Model year record

1991 Dodge Stealth recalls & problems

The 1991 Dodge Stealth has 4 safety recalls and 63 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (39 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints63filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power trainMay 14, 2002

Transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Recall 02V1430029,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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, hydraulicOct 8, 1996

Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 96V14300323,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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

Seat beltsMay 24, 1995

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 95V103003920,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

Power trainApr 8, 1993

Driveline

Recall 93V0330012,700 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

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

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Stealth

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

Stealth

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

Stealth

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Stealth

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Stealth

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Power trainManual transmission; Automatic transmission	39	113,775 mi
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Front › Buckle assembly	13	98,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	5	—
Air bagsFrontal	4	—
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys	4	—
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower arm; Front › Control arm	2	—
Electrical system12v/24v/48v battery	2	—
Vehicle speed control	1	—
Wheels	1	—
Unknown or other	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

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*LJ
Dec 17, 2010 · 160,000 miles
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.
Jan 4, 2010 · 110,000 miles
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. *AK
May 23, 2007
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. *JB
Apr 1, 2007 · 150,000 miles
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.*AK
Mar 21, 2007 · 18,000 miles
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…
Jan 8, 2007 · 92,000 miles
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
SEAT BELT ON BOTH PASSENGER/DRIVER SIDES FAIL TO RETRACT. *NM
Sep 19, 2006 · 119,500 miles
Seat belts › Front › Retractor
SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT, LEAVING SLACK WHILE DRIVING IN BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER BELTS. *JB
Jul 17, 2006 · 40,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUPClosedLed to recall 93V033000
There is no summary currently available
EA92004 · opened Jan 23, 1992 · closed Mar 26, 1993