1991-1996 Dodge Stealth: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1991-1996 Dodge Stealth and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Acceleration
- Handling/roadholding
- Antilock brakes
- All-wheel-drive traction (R/T Turbo)
Cons
- Fuel economy (R/T Turbo)
- Cargo room
- Rear-seat room
- Ride (R/T Turbo)
Vehicle Highlights
Dodge dove directly into the high-performance field with its own version of the new Japanese 2+2 sport coupe. Called 3000GT in Mitsubishi form, the platform was based on that used by the Mitsubishi Eclipse/Eagle Talon coupes. All shared the same wheelbase, but the assertive Stealth and 3000GT bodies measured 10 inches longer overall and six inches wider. Four Stealth models were offered, each with a driver-side airbag and transverse 3.0-liter V6 engine. Base, ES, and R/T models were front drive. A 164-horsepower engine went into the base Stealth, while the ES and R/T got a dual overhead-cam variant that put out 222 horses. Top dog was the R/T Turbo, breathing through a pair of intercooled turbochargers for 300 horsepower. That one also got permanently engaged 4-wheel drive and 4-wheel steering, which turns the rear wheels slightly in the same direction as the front wheels at speeds past 30 mph. Turbos came only with manual shift.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo 5-speed Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 8 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 2 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 1 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 37 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1991-1996 Dodge Stealth. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1991-1996 Dodge Stealth.
Year to Year Changes
1992 Dodge Stealth:
Only a handful of changes were evident for '92. A manual tilt/removable glass sunroof arrived at mid-year as a new option.
1993 Dodge Stealth:
Base-model Stealths gained the lower body-sill molding formerly used only on the ES. Also, base and ES models could have a rear spoiler like the R/T.
1994 Dodge Stealth:
A passenger-side airbag arrived for 1994. New front/rear styling included exposed projector style headlamps. The ES model disappeared, cutting the lineup to three: base, R/T, and R/T Turbo. The R/T Turbo got a 6-speed manual gearbox and its engine gained 20 horsepower.
1995 Dodge Stealth:
The R/T Turbo could now be ordered with 18-inch chromed aluminum wheels, but few other changes arrived this year.
1996 Dodge Stealth:
Leather front seats (vinyl rears) became available on base Stealths. All three models got a new body-color rear spoiler.
Our road test for the 1991-1996 Dodge Stealth includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1991-1996 Dodge Stealth and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1991-1996 Dodge Stealth is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
An R/T Turbo is frightfully fast. All told, a base or ES Stealth makes more sense for most drivers. Both feel more responsive in daily driving with manual shift. Far lighter in weight, they don't suffer the flagship model's turbo lag or stiff ride. Front-drive Stealths suffer only minimal torque steer, and run quieter. Sadly, the optional automatic transmission keeps the V6 from revving high enough. Turbo gas mileage is marginal, but not bad for a car with such strong performance and so many pounds to haul. An early test Turbo averaged 18.8 mpg. Still, the aero gimmicks on either R/T do not justify their higher prices. Stealths suffer a rather claustrophobic 2+2 cockpit that isn't so easy to enter or leave. Elbow room is greater than a Talon or Eclipse, but rear seats are next to useless. Cargo space is scant, too. All-wheel drive on the R/T Turbo is a bonus on wet pavement, though front-drive Stealths also provide fine grip. Four-wheel steering subtly does its part toward that top Stealth's tenacious roadholding. On the other hand, the difference isn't great, and 4WS can communicate a nervous detachment, unlike the satisfying precision of regular steering on other Stealths.
Value for the Money
Appealing more because of its style and performance than its practical virtues, Dodge's sports coupe scores high on that level. But a Stealth is not nearly as successful as a daily driver.
Appealing more because of its style and performance than its practical virtues, Dodge's sports coupe scores high on that level. But a Stealth is not nearly as successful as a daily driver.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo 5-speed Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 8 | |
| Fuel Economy | 3 | |
| Ride Quality | 2 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 7 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 3 | |
| Interior Room | 4 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 1 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 2 | |
| Value within Class | 4 | |
| Total Score: | 37 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Dodge Stealth includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Dodge Stealth .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Automatic transmission:
Hard shifting and gear clash can be eliminated by installing revised synchronizer components. (1991)
Automatic transmission:
No second gear and/or a loud tapping noise when shifted into or out of any forward range. (1991-96)
Dashboard lights:
The check engine light comes on, and will set a code for a bad camshaft sensor. The fix is to replace the engine control computer. (1996)
Doors:
The door window weatherstrip pulls out when the glass is moved up or down. A revised weatherstrip has been released to replace it. (1994)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $760 |
| Alternator | $690 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $1,025 |
| Brakes | $245 |
| Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing | $485 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $490 |
| Exhaust System | $420 |
| Radiator | $530 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $720 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $295 |
Our price chart for this generation Dodge Stealth details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 1996 | |||
| Stealth R/T Turbo | $5,200-6,000 | $4,400-5,100 | $2,100-2,400 |
| Stealth, R/T | $3,500-4,500 | $2,800-3,600 | $900-1,200 |
| 1995 | |||
| Stealth R/T Turbo | $4,300-5,100 | $3,600-4,200 | $1,500-1,700 |
| Stealth, R/T | $2,700-3,500 | $2,000-2,600 | $600-800 |
| 1994 | |||
| Stealth R/T Turbo | $3,800-4,600 | $3,100-3,800 | $1,200-1,400 |
| Stealth, R/T | $2,200-2,900 | $1,600-2,100 | $400-600 |
| 1993 | |||
| Stealth R/T Turbo | $3,200-4,000 | $2,500-3,100 | $800-1,000 |
| Stealth, R/T | $1,800-2,600 | $1,200-1,800 | $300-400 |
| 1992 | |||
| Stealth R/T Turbo | $2,700-3,500 | $2,000-2,600 | $600-800 |
| Stealth, R/T | $1,500-2,300 | $1,000-1,500 | $200-300 |
| 1991 | |||
| Stealth R/T Turbo | $2,400-3,100 | $1,700-2,200 | $500-600 |
| Stealth, R/T | $1,300-2,100 | $800-1,300 | $200-300 |
|
|
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This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Dodge Stealth include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 2-door hatchback | |
| Wheelbase, in. | 97.2 | |
| Overall Length, in. | 179.5 | |
| Overall Width, in. | 72.4 | |
| Overall Height, in. | 49.1 | |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3064 | |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 11.1 | |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- | |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 19.8 | |
| Seating Capacity | 4 | |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.1 | |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 44.2 | |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 34.1 | |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 28.5 | |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Each Stealth model had a variant of the 3.0-liter V6 engine. A 164-horsepower, overhead-cam V6 went into base models. The ES and R/T got a dual overhead-cam rendition, rated at 222 horsepower. In turbocharged form for the R/T Turbo, the V6 put out 300 horsepower (320 after 1993). A 5-speed manual transmission was standard, but the R/T Turbo switched to a 6-speed unit in '94. Any Stealth except the R/T Turbo could have a 4-speed automatic.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| ohc V6 | 3.0 / 181 | 164 | 185 | 5-speed manual: 19/24 4-speed automatic: 18/23 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: 19.2 |
| dohc V6 | 3.0 / 181 | 222 | 201 | 5-speed manual: 19/25 4-speed automatic: 18/24 |
5-speed manual: -- 4-speed automatic: -- |
| Turbocharged dohc V6 | 3.0 / 181 | 300-320 | 307-315 | 5-speed manual: 19/25 6-speed manual: 18/24 |
5-speed manual: 18.8 6-speed manual: -- |
|
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Dodge Stealth include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 1993 Stealth |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, Passenger | 3 |
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1991-1996 Dodge Stealth directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
1991 R/T Turbo:
Oil might leak from AWD transfer case, causing bearing damage and failure.
1991:
Front seatbelt release button can break, causing improper operation.
1991-94:
In conditions of full-lock steering and full suspension travel, front brake hose can crack, resulting in brake fluid leakage.
1991-96 built by Mitsubishi:
All-wheel drive transfer case may leak oil, causing bearing damage and increasing the risk of a crash.
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