Dodge Colt Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 276 consumer complaints across the 9 model years of the Dodge Colt (1986–1994) that have at least 5 complaints. 1993 has the most, with 107. Across all years, the part named most often is seat belts (206 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Colt model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 18 | 1,000 | 0 | 1 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 107 | 108,000 | 2 | 1 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 14 | — | 2 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 17 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 12 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 33 | — | 1 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 25 | — | 1 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 28 | — | 1 | 0 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 22 | — | 1 | 0 | — | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Seat belts206 77%
- Transmission and drivetrain15 5.6%
- Engine cooling13 4.8%
- Electrical system9 3.3%
- Seats7 2.6%
- Brakes7 2.6%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)6 2.2%
- Suspension6 2.2%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
1993: “There was a recall on the seat belts for my 1993 Dodge COLT in 1997. I had them fixed according to the recall, but they failed again a couple of years ago. Same problem. There is an automatic seat belt slide for the shoulder harness on both front seats and it does not work. This is incredibly dangerous and unacceptable. I am afraid to use my car, afraid we'll die in a crash. Please get the manufacturer to recall this again or at least allow me another fix so that we can be safe. Tia.”
NHTSA complaint #10157541, filed 2006-05, 108,000 miles1992: “Harmonic balancer bolt backed out - was advised it was manufacture defect but because it was out of warranty it would not be covered - was advised that if they had to cover every manufacture defect that was out of warranty that they would go broke - I had to replace the engine with a '93 engine (compatible w/ my '92) which had 30,000 miles on it, 35,000 miles after installing the engine, the harmonic balancer bolt backed out again, causing the engine to seize up. I will never buy a chrysler product again!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #721614, filed 2000-041988: “I would like to know if there were any recalls for this tire in 1998. The tires were only two months old when the back passenger side tire came off the rim and caused me to spin into a guardrail. There was nothing in the road to cause the accident. It was reported as a blow out but the tire itself was not damaged, it came off the rim. I need to know if I have a valid complaint to take to the manufacturer or if they are not liable for this product once it is sold to the tire dealer. The company name I gave, avellino's, is the tire dealer. …”
NHTSA complaint #702194, filed 1999-01Other Dodge models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology