AI DamageDodge Colt: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Dodge Colt across 14 model years: 286 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Seat belts 74% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 5% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 5% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 3% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 2% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 2% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel system 2% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 2% of all complaints
- Seat belts: 212 complaints (74% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine and cooling: 15 complaints (5% of all).
- Powertrain: 15 complaints (5% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 10 complaints (3% of all).
- Seats: 7 complaints (2% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984
- 1.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1985–1994
- 1.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1990
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 1984–1989
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1989–1994
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1991
- automatic, 3-speed 1984–1994
- automatic, 4-speed 1990–1994
- manual, 4-speed 1984–1992named in 1 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 1984–1994named in 1 complaints
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 286 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 212 | 7 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 15 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 2 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Air bag deployment while traveling on the street at 35 mph. No pothole or bump. Vehicle was rolled over at the time of air bag deployment. Dealer notified.
While driving driver's seat disengaged from the position that it wa s suppose to be locked in; it snapped and slid to the rear. It has caused an accident, only damaging the vehicle. Dealer has been contacted.
Consumer was in a light rear end accident, and after continuous driving rear axle broke. Dealer has not been contacted.
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.
Consumer's daughter was involved in an accident and the driver's side air bag deployed, causing serious burns to the stomach area, and shirt was also burned. Please describe details.
At time of crash driver was wearing his seat belts, the shoulder belt had to be cut off of occupant, and the lap belt detached itself during impact.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other models of this make
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 2026-11-05.