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Research · Subcompact Cars

1996 Dodge StealthRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 1 owner complaint for the 1996 Dodge Stealth. Most complaints involve power train (1). The EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–19mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest May 2002
Owner complaints
1
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported May 14, 2002NHTSA 02V143002
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

1 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2004 – Oct 2004
  1. Power train1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Stealth model year we’ve synced.

Only one model year synced so far.

Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

1 report
“WHILE DRIVING, THE OIL LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER PULLED INTO THE PARKING LOT. THE CONSUMER NOTICED OIL HAD LEAKED OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE OIL GALLEY PLUG NEEDED REPLACEMENT. 671 RECALL NOTICES FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. PLEASE FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2004Power trainODI 10097163
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
3.0L 6-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline · Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Stealth
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, DOHC (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$4,050468
Stealth
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
172219$3,300468
Stealth
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Stealth
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, DOHC (FFS) · Front-Wheel Drive
162218$4,300494
Stealth
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, DOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162218$4,300494
  • Stealth
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, DOHC (FFS)
    17 city · 23 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Stealth
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC (FFS)
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Stealth
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, SOHC (FFS)
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Stealth
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, DOHC (FFS)
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Stealth
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo, DOHC TURBO (FFS,TRBO)
    16 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1996 Dodge Stealth as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

1996 Stealth questions

How many recalls does the 1996 Dodge Stealth have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 1996 Dodge Stealth problems?

Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 1996 Dodge Stealth get?

The EPA rates the 1996 Dodge Stealth at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026