RoadVitals

1988 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.
25
Latest Apr 17, 2000
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.
2
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 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Dodge Colt, most frequently naming the seat belts, transmission and driver assistance categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 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 belts2177.8%
  • Transmission27.4%
  • Driver assistance13.7%
  • Fuel system13.7%
  • Interior & seats13.7%
  • Tires & wheels13.7%

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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 25
Seat belts
Filed Apr 17, 2000

SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE AND THE LATCH WILL NOT CATCH IN THE BUCKLE

NHTSA ID
9000500
Incident
Dec 1, 1999
Tires & wheels
Filed Jan 13, 1999

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS FOR THIS TIRE IN 1998. THE TIRES WERE ONLY TWO MONTHS OLD WHEN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE TIRE CAME OFF THE RIM AND CAUSED ME TO SPIN INTO A GUARDRAIL. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE ROAD TO CAUSE THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS REPORTED AS A BLOW OUT BUT THE TIRE ITSELF WAS NOT DAMAGED, IT CAME OFF THE RIM. I NEED TO KNOW IF I HAVE A VALID COMPLAINT TO TAKE TO THE MANUFACTURER OR IF THEY ARE NOT LIABLE FOR THIS PRODUCT ONCE IT IS SOLD TO THE TIRE DEALER. THE COMPANY NAME I GAVE, AVELLINO'S, IS THE TIRE DEALER. I WILL BE SPEAKING WITH THEM TOMORROW ABOUT THE TIRES BUT WILL KEEP THE FAULTY TIRE FOR EVIDENCE. IF YOU HAVE ANY INFORMATION THAT MIGHT HELP ME PLEASE SEND IT TO MY EMAIL ADDRESS. THANK YOU.( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 165/80R13 )

NHTSA ID
702194
Seat belts
Filed Jun 19, 1998

RECALL 95V103003, SEAT BELT BUCKLES. IT HAS BEEN APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS SINCE CONSUMER HAS BEEN TRYING TO GET THE VEHICLE'S PROBLEM REMEDIED. THUS FAR, THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER KEEP TELLING HER THAT THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. SHE HAS COMPLETED ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION CONCERNING THIS MATTER, AND HAS NO REMAINING INFORMATION ON THE RECALL THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY SENT TO HER. *AK

NHTSA ID
824487
Incident
Jun 19, 1998
Transmission
Filed Apr 9, 1997

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, HEARD NOISE, SUDDENLY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, LOST VEHICLE POWER, USED MOMENTUM TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD, COULD HAVE CAUSED CRASH, TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *AK

NHTSA ID
810021
Incident
Jan 1, 1996
Fuel system
Filed Jan 2, 1997
Fire reported

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE FUEL LINE SYSTEM. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

NHTSA ID
806951
Incident
Dec 31, 1996
Seat belts
Filed Nov 19, 1996

CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR PARTS SINCE AUGUST. LEFT NOTICE WITH DEALER. DEALER HAS NO RECORD OF THIS AND CANNOT REPLACE BUCKLE WITHOUT REMOVING HARNESS, DOESN'T KNOW IF MANUFACTURER WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PAYMENT. *AK

NHTSA ID
805311
Seat belts
Filed Sep 18, 1996

RECEIVED 1ST RECALL NOTICE IN FEB AND 2ND RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST CONCENING SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL REPAIRS. DEALER STILL DOES NOT HAVE PARTS IN STOCK. DEALER DID NOT SAY THAT HE WOULD ORDER THE PARTS. (95V-103.003). *AK

NHTSA ID
801142
Incident
Aug 21, 1996
Driver assistanceTransmission
Filed Aug 7, 1996

5SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, WHEN PLACED INTO NEUTRAL THE ENGINE RACES AND THE THROTTLE SEEMS STUCK.*AK

NHTSA ID
800597
Incident
Aug 7, 1996

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
1988Viewing251252.7
1987281353.8
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.