RoadVitals

1993 Dodge Colt Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
107
Latest Jan 31, 2012
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
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.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1993 Dodge Colt, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Seat belts9584.1%
  • Transmission54.4%
  • Interior & seats43.5%
  • Body & structure32.7%
  • Visibility21.8%
  • Engine10.9%
  • Electrical10.9%
  • Steering10.9%
  • Brakes10.9%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

95
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE COLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT CABLE WAS CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,194 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ID 10446063 · filed Jan 31, 2012

THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEAT BELTS FOR MY 1993 DODGE COLT IN 1997. I HAD THEM FIXED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, BUT THEY FAILED AGAIN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS AN AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SLIDE FOR THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON BOTH FRONT SEATS AND IT DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE. I AM AFRAID TO USE MY CAR, AFRAID WE'LL DIE IN A CRASH. PLEASE GET THE MANUFACTURER TO RECALL THIS AGAIN OR AT LEAST ALLOW ME ANOTHER "FIX" SO THAT WE CAN BE SAFE. TIA. *NM

NHTSA ID 10157541 · filed May 15, 2006
All 95 reports naming seat belts →

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED! BEARINGS WERE ALL PITTED & LOPSIDED. GARAGE ATTEMPTED TO GET A USED REPLACEMENT WITHOUT SUCCESS. SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS TOLD ME THAT THEY THINK EVERY ONE MADE HAS FAILED? I COULDN'T GET A USED REPLACEMENT WITHIN A 100 MILE RADIUS! I FINALLY GOT A SHOP TO INSTALL A REBUILD KIT AT A TOTAL COST OF APROX $900. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE ARE NO OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS TRANS FROM WHAT I HEARD TRYING TO GET MINE REPAIRE.*AK

NHTSA ID 763511 · filed Jun 26, 2002

DODGE RE-CALLED THIS CAR IN 1995 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID HOSE, BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID 738640 · filed Jan 2, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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. *AK

NHTSA ID 842524 · filed Jul 16, 1999

EXPERIENCING NO MOVEMENT OF BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT CONNECTORS WHEN THE VEHICLE DOORS ARE SHUT. HOWEVER THE SEAT BELT MOTOR BURNT UP, CAUSING FAILURE, PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE (97V073). *YC

NHTSA ID 545471 · filed May 10, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ROOF STRUTS IN VEHICLE WERE RUSTED AND REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP IN SUMMER OF 1999. TWO YEARS LATER, STRUTS WERE RUSTING AGAIN. DEALERSHIP WAS REFUSING TO ASSIST CONSUMER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

NHTSA ID 892073 · filed Jul 6, 2001

RECALL 97 V 073 002/DRIVER'S SIDE GUIDE RAIL: DRIVER'S SIDE PASSIVE RESTRAINT BELT WOULD INTERMITTENTLY STAY IN FORWARD POSITION, AND NOT SECURE OCCUPANT. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER THIS VEHICLE NOT COVER UNDER RECALL DUE TO VIN. *AK THE DEALER DAMAGED THE DOOR IN THE PROCESS OF REPLACING THE SEAT BELT. THE SEAT BELT STILL DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. *YH

NHTSA ID 888779 · filed May 21, 2001

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

RADIATOR FAILED.

NHTSA ID 524249 · filed Nov 4, 1997

FILM ON WINDSHIELD, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY. *SD

NHTSA ID 487431 · filed Sep 21, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

RADIATOR FAILED.

NHTSA ID 524249 · filed Nov 4, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION .*AK CONSUMER STATES THE KEY REMAINS IN THE IGNITION AFTER THE SHIFT LOCK IN ENGAGED AND IS IN THE PARK POSITION, CONSUMER HAS HAD TO REMOVE THE BATTERY ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS TO AVOID HAVING VEHICLE STOLEN. *SLC

NHTSA ID 805260 · filed Nov 19, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE POWER STEERING PULLEY SHEARED OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE COMPLETE POWER STEERING ABILITY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID 816938 · filed Oct 7, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

STATED THAT BRAKES HAVE PROBLEM. TT

NHTSA ID 964664 · filed May 2, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .