1995 DODGE STEALTH

Typical onset: 80,000-130,000 mi

Symptoms: Severe knocking from bottom end, Loss of oil pressure, Metal shavings in oil, Catastrophic engine seizure

Fix: The 6G72TT engine is notorious for bearing failures, often from deferred oil changes or boost abuse. Repair requires full engine-out teardown, crankshaft machining or replacement, new bearings, and typically new pistons/rings while you're in there. Engine removal in this chassis takes 12-16 hours alone due to AWD transaxle complexity. Total rebuild: 35-45 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $6,500-12,000

Typical onset: 90,000-140,000 mi

Symptoms: Grinding or howling from center of car, Binding in tight turns, AWD warning light, Inability to shift into gear

Fix: The transaxle-mounted transfer case develops bearing wear and viscous coupling failures. This is an engine-out repair requiring transaxle removal and internal rebuild or replacement. Used units are scarce; new Mitsubishi parts are discontinued. Expect 18-24 hours labor if combining with clutch work.

Estimated cost: $3,500-6,000

Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi

Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, Coolant loss with no visible leaks, Overheating, Milky oil, Cross-bank coolant transfer on DOHC

Fix: Both SOHC and DOHC 6G72 engines use problematic dual-layer head gaskets that fail between cylinders or into coolant passages. Requires both heads off, resurfacing, new gaskets, timing belt service while accessible. DOHC is worse—cramped bay means 20-28 hours labor. SOHC is 16-22 hours.

Estimated cost: $2,800-4,500

Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi

Symptoms: ATF puddles under engine, Transmission overheating, Burnt ATF smell, Slipping gears after warmup

Fix: Steel hard lines rust through and the cooler itself develops pinhole leaks. Lines run tight against the block—requires subframe work and partial exhaust removal for access. If ATF contaminated the coolant system (or vice versa), both the radiator and transmission may need replacement. 6-10 hours labor depending on extent.

Estimated cost: $800-2,200

Symptoms: Active aero spoiler stuck up or down, ECS warning light, Suspension stuck in one mode, No damping adjustment

Fix: The electronic control modules for active aero and ECS (electronically controlled suspension) fail due to capacitor aging and corrosion. Replacement modules are NLA from Mitsubishi; used units are hit-or-miss. Many owners bypass the system or convert to fixed suspension. Diagnosis: 1-2 hours; replacement if available: 2-4 hours.

Estimated cost: $500-1,500

Typical onset: 80,000-120,000 mi

Symptoms: No-start or hard start when hot, Stumbling under boost (TT), Fuel starvation at sustained high RPM, Check engine light with lean codes

Fix: The in-tank fuel pump fails or the integral sock filter clogs. Tank must be dropped—tight fit in AWD models with full exhaust over the tank. Common to replace pump, filter assembly, and associated fuel lines while in there. 4-6 hours labor.

Estimated cost: $600-1,200

Typical onset: 50,000+ mi

Symptoms: Valve train ticking on cold start, Noise persists after warmup on neglected engines, Occasionally progresses to lifter collapse

Fix: DOHC 6G72 uses hydraulic lash adjusters that wear and stick. Requires valve cover removal and lifter replacement—tedious due to four cams. Often done during head gasket jobs. Standalone repair: 8-12 hours labor for all 24 lifters.

Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000