1990 Dodge Colt Problems
- Complaints
- 12filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- —no mileage reported
- Recalls
- 1campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 1.5L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 27 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 1990 Dodge Colt (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1990 Dodge Colt. The part named most often is seat belts, with 9 complaints (75% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and body and structure (1). Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 2 a fire, 2 an injury, 1 a death, 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.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
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 belts9 75%
- Electrical system2 17%
- Body and structure1 8.3%
- Vehicle speed control1 8.3%
Example complaints
Seat belts: “Vehicle was parked and looked outside and the vehicle was burned up. Owner thinks that the fire started under the hood. Also owner states that when the door is shut the automatic shoulder belt opens and closes which causes the driver to be insecure in the seat.can cause a safety concern. Under recal 95v102003.”
NHTSA complaint #814645, filed 1997-07Vehicle speed control: “Vehicle was idling high then suddenly accelerated causing the vehicle to cross the road, fly into the air and flip 2 1/2 times landing on the hood. Nlm”
NHTSA complaint #554232, filed 2000-08Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 1990 Dodge Colt. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colt · sedan | not rated | – / 4 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 1990 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 | 27 | 33 | 29 | $2,300 |
| Colt FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Colt FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 27 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Colt FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Colt FWD | 1.6L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 26 | 23 | $2,900 |
| Colt Vista FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 20 | 27 | 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 | 24 | 31 | 27 | $2,500 |
| Colt Wagon FWD | 1.5L 4-cyl | 3-speed automatic | 23 | 26 | 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 1990 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 1990 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 1990 Dodge Colt have?
NHTSA recorded 12 consumer complaints for the 1990 Dodge Colt as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 1990 Dodge Colt is reported most often?
Seat belts is named most often, in 9 complaints (75% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.
Has the 1990 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 1990 Dodge Colt get?
The EPA rates the 1990 Dodge Colt (Colt, 1.5L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 27 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. 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.