Output shaft in transmission has broke twice, once when I bought the car and the whole transmission was replaced, no more than a few hundred miles later the shaft snapped again. The shop that replaced everything the first time stated that the shaft is very weak under pressure. The vehicle has been babied and taken well care of, never driven very hard, but a few times of taking off and the shaft has broken on me 2 times. This time, the car has been sitting for months because I cant afford to buy another $4000 dollar transmission, which would probably break again. Its not much cheaper to install a performance output shaft, which costs around $600 for the shaft alone.
Dodge Stealth transmission failure problems
16 of the 237 owner complaints about the Dodge Stealth describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 1991 model year.
- owner complaints
- 16
- worst model year
- 1991
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
What owners say
Dodge stealth (1992 rt awd model) transmission failed on highway. Failure mode was loss of power. Car was driven off road safely, but posed a potential safety hazard due to lack of power. *ak there is a recall against the getrag transfer case (possible bearing seizure due to defective seal and subsequent loss of lubricant). Based on initial research (web, dealer and transmission repair shop statements), it appears the getrag transmission in the stealth and mitsubishi 3000gt models are not properly designed for the application. This car has had exquisite care and is driven in a responsible manner. I believe the transmission design/construction is fundamentally defective and should be considered for a recall. Daimler-chrysler and mitsubishi do not admit to a design defect with the part. Furthermore, they and getrag have created a lucrative business on this part since replacement parts are not offered; requiring replacement of the entire transmission assembly.
I own a 1991 dodge stealth r/t twinturbo. This car uses a 5 speed getrag transmission. The transmission is the first initial design with an 18 spline output shaft. My car had to be repaired because of transmission problems. The shop that did the work explained to me that the output shaft of the transmission was worn, and this was after only 25k miles of regular driving. I eventually had to replace the transmission and transfercase with mitsubishi's/getrag's revised version which featured a stronger 25 spline outputshaft. This repair/parts cost me upwards of 2500 dollars. I believe that its the manufacturers responsibility to have these transmissions recalled because of potential problems that could have happened had I been driving. I also feel its their responsibility because the transmission was obviously not adequate for the car, hence the newer design in late 92 and 93.
The transmission was replaced due to the defective transfer case. Scc
My car has suffered multiple transmission failures. One in 07/1994 with only 1,774 miles, 3rd gear issues at 65,461 miles 10/1996, a full transmission replacement again at 68,057 miles in 01/1997, more 3rd gear issues in 02/1997 with 68,069 miles, transmission was replaced again in 01/1998 with 77,560 miles because of inability to shift into 2nd gear. We have records of all of these though they came before we owned the vehicle. I do not have condfidence this won't happen again.
As you are seeing, many of us are fed up with transmission failures. Any problem constitutes replacement, costing $4000+. I have had 3 failures, all under 60k miles on the transmission, and one of which had been _professionally_ rebuilt. The manufacturer wants no part of this, but we love our cars and can't afford to keep this up. Please do whatever you can to help us, all is appreciated.
The transmission failed. The engine just revved and would not go into reverse. Transmission had to be totally rebuilt.
All 4 wheels lock up upon transmission failure. Transmission is prone to leaking.transmission cannot be rebuilt, total replacement is necessary due to unavailability of parts. This is a consistant problem with mitsubishi 3000gt vr4s and dodge stealth r/t turbos, which have the same drivetrain.
This is far to common of a problem for every twin turbo ive ever seen. There are no after market parts on the car, and it was not abused. I got lucky, others had all four tires lock up while driving, wich is seriously dangerous. Mitsubishi has admitted that the getrag is faulty, yet does nothing about it. Please, they dont even make replacement parts for the thing. It s a conspiracy. I have yet to meet an owner of a vr4 or dodge stealth twin turbo, who has not had transmission failure. Since this is the case, how can they not be liable to recall these things, and fix what they know is faulty@!
Transmission failures like this are common in dodge stealths and 3000gt awd models (essentially the same car) when the transfer case was opened, it had been rusting inside. This is both costly and dangerous to the consumer.
Related recalls
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 transfer case resealed or replaced if necessary. Owner notification is expected to begin december 2, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact daimlerchrysler at 1‑800‑853‑1403.
Recall number 02V143002 · Recall details
Power train: driveline
- What is wrong
- A condition exists that allows oil to leak from the all wheel drive transfer case. Low oil levels in the transfer case can cause bearing damage and failure.
- Risk
- Bearing failure in the transfer case results inpower train lockup without prior warning, while the vehicle is at highway speed.this could cause in a loss of vehicle control and an accident.
- Remedy
- Install a c-ring to transfer case to prevent oil leakage, or replace transfer case to maintain sufficient oil levels in the transfer case.
Recall number 93V033001 · Recall details
Questions about the Dodge Stealth transmission failure
Which Dodge Stealth years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1991 (6 complaints), 1992 (5 complaints) and 1993 (3 complaints).
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