AI Damage1986 Dodge Colt Vista: common problems
Owners of the 1986 Dodge Colt Vista filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and engine and cooling. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 50% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 25% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel system 25% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 25% of all complaints
- Structure: 2 complaints (50% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Fuel system: 1 complaints (25% of all).
- Seat belts: 1 complaints (25% of all).
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
While driving highway at 55 mph, car completely stopped. Oil/water/ anti-freeze was all over the street, and a hole in the engine. Dealer contacted and stated that it was the engine. The engine was replaced, and still smoke comes out of the engine.
Rust has weakened under carriage which seat belt anchorage is atttached. Please describe details. Tt
The rear wheel well has a water leak in it and gets on to the seat belts which makes them not work. Tt
Mfr recall no 324t. Replacement of solenoid in top part of carburetor, left a part of fuel nozzle in carburetor. Owner has defective components. Tt
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 15,524 of 36,659 model years in the NHTSA data (top 42% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Colt Vista has 2 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 4, above average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Dodge Colt Vista?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, engine and cooling, fuel system. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: seat belts (50%), rust, corrosion (25%), smoke, burning smell, fire (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1986 Dodge Colt Vista?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1986 Dodge Colt Vista from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1986 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-06.