1993 Dodge Stealth Problems

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

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

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.

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

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.

BRAKES LOCKED UP AT NORMAL SPEEDS, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL, ONCE RESULTING IN A COLLISION/INJURIES.

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.

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

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

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE WIRING HARNESS UNDER THE HOOD CAUGHT ON FIRE. DEALER SAYS THE WIRING HARNESS RUBBED AGAINST A MOTOR MOUNT AND RUBBED THROUGH THE INSULATION. *AK

THE PULLEY AND CABLE ASSEMBLY ON THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE WINDOW AND FAILS AFTER SOME TIME. WHAT EXACTLY HAPPENS IS THE PIECE OF METAL TO WHICH THE PULLEY AND CABLE GUIDES ARE ATTACHED WARPS INWARD TOWARDS THE WINDOW, AND WHEN IT WARPS FAR ENOUGH, THE PLASTIC SHAFT WHICH HOLDS THE PULLEY/GUIDE ASSEMBLY TOGETHER SHATTERS AND THE WINDOW FALLS VERY FORCEFULLY. THIS PART FAILED FIRST ON THE RIGHT AND THEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF MY CAR, AND I HAVE OBSERVED THE EXACT SAME FAILURE ON A FRIEND'S '94 MITSUBISHI 3000GT WHICH IS THE SISTER CAR TO THE DODGE STEALTH.

SUNROOF WINDOW EXPLODED IN OUTER AND INNER OF THE VEHICLE, RESULTING IN INJURIES TO DAUGHTER. TT

DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELTS FAILED TO RETRACT. *AK

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

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

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

THE IDLE MALFUNCTIONED AND VEHICLE GOES UP TO 7000RPM, SOMETIMES VEHICLE STALLS OUT, CAUSING BRAKING AND STEERING FAILURE. TT

IDLE REEVES UP TO 2000 RPMS, CAUSING A SURGING PROBLEM. TT

KEY FITS INTO RECESSED LUGNUT IN A PATTERN SPECIFIC FASHION. KEY PULLS OUT OF LUG NUT INSTEAD OF LOOSENING IT MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CHANGE A FLAT TIRE AND LEAVING ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. ABLE TO LOOSEN THE STANDARD LUG NUTS PROVING PROBLEM IS WITH THE DESIGN OF THE KEY NOT THE LUG NUTS. CHRYSLER CORP CONTACTED TWICE AND REFUSING REPLACEMENT OR INVESTIGATION INTO DESIGN FLAW. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF OTHERS WITH SIMILAR LUG NUTS.

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

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

THE AIR BAG FRONT IMPACT SENSOR IS GOING BAD ON ITS OWN. THE AIR BAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & HAD IT TEST DRIVEN. WAS INFORMED PROBLEM WAS IN THE WHEEL WELL AREA. WILL BE HAVING IT REPAIRED. *AK

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