER CASE TO MAINTAIN SUFFICIENT OIL LEVELS IN THE TRANSFER CASE.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
95V103003 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Reported: 1995-05-24 (May 24, 1995)

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.

Consequence: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
96V143003 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 1996-10-08 (October 8, 1996)

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.

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

NHTSA campaign record ↗