1997 Dodge Stealth problems
The Mitsubishi 3000GT is a front-engine, all-wheel/front-wheel drive grand touring/sports car manufactured and marketed by Mitsubishi from 1990 until 2000 over three different generations. Manufactured in a three-door hatchback coupé body style in Nagoya, Japan, the 2+2 four-seaters were marketed in the Japanese domestic market (JDM) as the GTO, and globally as 3000GT. In North America, it was sold both as the Mitsubishi 3000GT (1991–1999) and the Dodge Stealth (1991–1996), a badge engineered, mechanically identical captive import. As a collaborative effort between Chrysler and Mitsubishi Motors, Chrysler was responsible for the Stealth's exterior styling.
The car was based on Mitsubishi's Sigma/Diamante and retained their transverse mounted 3-liter, 24-valve V6 engines and front-wheel-drive layout. The GTO's engines were naturally aspirated or with twin-turbochargers and were also available with active aerodynamics (automatically adjusting front and rear spoilers), four-wheel-steering, full-time all-wheel-drive and adaptive suspension.
Mitsubishi marketed a retractable hardtop variant, which were engineered and converted from coupé models in California by ASC, and sold as the GT Spyder or VR4 Spyder for model years 1993–1995. These were the first fully automated retractable hardtop marketed since the 1959 Ford Skyliner.
The JDM model took its name from the Galant GTO, a two-door hardtop coupé marketed by the company in the early 1970s, which in turn took its name from the Ferrari 250 GTO, short for Gran Turismo Omologata – "Omologata" signifying that it met motorsport homologation requirements.
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Common 1997 Dodge Stealth problems
The Dodge Stealth, produced in partnership with Mitsubishi, was a 1990s sports car that boasted impressive performance features, including a 300-hp twin-turbo V6 and all-wheel drive.
One of the major issues was the complexity of the dashboard layout, which was difficult to read at a glance, and some controls were out of easy reach. However, the most significant problem was the cutting-edge technology that the R/T Turbo model included.
The R/T Turbo model had many supercar features that still seem advanced today, such as active front and rear spoilers that could raise and lower at 50 mph, an active suspension that firmed up and lowered the ride, and four-wheel steering. While these features made the car stand out, they also made it expensive to maintain and repair.
The car's technology made it heavy, with the Stealth weighing 250 pounds more than the Nissan 300ZX, which had similar performance. This extra weight made the car feel heavier and disconnected, making it harder to drive.
Another common issue that Dodge Stealth owners faced was problems with the car's electronics, including the alarm system. Some owners reported that the alarm would go off whenever it felt like, including while driving down the highway, and the only way to shut the alarm off was to stop the car and shut it off, then get out and turn the key twice in the driver's door.
The computer that controls the alarm is the ETACs unit, located under the driver's side dashboard.
In summary, the Dodge Stealth was a 1990s sports car that boasted impressive performance features but had significant issues with its technology, which made it expensive to maintain and repair. The car's complexity and heavy weight also made it harder to drive, while electronics problems, such as issues with the alarm system, were also common.
How reliable are Dodge Stealths?
super reliable
It has been extraordinarily reliable. We have owned this car for 10 + years and have had to invest less than 300 dollars in it outside of normal maintence (oil, tires, etc). I would Highly recommend this car to someone looking for a SOUND car, with a beautiful exterior BODY, at a GREAT PRICE.
Why was Dodge Stealth discontinued?
Too mitsubishi continued selling the 3000. Gt with its sales of 8 300 units that same year enough to continue exports from japan. The lowest output v6 base engine that once only existed in the base.
Is the Dodge Stealth just a 3000GT?
In North America, it was sold both as the Mitsubishi 3000GT (1991–1999) and the Dodge Stealth (1991–1996), a badge engineered, mechanically identical captive import. As a collaborative effort between Chrysler and Mitsubishi Motors, Chrysler was responsible for the Stealth's exterior styling.
Is a Dodge Stealth fast?
Despite its heavy, grand touring dimensions, the Dodge Stealth R/T was an exceptional performer: the car could reach 60 mph from a standing start in less than five seconds, with the quarter mile flashing by in the mid-13 second range.
How reliable are Dodge Stealths?
super reliable
It has been extraordinarily reliable. We have owned this car for 10 + years and have had to invest less than 300 dollars in it outside of normal maintence (oil, tires, etc). I would Highly recommend this car to someone looking for a SOUND car, with a beautiful exterior BODY, at a GREAT PRICE.
What was special about a Dodge Stealth?
In top form, the twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 was good for 300 horsepower, on par with the era's best. The Mitsubishi 3000GT VR-4 and Dodge Stealth R/T Turbo also came with four-wheel steering, adjustable suspension, and active exhaust that let you change the exhaust note with the touch of a button.
Why was Dodge Stealth discontinued?
Too mitsubishi continued selling the 3000. Gt with its sales of 8 300 units that same year enough to continue exports from japan. The lowest output v6 base engine that once only existed in the base.
Is the 3000GT bad?
Mitsubishi 3000GT common problems
While there are a number of potential issues to watch out for, the 3000GT is a well-built car and if maintained well can provide years of pleasurable motoring. Electronics: electrical faults can lead to hair pulling to the point of baldness.
1997 Dodge Stealth car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Stealth problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Dodge Stealth vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1997 Dodge Stealth complaints
The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Dodge Stealth.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-08-03
- Fire: 1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WHEN DRIVING AT 45 MPH TRANSMISSION WENT OUT, AND THE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE.ALSO, THERE WAS A SHORT WITHIN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED. BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT FROM THE BRAKES, AND A FIRE BROKE OUT DUE TO A SHORT WITHIN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *AK
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Dodge Stealth problems:
What are the common problems on a 94-98 SL? | Mitsubishi 3000GT ...
Jul 18, 2005 ... 1. Auto transmission · 2. 94-96 lifter tick · 3. Manual transmissions are common to grind. · 4. If you get one with ECS it is prone to problems · 5.
Common mechanical issues found in the 3000GT (mainly VR4) ? : r ...
Feb 22, 2020 ... Honestly both generations have pretty strong mechanical components compared to other engines(excluding the 2jz). All VR4s have forged rods ...
Reliability of the 3000gt's? | Mitsubishi 3000GT & Dodge Stealth ...
Dec 4, 2011 ... As for reliability, 3kgt/stealths are pretty reliable to very reliable for the first 100k miles, after that they tend to need a little ...
Dodge Stealth Common Problems: Q&A for 1992, 2003 & '92 Stealth ...
Aug 28, 2012 ... 1992 Dodge stealth sometimes stalls in idle. While driving at a normal pace about 30000 rpms it seems to hiccup - Answered by a verified ...
How reliable is a 3000gt. Is it easy or hard to maintain : r/3000gt
Nov 14, 2022 ... if you don't, take your time to research the common problems ... I bought a 1997 3000gt for $1700. I put in a ... 3000gt and Stealth. A subreddit ...
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