RoadVitals

1987 Dodge Colt

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
28
Latest Dec 2, 2003
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest May 24, 1995
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
3
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 28 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1987 Dodge Colt, most frequently naming the seat belts, engine and visibility categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 3 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Seat belts1747.2%
  • Engine513.9%
  • Visibility38.3%
  • Transmission38.3%
  • Powertrain (other)25.6%
  • Brakes12.8%
  • Fuel system12.8%
  • Suspension12.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
95V103003

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

May 24, 1995
920,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES ARE OPERATING PROPERLY BY INSERTING EACH LATCH PLATE INTO ITS BUCKLE, TUGGING ON THE BELT TO MAKE SURE THE LATCH IS SECURELY LOCKED, AND THEN PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTON. THE LATCH PLATE SHOULD POP OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN THE BUTTON IS PRESSED. IF EITHER RELEASE BUTTON SHOWS A SIGN OF BREAKING OR CRACKING OR IF EITHER BUCKLE FAILS TO OPERATE PROPERLY, OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CONTACT THEIR AUTHORIZED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE BUCKLE REPLACED OR REPAIRED, FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER IS DEVELOPING A REMEDY DESIGNED TO PREVENT FAILURE OF THE BUTTONS THAT ARE NOT CURRENTLY BROKEN.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE94093ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL

Opened Dec 21, 1994
Closed Aug 2, 1995

There is no summary currently available

SEAT BELTSLed to recall 95V103001
EA92034ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Oct 22, 1992
Closed Oct 29, 1993

There is no summary currently available

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
PE91138ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

REAR BUMPER COVER FIRES

Opened Oct 14, 1991
Closed Jan 21, 1992

There is no summary currently available

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:LINKAGES

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 28
Tires & wheels
Filed Dec 2, 2003

THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN A 5" CHUNK OF TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE AND EXPOSED THE STEEL BELTS IN THE TIRE. THE AIR STARTED TO LEAK OUT. *AK SOME TIME AFTER THE TREAD SEPARATED THE TIRE STARTED TO LOSE AIR. THE TREAD WEAR PATTERN INDICATED THAT THE TIRE MAY HAVE BEEN "SOMEWHAT" UNDER-INFLATED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY SO AND NOT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE TIRE DEALER REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER WITH THE PROBLEM. THE TIRE MODEL HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. (CORDOVAN GRAND PRIX RADIAL G/T) *SCC *JB

NHTSA ID
10044237
Incident
Oct 10, 2003
Transmission
Filed Apr 6, 2001

HELLO!I PURCHASED THIS 1987 DODGE COLT VISTA WAGON USED IN 1999 AND INITIALLY WHEN PURCHASED THE AUTO/TRANSMISSION FLOATED OUT OF GEAR IN A BUSY AREA AND WOULD NOT MOVE,UNTIL I PLAYED WITH THE LEVER,AND FINALLY IT JUMPED INTO GEAR.IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES AND I MUST SIT IN CAR AT AN IDLE AT LEAST 5MINUTES BEFORE TRANSMISSION WILL WORK!SECOND PROBLEM IS MANIFOLD IS LEAKING AND ALSO MOTOR OIL IS LEAKING UNTO MANIFOLD AND CAUSES A LOT OF SMOKE UNDER ENGINE AND OUT THE EXHAUST.I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE RECALLS ALREADY ON SOME MODELS OF THE 1987 DODGE COLT VISTA SW ACCORDING TO ALLDATA.COM.THE WHOLE SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED(MANIFOLD AND EXHAUST) AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CAR WILL FLOAT OUT OF CAR ANYWHERE!!THE EMMISION IS VERY BAD AT THIS TIME DO TO SMOKE FROM CAR!*AK

NHTSA ID
743602
Incident
Jun 12, 1999
Engine
Filed Feb 23, 2000

CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE THROUGH VENTS CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD OF CARBON MONOXIDE FOR THOSE INSIDE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
719136
Incident
Feb 1, 2000
Heating & air conditioningEngine
Filed Oct 29, 1999

AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS. MJS

NHTSA ID
610318
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 19, 1999
Crash reported

CONSUMER WAS IN A LIGHT REAR END ACCIDENT, AND AFTER CONTINUOUS DRIVING REAR AXLE BROKE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
836835
Seat belts
Filed Aug 26, 1997

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.

NHTSA ID
521512
Seat belts
Filed Aug 21, 1997

RECALL REPAIR NOT PERFORMED ON FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

NHTSA ID
519274
Incident
Jan 31, 1997
Seat belts
Filed Aug 20, 1997

PLASTIC IN REAR AND CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAD DEGRADED. THIS VARIATION IS CAUSED BY POSSIBLE CONTACT OF SUN RAYS. *AK

NHTSA ID
815522
Incident
Aug 20, 1993

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Colt by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1996200—
1995001—
1994180346.3
19931072358.5
1992142245.8
1991171352.4
1990121461.7
1989331351.0
1988251252.7
1987Viewing281353.8
1986221450.8
1985101—
1984110—
1983010—
1982110—
1980010—
1979001—
1978031—
1977021—
1976010—
1971030—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.