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Dodge Colt Problems, Recalls and MPG by Year

What this means

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns across the Dodge Colt, 1982–1996. Owners have filed 281 complaints with NHTSA. Of the last 13 model years with settled counts, the 1993 drew the most (107) and the 1982 the fewest (1).

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026

Dodge Colt complaints by model year

281 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Red numbers above the columns are recall campaigns for that model year.

1982198419851986198719881989199019911992199319941996
ComplaintsStill collecting reports3Recall campaigns

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fewest complaints

  • 1982 · 1 complaints
  • 1984 · 1 complaints
  • 1985 · 1 complaints

Most complaints

  • 1993 · 107 complaints
  • 1989 · 33 complaints
  • 1987 · 28 complaints

Among the last 15 model years at least five years old; newer years are left out because owners are still filing reports. Every year compared →

Problem areas by model year

Complaints that name each component, 1986–1996. Darker cells mean more reports. One complaint can name several components.

Dodge Colt owner complaints by component and model year (NHTSA ODI)
Component1986198719881989199019911992199319941996
Seat belts 211721259979521
Power train 0420001530
Engine and engine cooling 1501022111
Electrical system 0101220120
Service brakes 0100010140
Seats 0010010410
Fuel system 1110010020
Suspension 0102001020

Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Dodge Colt recalls (3)

Recall campaigns NHTSA lists for at least one Colt model year, newest first.

NHTSA recall campaigns for the Dodge Colt
CampaignFiledWhatModel yearsRepaired
97V063002May 12, 1997CHRYSLER/DOOR LATCH1992, 1993—
97V073002May 12, 1997CHRYSLER/DRIVER'S SIDE GUIDE RAIL1992, 1993—
95V103003May 24, 1995INTERIOR SYSTEMS:ACTIVE RESTRAINTS:BELT BUCKLES1986–1991—

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. Open a model-year page for each campaign's official text, or check your VIN on NHTSA.

Check on NHTSA ↗

Fuel economy by model year

198422–34 mpg
198519–34 mpg
198619–33 mpg
198719–31 mpg
198821–31 mpg
198919–30 mpg
199019–29 mpg
199119–29 mpg
199226–29 mpg
199326–31 mpg
199426–31 mpg

EPA combined mpg range across engine and transmission configurations. Your mileage will vary. Source: EPA, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Where to next

Dodge Colt FAQ

How many recalls has the Dodge Colt had?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns that cover at least one Dodge Colt model year from 1982 to 1996. Each campaign card on the model-year pages has NHTSA's official text and the repair completion rate. Only NHTSA's VIN lookup can tell you whether a specific car was repaired.

Which Dodge Colt year has the most complaints?

Among the last 13 model years with settled counts, the 1993 drew the most owner complaints filed with NHTSA (107) and the 1982 the fewest (1). Counts are owner reports, not failure rates, and sales volume affects them.

What are the most common Dodge Colt problems?

Across the 1986–1996 model years, owners most often name the seat belts, power train, engine and engine cooling in complaints filed with NHTSA.

What mpg does the Dodge Colt get?

EPA rates the 1994 Dodge Colt at 26 to 31 mpg combined, depending on engine and transmission.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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