1989 Dodge Colt Problems
- Complaints
- 33filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 26 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 24 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1989 Dodge Colt (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1989 Dodge Colt. The part named most often is seat belts, with 25 complaints (76% of the total), followed by exterior lighting (3) and vehicle speed control (3). Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 0 technical service bulletins for this model year. Seat belts complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the buckle assembly and 3 NHTSA investigations filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Seat belts25 76%
- Exterior lighting3 9.1%
- Vehicle speed control3 9.1%
- Suspension2 6.1%
- Electrical system1 3.0%
- Engine cooling1 3.0%
- Equipment1 3.0%
- Steering1 3.0%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Consumer was driving about 45 MPH and was involved in an accident, and the seat belts on the driver's side did not catch. The shoulder belt went forward with owner and the lap belt broke. Manufacturer was contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #814114, filed 1997-07Suspension: “While driving steering wheel jerks in either direction, to correct has replaced two tires and rotated tires, dlr indicates may be suspension problem, not fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #807724, filed 1997-01Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1989 Dodge Colt version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colt FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 4-speed manual | 28 | 35 | 30 | $2,250 |
| Colt FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Colt FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 24 | 28 | 26 | $2,600 |
| Colt FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 27 | 23 | $3,550 |
| Colt Vista FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Colt Vista FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,350 |
| Colt Vista 4WD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Colt Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 26 | 32 | 28 | $2,400 |
| Colt Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 27 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Colt Wagon 4WD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 95V103003May 24, 1995Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Dodge Colt 1986–1991, RAM 50 1986–1991, Power RAM 50 1986–1991 +7 more
The front safety belt buckle release buttons can break. These red plastic release buttons are marked "press." if a button breaks, pieces can fall into the buckle assembly causing the buckle to operate improperly.
Recall details for the 1989 Dodge Colt → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
NHTSA investigations
- EA96014Automatic shoulder belt failureClosed · Jun 28, 1996
- PE96007Auto shoulder belt failureClosed · Jan 19, 1996
- PE94093Takata seat blt bckls failClosed · Dec 21, 1994
Technical service bulletins
No technical service bulletins are on record for the 1989 Dodge Colt.
Other model years of the Dodge Colt
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 18 | 1,000 | 0 | — | 26 | — | Stable |
| 1993 | 107 | 108,000 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 14 | — | 2 | — | 28 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 17 | — | 1 | — | 28 | — | Stable |
| 1990 | 12 | — | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 33 | — | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 25 | — | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 28 | — | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 22 | — | 1 | — | 27 | — | Stable |
All Dodge Colt model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 1989 Dodge Colt have?
NHTSA recorded 33 consumer complaints for the 1989 Dodge Colt as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1989 Dodge Colt is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 25 complaints (76% of the total), followed by exterior lighting with 3.
Has the 1989 Dodge Colt been recalled?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 1989 Dodge Colt get?
The EPA rates the 1989 Dodge Colt (Colt, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 26 mpg combined, 24 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,600 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.