The Dodge Colt has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns on record covering 1982–1993. On average a defect was admitted 8.83 years after the car was built, the slowest took 25 years. The most recalled system is Seat Belts (2 campaigns). Owners also filed 205 complaints on this model — see what breaks.
What was recalled on the Dodge Colt
Grouped by system. Open any row for the campaigns themselves — what failed, what it risks and how the dealer fixes it, straight from the NHTSA filing.
Seat Belts 2 Read
What's wrong. The guide rail on the driver's side contains a covered cable and also an angled belt guide at the top end of the webbing. The combination of these factors can lead, over time, to the cable's movement exerting abrading force to the lower edges of the cable's chamber, sufficient to cause the cable to drop out of the chamber with the shoulder belt anchorage becoming stuck
Risk. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained
Fix. Dealers will install a new replacement guide rail that incorporates a double lip dust seal and an anodic oxide coating
What's wrong. The guide rail on the driver's side contains a covered cable and also an angled belt guide at the top end of the webbing. The combination of these factors can lead, over time, to the cable's movement exerting abrading force to the lower edges of the cable's chamber, sufficient to cause the cable to drop out of the chamber with the shoulder belt anchorage becoming stuck
Risk. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained
Fix. Dealers will install a new replacement guide rail that incorporates a double lip dust seal and an anodic oxide coating
What's wrong. 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…
Latches/locks/linkages 1 Read
What's wrong. Excess lubrication can cause the rubber door latch switch cover to deform, and the door latch switch to malfunction, so that the shoulder belt anchorage would remain at the a-pillar when the door was closed
Risk. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained
Fix. Dealers will replace the door latch switch with a switch that utilizes reduced lubricating grease, improved contact surface, and a different rubber isolation boot
What's wrong. Excess lubrication can cause the rubber door latch switch cover to deform, and the door latch switch to malfunction, so that the shoulder belt anchorage would remain at the a-pillar when the door was closed
Risk. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained
Fix. Dealers will replace the door latch switch with a switch that utilizes reduced lubricating grease, improved contact surface, and a different rubber isolation boot
Fuel System, Gasoline 1 Read
What's wrong. Certain federal-mogul aftermarket fuel pumps sold under the brand names of carter, accuflow, napa, truflow, parts depo, and parts master, shipped between august 2006 and july 2007 for use on the vehicles listed above. The fuel pump diaphragm in certain production runs may have been improperly installed or inadequately tested which may cause the fuel pump to leak
Risk. A leaking fuel pump could create a vehicle fire hazard
Fix. Federal-mogul will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on october 15, 2007. Owners can contact federal-mogul at 248-354-7700
What's wrong. Certain federal-mogul aftermarket fuel pumps sold under the brand names of carter, accuflow, napa, truflow, parts depo, and parts master, shipped between august 2006 and july 2007 for use on the vehicles listed above. The fuel pump diaphragm in certain production runs may have been improperly installed or inadequately tested which may cause the fuel pump to leak
Risk. A leaking fuel pump could create a vehicle fire hazard
Fix. Federal-mogul will notify owners and replace the defective fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on october 15, 2007. Owners can contact federal-mogul at 248-354-7700
How long a defect stays unadmitted
Campaign numbers encode the year of the announcement, so each recall on this model can be dated against the car it applies to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average gap before admission | 8.83 years |
| Slowest campaign | 25 years |
| Admitted 5+ years later | 75% |
| Campaigns on record | 4 |
Which Colt years were recalled most
Campaigns per model year. A year with more campaigns is not automatically worse — it may simply have sold in far greater numbers.
| Model year | Campaigns | Most recalled system |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Latches/locks/linkages | |
| 1992 | Latches/locks/linkages | |
| 1991 | Seat Belts | |
| 1990 | Seat Belts | |
| 1989 | Seat Belts | |
| 1988 | Seat Belts | |
| 1987 | Seat Belts | |
| 1986 | Seat Belts | |
| 1983 | Fuel System, Gasoline | |
| 1982 | Fuel System, Gasoline |
Check your own car
A campaign applies to a range of production, not to every car of the model. The only way to know whether yours is affected — and whether the repair was already done — is by VIN.
| Step | What you get |
|---|---|
| Enter the VIN above | Open campaigns for that exact vehicle, straight from NHTSA |
| Check the repair status | Whether the free fix has already been carried out on this car |
| Book at any franchised dealer | Recall work is free regardless of age, mileage or owner |
Go deeper
A campaign covers a production range. Yours is one car.
- Check whether this exact VIN is affected — and whether the fix was done
- Alerts if a new campaign lands on a car in your garage
- Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
- Decode a whole list of VINs at once
- No ads, on every page
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the Dodge Colt have?
4 NHTSA campaigns on record, covering 1982–1993. Not every campaign applies to every car — coverage is by production range, so check your VIN.
Is recall work free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer regardless of the car's age, mileage or how many owners it has had. That is a federal requirement, not a courtesy.
How do I know if my Colt still has an open recall?
Enter its VIN above. We show campaigns that apply to that exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been recorded as done.
Why did a defect take years to be recalled?
On this model the average gap between the car being built and the defect being admitted is 8.83 years, and the slowest campaign came 25 years later. Defects usually surface as they accumulate in the field: complaints pile up, an investigation opens, and only then is a campaign issued.