Comments: 1-15, 16-19
Valves continually tick no matter what type of lubricant oil is used.
Air Conditioning went bad and cost $1400.00 to repair.
Flex exhaust rusted at bottom and cost $1100.00 to repair.
Transmission doesn't shift well, hangs up in gear or want shift into gear.
Overhead cam jumps out tooth leaving me stranded.
Replaced water pump at the cost of $430.00.
Replace tensioner and timing belt at the cost of $600.00.
Electronic Stabilizer went bad and repaired at the cost of $200.00.
Leather steering wheel & shifter have worn, as well as boot for shifter shredding.
Seats wear on edge from entering car.
Electric radio antenna broken.
The Stealth is a great car in appearance, however the cost for upkeep is tremendously more than the car itself is worth. While the value of the car is $3000, I have put more than $6000 into it in normal repairs since ownership. Dodge is proud of their equipment and it shows in their pricing.
Anyone who wants to own a Stealth had better have deep pockets and a good number for their local wrecker service.
Well your thing was very encouraging for me! you see because I'm 16 and just bought a 1992 stealth I got it 2 weeks ago and already I am spending almost a 1000 dollars on it, the day I got it my pop up sunroof blew out of my car I'm struggling to come up with that and I need new tires. so I hope I don't have as much trouble as you did. I never knew how high the prices was going to be before I got it. jennifer.
I'm sorry to hear about your misfortunes with the car.
As for me, I have a '91 ES and absolutely love it!!!
Aside from it being a farely unique car, I hardly sank any money into it at all.
I bought it a year ago with 82000 miles on it, it now has 135000 and still runs excellent! The only problem is that I fell asleep behind the wheel and slammed into the back of a pick-up at 65MPH. The car held up great. The hood was pushed in about 2 1/2 inches along with the bumper. And the headlight assembly was destroyed. Thank God no one was injured. Life goes on!
It sounds like you got some rare problems with your car. I have a 95 dodge stealth, and it runs fine, it recently developed a click, but it also has 137000 miles on it, so I'm not to concerned. I also have a 1992 dodge stealth es and 1991 dodge stealth R/T turbo that has 1800 miles (no misprint). But all these cars run fine, and fast. I'm am very sorry hearing about your misfortune, but I've only ever heard three people complain about these cars, so I figure you've just had a run of bad luck.
I had a 1991 Dodge Stealth R/T for about a year. I bought it with 89,000 miles on it and sold it with 92,000 miles on it. In those 3,000 miles, I had several problems with it.
I had to fix the transmission twice for the same problem (would not shift out of second gear, causing it to be a bit sluggish on take-off and caused the car to run very high RPMs during driving), costing around $1,200 the first time and around $800 the second time.
Then, the air-conditioning stopped working. It turned out to be a problem with the digital computer-controlled climate system. The system was no longer turning the A/C compressor on, 'causing it to not cool the car. The dealership could not get a replacement part, so they installed a toggle switch for the compressor, meaning that I had to manually turn it on every time I used my A/C or defroster.
Finally, the ECS (Electronically Controlled Suspension) went out. The ECS was stuck in sport mode, causing the car to have a harsh ride all the time. The car being in ECS saved me the trouble of having to turn it on every time I started the car, but it annoyed most of my passengers and bothered me a lot when I was on an especially bumpy road and could not turn it off. I can't remember the exact cost to fix it, but I'm thinking it was around $750.
I did some research on the Internet and discovered that these cars, as well as their 3000GT counterparts, tend to start to "fall apart" around 100,000 miles. Upon reading that, I traded it in on my 2003 Honda Civic Si. I did a review of it on here if you want to read it. It handles better than my Stealth did, it's quicker (it's a 2-liter in-line four-cylinder with a 0-60 time of 6.8 seconds, versus the 7.7 seconds of my 3-liter V-6 Stealth R/T), it has a warranty, and is even less common than my Stealth. I noticed two other stealths (both base models) and three 3000GTs in my town... but I have yet to see another new Civic Si in my town after owning it for almost eight months now.
1991 dodge stealth r/t 24vavle, awd, twin turbo. bought for 5200 with 150,000 miles. All that has gone bad listed below.ECS, computer chip burn out, fuel pump, radiator, starter, water pump, alternator, timing belt (twice),air conditioning, fly wheel, clutch, all valves replaced in the complete 3900 dollar head rebuild, drivers side automatic window motor, and other stuff I may have forgotten dreaming about all the money I have spent on repairs, when I could have modified the poo out of this unique vehicle. This all has taken place within 7000 mile and 2 years.
Well, I hate to hear other horror stories with the Stealth, but it may add a little comfort knowing you all are not alone. I purchased a 1992 Dodge Stealth ES for a reasonable amount from people my girlfriend knew. This car has been a nightmare. Within 16 days the transmission went out, then the fuel injectors, then the computer, then more electrical problems, and now I am back to square one and the engine has a life of its own. And these problems aren't including problems that I fixed alone, these are problems I had to get serviced by someone else (I would have been better off buying my own frigging garage!!!). But nevertheless, I have become a better mechanic and learned a valuable lesson in patience...and money!! Good luck to the rest of you that are having problems and let this serve as a warning for others. They are nice cars, but anything mechanical can go wrong at any time, this I know all too well!!!
I have a 1992 Dodge Stealth. It has brand new red leather seats and I recently just dropped a brand new engine in it because the valves were tapping in it. The valves are very bad in the Dodge Stealth/Mitsubishi 3000gt engines. You can notice once you start your ignition. The valves start making a loud and fast clicking noise. If anyone knows how to solve this problem, please notify me. Thank you.
I feel for you, because I have had more than my share of problems with this unique and nice looking car. I have a 1992 Dodge Stealth RT model. I purchased it from the original owner - whom kept all maintenance records. She definately pampered it. I have done the same you would say. I also have put about $6000 into this car which is worth much less, sadly. For starters, I have had to replace the drive belt 2 or 3 times, replace the clutch, replace the AC compressor, replace the struts, replace the engine - (due to the oil pump going out), replace the tires once, replace the ECU (expensive, but I had it rebuilt, less costly), spent a lot on just getting a noise checked out. Even now, I have a very horrible squeeling noise that occurs. The garage tells me it could be the power steering tensioner and/or the water pump going out.
I have had my seats redone, leather. This car was the worst investment I could have ever made. There are many other items to be listed as well. IF it should happen to run well, depending on 'its' mood, then yes, this car is great. However, as much as I spend on it, it just does not seem to want to respect me.
MITCH.
I have a 91' Dodge Stealth R/T and so far I replaced the motor, due to oil pump. Now I'm having problem with the transmission. When I put the over drive button on while I'm driving it doesn't go in to gear. Rpm's go up and car doesn't go any where. Plus I went to go see what eles is wrong with the car and I'm looking at a bill about $4000.00 dollars. Plus I need new tires because mine are bald and I call to see how much they are each and there $95.00 for just one tire. But besides all that it runs fast and strong and I love it. Rollie.
I own a 95 Stealth. I bought it fully aware that money would need to be put into it, as I would expect with any vehicle that has 120,000 miles. The average person will fix problems on a vehicle after they break, which can lead one problem to other problems. To maintain a vehicle correctly, the engine should be monitored constantly and preventive maintenance steps should be taken. Comparing my stealth to my past used cars (86 thunderbird, regency, 5th ave, s-10) I would say its performance is just as good, but my satisfaction is much better because of the look and feel of the car.
She now has 140,000 miles, and I've spent $2000 on tune ups, brakes, and a new alternator in those 20,000 miles.
I have a 1991 Dodge Stealth and it ran fine for about 1 year when (what I think is the fuel pump) went bad. It turns over, but it acts like it is getting no fuel. it could be the sensors or clogged lines, but if anyone know the problem, can you please email me at samsnyder743@yahoo.com
Thank you.
I hope it isn't the fuel pump that broke. LOL
Hi, I also have a 1991 Dodge Stealth r/t non turbo. It's great, OK you have your fair share of problems with every old car. I had to replace my ac compressor which was pretty pricey, driver side battery died, antenna broke and the rear left rim is leaking air. Hahaha I've got to say this car has been a very great car, fast and reliable. Come on when rims start to leak air after 15years you no they've already done there job. Now I have 18inch chromed rims and everything on the car works. I only have spent around 2grand on the car and I purchased it in 1996. I bought her with 15k, it was owned by a old man and he kept her in great condition, she now has 50k. It's a great car and I love it.
I have owned my 92 Dodge Stealth ES since 94 and have been very pleased with it. I have had to replace the clutch, timing belt, tires, (I drive to fast) slave cylinder, and catalytic converter, but that is about it. I have 180,000 miles on the car and I had to change my first CV boot last week. I would say that is a pretty reliable car. I plan to drive it until 250,000 miles and then park it beside the garbage can. (It presently has the import car clatter, but just keep oil in it and it will be fine!)
I sold these vehicles brand new then and now as a used car dealer. The most important thing to remember is... there is a HUGE difference between the ES and the RT. Two completely different animals. As far as the ES, its merely a dressed up avenger or eclipse, okay for every day. The RT on the other hand, is high performance car, meant to be babied. This is why you are seeing most of the problems with the RT, now that they are older are affordable to most folks. People are buying them with the expectation to use these cars as they're everyday, back and forth transportation. NO NO NO NO!!! Please people, treat these cars like the special high performance vehicles they are, not the family outing car.
I have a 1991 Dodge Stealth ES, and I have had a lot of problems.
First the connecting rod bearings went, then the lifters valves.
After all that, the engine went and clutch. I replaced the clutch twice, and now the slave cylinder is shot.
Bought the car for $6000, and after putting &6500 in to it, it's still not done.
So if you want a Stealth, be prepared to spend some coin. But it is worth it (at least to a die-hard Stealth and Dodge fan).