RoadVitals

1989 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.
33
Latest Oct 6, 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.
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 33 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Dodge Colt, most frequently naming the seat belts, driver assistance and exterior lighting categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 4 manufacturer communications are on file.

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 belts2567.6%
  • Driver assistance38.1%
  • Exterior lighting25.4%
  • Suspension25.4%
  • Steering12.7%
  • Engine12.7%
  • Heating & air conditioning12.7%
  • Electrical12.7%

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.

EA96014ClosedEngineering Analysis

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE

Opened Jun 28, 1996
Closed Jun 12, 1997

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS

SEAT BELTSLed to recall 97V063002
PE96007ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE

Opened Jan 19, 1996
Closed Jun 28, 1996

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS

SEAT BELTS
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

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 33
Seat belts
Filed Oct 6, 2000

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SYSTEM HAS LOCKED UP AND WON'T MOVE. IT IS NOT IN THE LATCHED POSITION. *AK

NHTSA ID
733607
Incident
Oct 1, 1998
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 16, 1998

WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

NHTSA ID
820281
Seat belts
Filed Aug 25, 1997

RECALL # 95V103003, CONTACTED DEALER IN JAN OF 97. PART HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR (7) MONTHS. *AK

NHTSA ID
815648
Incident
Aug 25, 1997
Seat belts
Filed Aug 6, 1997

CONTACTED THOMAS DODGE FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN SHIPPED TO THE DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
815109
Seat belts
Filed Jul 14, 1997
Crash reported1 injury reported

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. *AK

NHTSA ID
814114
Incident
Sep 20, 1996
Heating & air conditioningDriver assistanceEngine+2 more
Filed Jun 23, 1997

AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO LEAKING SEALS.

NHTSA ID
519033
Incident
Jul 18, 1996
Brakes
Filed Jun 16, 1997

BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON, CAUSING BATTERY TO DIE.

NHTSA ID
518612
Seat belts
Filed May 27, 1997

THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR IN CLOSED POSITION. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

NHTSA ID
812521
Incident
Oct 10, 1996

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

0800600REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

230800

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

080600

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

233599REVA

STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

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
1989Viewing331351.0
1988251252.7
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.