The most-reported Colt run is JB3CA11A2PU (1993 builds) with 5 complaints, 4.2× the typical run. Seat belts problems make up 77% of reports; 1993 is the worst model year at 1.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for Colt model years 1982–1993.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Dodge Colt has 171 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 9% of every Colt complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JB3CA11A2PU•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| JB3CA21AXPU•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| JP3CA11A5PU•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| JB3CU24X0KU•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| JB3CA11A9PU•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| JB3CA11A4PU•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| JB3CA11A5PU•••••• | 1993 | 1 | — | |
| JB3CA11A1PU•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| JB3CA11AXPU•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| JB3CU24X7KU•••••• | 1989 | — | — | |
| JB3CA46C9PU•••••• | 1993 | — | — | |
| JB3CA11A7PU•••••• | 1993 | — | — |
Each of the other 159 Colt runs has 2 complaints or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Dodge Colt the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 1993 car draws 1.5 complaints per run, a 1986 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 13 | 11 | 2 | |
| 1993 | 80 | 55 | 2 | |
| 1992 | 7 | 6 | — | |
| 1991 | 11 | 11 | 1 | |
| 1990 | 9 | 9 | 1 | |
| 1989 | 26 | 22 | 1 | |
| 1988 | 20 | 19 | 1 | |
| 1987 | 21 | 20 | — | |
| 1986 | 17 | 17 | — |
Heaviest year here is 1993 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 1986 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 77% of everything Dodge Colt owners report: Seat Belts, 150 of 205 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 3 | — | |
| Power Train | — | — | |
| Service Brakes | 3 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 3 | — | |
| Electrical System | — | 2 | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 4 recall campaigns on the Dodge Colt; the 4 below cover build years 1982 to 1993. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 95V103003 | Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly | 1986–1991 |
| 97V073002 | Seat Belts:front:anchorage | 1992–1993 |
| 97V063002 | Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 1992–1993 |
| 07E064000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 1982–1983 |
95V103003 was opened in 1995 on cars built from 1986: 9 years on the road before the recall.
The Colt against its rivals
The Colt draws 1.2 complaints per production run; the Hyundai Excel 1.2 and the Hyundai Scoupe 1.3. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Colt | 205 | 171 | 3.9% | |
| Hyundai Excel | 222 | 184 | 5.4% | |
| Hyundai Scoupe | 48 | 38 | 10.4% |
How serious were they
Of the 205 reports on the Dodge Colt, 3.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Dodge Colt | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 205 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 8 (3.9%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 3 (1.5%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 13 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 33% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Dodge Colt share of that is 205 complaints over 171 runs, 0.02% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Dodge Colt VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 205 NHTSA complaints from 171 Colt runs and 4 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Colt production run has the most complaints?
JB3CA11A2PU, a 1993 build, with 5 complaints. The typical Colt run has 1.2.
Which Colt years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1993 is heaviest at 1.5 complaints per run and 1986 lightest at 1.
Does the Colt get more complaints than the Hyundai Excel?
They are level: 1.2 complaints per production run for the Colt against 1.2 for the Hyundai Excel.
How many Colt complaints involve a crash?
3.9% of 205 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.
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