Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about the 1993 Dodge Stealth, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 20 | 40% |
| Service brakes | 5 | 10% |
| Tires | 3 | 6% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 6% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 2 | 4% |
| Visibility | 2 | 4% |
| Wheels | 2 | 4% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 a
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
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 INS
NHTSA complaint: Tires
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
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/
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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. *A
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 1993 Dodge Stealth. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 TRANSFE
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.
| Reliability raw | 86 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 78 | good |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 54 | average |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 20 of them (40%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 86/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1993 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 71/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.