Model year record

1990 Dodge Colt recalls & problems

The 1990 Dodge Colt has 1 safety recall and 12 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is seat belts (10 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints12filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 2reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths2 · 1reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsMay 24, 1995

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 95V103003920,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

1990 Dodge Colt 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Colt

29mpg combined

City / highway	27 / 33 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,300/year to fuel

Colt

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Colt Wagon

27mpg combined

City / highway	24 / 31 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,500/year to fuel

Colt

25mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Colt Wagon

25mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,700/year to fuel

Colt

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Colt

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Colt Wagon 4WD

23mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

Colt Vista

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Colt Vista

20mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 3-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel

Colt Vista 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly	10	1	1	2	—
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Wiring › Front underhood	2	0	2	0	—
StructureBody › Door	1	0	0	0	—
Vehicle speed control	1	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Vehicle speed control
VEHICLE WAS IDLING HIGH THEN SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CROSS THE ROAD, FLY INTO THE AIR AND FLIP 2 1/2 TIMES LANDING ON THE HOOD. NLM
Sep 30, 1991
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhoodFire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND LOOKED OUTSIDE AND THE VEHICLE WAS BURNED UP. OWNER THINKS THAT THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. ALSO OWNER STATES THAT WHEN THE DOOR IS SHUT THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT OPENS AND CLOSES WHICH CAUSES THE DRIVER TO BE INSECURE IN THE SEAT.CAN CAUSE A SAFETY CONCERN. UNDER RECAL 95V102003. *AK
Jul 25, 1997
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCrash1 injury
CONSUMER'S BROTHER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE, AND HAD A HEAD-ON COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. AT TIME OF CRASH DRIVER WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELTS, THE SHOULDER BELT HAD TO BE CUT OFF OF OCCUPANT, AND THE LAP BELT DETACHED ITSELF DURING IMPACT. *AK
Apr 12, 1997
Seat belts
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RETRACT TO ITS STARTING POSITION, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS OFF.
Dec 15, 1994
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
INTERMITTENT SHOULDER BELT FAILURE; PASSENGER SIDE SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT CLOSE/LOCK UP AS DESIGNED, PASSENGER NOT PROPERLY RESTRAINED.*AK
Jul 15, 1994
Seat belts
MOTORBELT FAILED. *SD
Jul 1, 1994
Electrical system › Ignition › SwitchFire
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH
Mar 1, 1996
Seat belts
THE FRONT AUTOMATIC RESTRAINT SYSTEM HAS FAILED. IT WILL ONLY RETRACT HALF WAY OR IT WILL NOT WORK AT ALL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
Mar 24, 1996

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUPClosedLed to recall 98V069001
EA98002 · opened Jan 30, 1998 · closed Apr 30, 1998
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILUREClosedLed to recall 97V063002
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS
EA96014 · opened Jun 28, 1996 · closed Jun 12, 1997
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILUREClosed
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS
PE96007 · opened Jan 19, 1996 · closed Jun 28, 1996
TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAILClosedLed to recall 95V103001
There is no summary currently available
PE94093 · opened Dec 21, 1994 · closed Aug 2, 1995