Seat Belts. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

28 reports

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2003

Tires

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THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN A 5" CHUNK OF TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE AND EXPOSED THE STEEL BELTS IN THE TIRE. THE AIR STARTED TO LEAK OUT. *AK SOME TIME AFTER THE TREAD SEPARATED THE TIRE STARTED TO LOSE AIR. THE TREAD WEAR PATTERN INDICATED THAT THE TIRE MAY HAVE BEEN "SOMEWHAT" UNDER-INFLATED, BUT NOT SERIOUSLY SO AND NOT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE TIRE DEALER REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER WITH THE PROBLEM. THE TIRE MODEL HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. (CORDOVAN GRAND PRIX RADIAL G/T) *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10044237

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2001

Power Train

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HELLO!I PURCHASED THIS 1987 DODGE COLT VISTA WAGON USED IN 1999 AND INITIALLY WHEN PURCHASED THE AUTO/TRANSMISSION FLOATED OUT OF GEAR IN A BUSY AREA AND WOULD NOT MOVE,UNTIL I PLAYED WITH THE LEVER,AND FINALLY IT JUMPED INTO GEAR.IT HAPPENS AT VARIOUS TIMES AND I MUST SIT IN CAR AT AN IDLE AT LEAST 5MINUTES BEFORE TRANSMISSION WILL WORK!SECOND PROBLEM IS MANIFOLD IS LEAKING AND ALSO MOTOR OIL IS LEAKING UNTO MANIFOLD AND CAUSES A LOT OF SMOKE UNDER ENGINE AND OUT THE EXHAUST.I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE RECALLS ALREADY ON SOME MODELS OF THE 1987 DODGE COLT VISTA SW ACCORDING TO ALLDATA.COM.THE WHOLE SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED(MANIFOLD AND EXHAUST) AND THE TRANSMISSION SHOULD BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE CAR WILL FLOAT OUT OF CAR ANYWHERE!!THE EMMISION IS VERY BAD AT THIS TIME DO TO SMOKE FROM CAR!*AK

NHTSA ODI #743602

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2000

Engine And Engine Cooling

CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE THROUGH VENTS CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD OF CARBON MONOXIDE FOR THOSE INSIDE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #719136

Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 1999

Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS. MJS

NHTSA ODI #610318

Mileage unknown · Apr 19, 1999

Power TrainCrash

CONSUMER WAS IN A LIGHT REAR END ACCIDENT, AND AFTER CONTINUOUS DRIVING REAR AXLE BROKE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #836835

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 1997

Seat Belts

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.

NHTSA ODI #521512

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 1997

Seat Belts

RECALL REPAIR NOT PERFORMED ON FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

NHTSA ODI #519274

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 1997

Seat Belts

PLASTIC IN REAR AND CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAD DEGRADED. THIS VARIATION IS CAUSED BY POSSIBLE CONTACT OF SUN RAYS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #815522

Mileage unknown · May 1, 1997

Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

FUEL PUMP LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #516886

Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 1997

Engine And Engine Cooling

HOLE IN EXHAUST PIPE.

NHTSA ODI #514442

Official recalls

95V103003 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

May 24, 1995

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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗