1993 DODGE STEALTH Complaints

DODGE MARKETED A VERSION OF THE MITSHUBISHI 3000GT VR-4 IN THE EARLY-MID 90'S. BOTH OF THESE CARS ARE EQUIPPED WITH TRANSMISSIONS THAT CAN LOCK UP WHEN BEING DRIVEN!!! I PERSONALLY KNOW OF AT LEAST 4 OCCURRENCES OF THIS, EVEN THOUGH THE PRODUCTION OF THE CARS WAS LIMITED TO A FEW THOUSAND TURBO MODELS (NOTE: THIS APPLIES ONLY TO THE TURBO MODELS). MY FAILURES HAVE INCLUDED A 2ND GEAR SYNCRO FAILURE, AND A LEAKAGE PROBLEM, BOTH WARRANTED A FULL TRANSAXLE REPLACEMENT. OTHER PEOPLE (SEE WWW.3SI.ORG) ARE REPORTING COMPLETE TRANSAXLE LOCK UPS, INPUT SHAFT LOCK UPS, SYNCHRONIZER FAILURES, AND GENERAL LEAKAGE PROBLEMS. MOST LEAKS, IF UNDETECTED, PARTICULARLY IN THE TRANSFER CASE LEAD TO LOCK UP AT, OFTEN AT HIGH SPEED!!! THIS TRANSMISSION MAKES THE CHEVY VEGA OF THE EARLY 70'S LOOK LIKE A HIGH QUALITY CAR!! *AK

THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM HAS OCCURED SINCE THE 3000GT AND STEALTH TWIN TURBO HAS BEEN OUT. WE'VE HAD MANY PEOPLE ON THERE 4TH AND 5TH TRANSMISSION ALREADY AND HAVE GONE OUT AS EARLY AS 20,000 MILES. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. AS IN MY CASE IT WOULD HAVE COSTED ME $5800 JUST FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION QALONE SINCE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT AVAIL. AND IF THE TRANNY WOULD HAVE GOING, IN MY INSTANCE, ALL 4 TIRES WOULD HAVE LOCKED UP ON ME SINCE ITS AN AWD SYSTEM. THIS COULD CAUSE A VERY LIFE THREATING PROBLEM.

OUTPUT SPLINES ON TRANSAXLE/INPUT SPLINES ON TRANSFER CASE RUSTED AND STRIPED OUT

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.

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.

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

THE OUTPUT SHAFT FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE TRANSFER CASE BECAME STRIPPED. THE DEALER WOULD NOT SUPPLY PARTS FOR THE TRANSMISSION, STATING THAT FOR ANY PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR TRANSFER CASE THE PARTS MUST BE REPLACED. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS (EXPENSIVELY) TO REPLACE THE PARTS THAT BROKE, BUT IT BECAME OVER $5000 JUST IN PARTS!!!! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *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

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

OWNER STATES GLUE IS USED TO HOLD THE PLASTIC TYPE HUB WHEELS ON VEHICLE WHICH OVER TIME HEAT BUILDS UP FROM CONSTANT BRAKING, CAUSING WHEEL TO FALL OF WHILE DRIVING. *AK