IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, HEARD NOISE, SUDDENLY TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP, LOST VEHICLE POWER, USED MOMENTUM TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD, COULD HAVE CAUSED CRASH, TRANSMISSION REBUILT. *AK
1988 Dodge Colt
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Colt years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Seat Belts. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports
Power Train complaints
2 reports5SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, WHEN PLACED INTO NEUTRAL THE ENGINE RACES AND THE THROTTLE SEEMS STUCK.*AK
Official recalls
195V103003 · 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 ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE94093 · Takata Seat Blt Bckls Fail
Opened Dec 21, 1994 · Closed Aug 2, 1995
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Additional source detail variants (11)
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
Seat Belts
There is no summary currently available
EA92034 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Oct 22, 1992 · Closed Oct 29, 1993
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available