The 1992 draws 2.72 complaints per run and the 1995 1, a 2.7-fold gap within the same model. Half of all complaints arrive by 8 years of age, so 91.2% land after the 3-year basic warranty ends. The system owners report most is Power Train, with 100 complaints, typically at 8.5 years.
Dodge Stealth years to avoid — and the best ones
| Model year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Enough history? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 8 | 8 | yes | |
| 1994 | 22 | 16 | yes | |
| 1993 | 31 | 21 | yes | |
| 1992 | 68 | 25 | yes | |
| 1991 | 46 | 25 | yes |
Does the market discount it? In our listings a 1992 Stealth asks a median $6,000, against $5,950 for a 1993, the next model year: about the same, so the price shows no discount for its complaint record.
Among the 5 Dodge Stealth years with enough history, the three to walk away from are 1992, 1991, 1993; the three worth hunting are 1995, 1994, 1993.
When it starts to break
| Age at failure | Complaints | Running total | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 years | 1.5% | covered | |
| 1 year | 4.4% | covered | |
| 2 years | 8.8% | covered | |
| 3 years | 14.6% | you pay | |
| 4 years | 19.7% | you pay | |
| 5 years | 26.3% | you pay | |
| 6 years | 39.4% | you pay | |
| 7 years | 43.8% | you pay | |
| 8 years | 50.4% | you pay | |
| 9 years | 54.7% | you pay | |
| 10 years | 65% | you pay | |
| 11 years | 72.3% | you pay | |
| 12 years | 83.2% | you pay | |
| 13 years | 88.3% | you pay | |
| 14 years | 96.4% | you pay | |
| 15 years | 100% | you pay |
Basic warranty on this car is 3 years / 36,000 miles. Only 8.8% of reported failures happen inside it — the remaining 91.2% come out of the owner's pocket. Powertrain cover (5 years / 60,000 miles) reaches further, but it only covers the engine and transmission, which account for about 62% of the complaints here.
What actually fails — and at what age
On the Dodge Stealth, the early trouble is Electrical System — reported at around 3.8 years, so a car still under warranty is the one to check for it. What waits further out is Power Train at 8.5 years — past every basic warranty, and the bill lands on whoever owns the car then.
| System | Complaints | Typical age | Crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 8.5 yrs | — | — | |
| Seat Belts | 12.1 yrs | — | — | |
| Air Bags | 4.9 yrs | 2 | — | |
| Service Brakes | 5.7 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 5.7 yrs | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 7.2 yrs | — | — | |
| Electrical System | 3.8 yrs | — | 2 | |
| Suspension | 6.7 yrs | 1 | — |
What else in this class
6 models share the Stealth's vehicle class. Per production run, the Honda Civic draws 2.82 and the Ford Mustang 3.87, against 1.85 for the Stealth. That is the fewest complaints of the group.
| Same class as the Stealth | Complaints on record | Recall campaigns | Years built |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Civic | 413 | 1981–2026 | |
| Ford Mustang | 315 | 1981–2026 | |
| Nissan GT-R | 9 | 2009–2026 | |
| Chevrolet Camaro | 204 | 1981–2026 | |
| Toyota Supra | 35 | 1981–2026 | |
| Nissan Sentra | 158 | 1982–2026 |
The table shows totals on record; the rates per production run are in the sentence above.
Good year or bad year — the VIN settles it.
- Check any VIN against complaints for its exact build year and plant
- Exact value for that car, adjusted for its mileage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
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Frequently asked questions
Is the Dodge Stealth reliable?
By complaints per production run it is better than typical: 1.85 against 3.73 for the average car, and fewer than each of the 2 class rivals we compared.
Which Stealth years should you avoid?
By complaints per production run, 1992, 1991, 1993. The cleanest years old enough to judge are 1995, 1994, 1993. Years newer than 6 are left out: complaints keep arriving for years after a car is sold.
When do Stealth problems usually start?
Half of all complaints arrive by 8 years of age. The most reported system is Power Train, typically at 8.5 years, followed by Seat Belts.
Will the warranty cover Stealth problems?
Mostly not: basic cover is 3 years / 36,000 miles, and only 8.8% of reported failures fall inside it. Powertrain cover lasts longer, but engine and transmission make up about 62% of the complaints here.
Is the Stealth more reliable than the Honda Civic?
Yes: 1.85 complaints per production run for the Stealth against 2.82 for the Honda Civic.
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