1989 DODGE COLT

1 recalls, 37 complaints - 4 TSBs

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Defect Description

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

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 SUR... Read more

920,000 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION

Complaint Statistics

37 total complaints 2 crashes 2 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	14
SEAT BELTS	8
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS	2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING	1
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE	1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR	1
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY	1
SUSPENSION:FRONT	1

Incident date: Oct 1, 1998

THE DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SYSTEM HAS LOCKED UP AND WON'T MOVE. IT IS NOT IN THE LATCHED POSITION. *AK

WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHTS GO OUT, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK

BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON, CAUSING BATTERY TO DIE.

Incident date: Aug 25, 1997

RECALL # 95V103003, CONTACTED DEALER IN JAN OF 97. PART HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR (7) MONTHS. *AK

CONTACTED THOMAS DODGE FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE PARTS HAVE NOT BEEN SHIPPED TO THE DEALER. *AK

Incident date: Jul 18, 1996

AIR CONDITIONER MALFUNCTIONING DUE TO LEAKING SEALS.

RECALL REPAIRS REFUSED ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE DUE TO UNAVAILABILITY OF PARTS.

Incident date: Jul 18, 1996

CAR HESITATES UPON ACCELERATON DUE TO MISADJUSTED TIMING.

Incident date: Jul 18, 1996

CAR HESITATES UPON ACCELERATING DUE TO MISADJUSTED THROTTLE BODY.

Incident date: May 15, 1996

LEFT TAIL LIGHT IS DIM DUE TO A FAILED GROUND WIRE.

Incident date: Sep 20, 1996

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ABOUT 45 MPH AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, AND THE SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DID NOT CATCH. THE SHOULDER BELT WENT FORWARD WITH OWNER AND THE LAP BELT BROKE. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 10, 1996

THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IS STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR IN CLOSED POSITION. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK

Incident date: Mar 26, 1997

WHILE DRIVING BRAKE LIGHTS & TAIL LIGHTS WOULD GO OUT WHEN VEHICLE HIT A BUMP; TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME ; DID NOT FIX IT ON LAST VISIT. LAST FEW TIMES; WAS TOLD BY DEALER MAYBE VEHICLE HAD GROUND WIRING PROBLEMS. *AK

Incident date: Jul 17, 1995

FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE RED PLASTIC RELEASE LEVER BROKE.

WHILE DRIVING STEERING WHEEL JERKS IN EITHER DIRECTION, TO CORRECT HAS REPLACED TWO TIRES AND ROTATED TIRES, DLR INDICATES MAY BE SUSPENSION PROBLEM, NOT FIXED. *AK

THE PARTS WERE ORDERED ON MAY 14, 1996 AND THE PARTS STILL HAVE NOT BEEN RECEIVED. *AK

Incident date: Sep 28, 1996

TIE ROD BROKE, CAUSING FRONT WHEEL TO FALL OFF.

Incident date: Apr 22, 1996

FIRST CONTACT WITH THE DEALER WAS ON 4-22-96. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT RECEIVED NOTICE ON THE AVAILABILITY OF THE PARTS.*AK

MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS STAY IN THE OPEN POSITION. *SD

Incident date: Aug 8, 1994

MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT WILL NOT RELEASE FROM ITS HOUSING. DRIVER MUST MANUALLY UNFASTEN TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. *AK

BOTH DRIVER/PASSENGER PASSIVE RESTRAINT FAILS TO ENGAGE; SYSTEM INOPERATIVE. *AK

Incident date: Jan 1, 1995

PE96-007 ACTIVE, AUTOMATIC LAP/SHOULDER BELT FAILURE, WILL NOT RETRACT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (OTHER VEHICLE ON 802685). *AK

#95V103003, RECEIVED RECALL, CAR SAT AT DEALER FOR TWO DAYS, SERVICE CALL BACK, THERE ARE NO PARTS, PLEASE DECRIBE. *AK

Incident date: Jan 31, 1996

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO BUCKLE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS. *SD

Incident date: May 1, 1995

WHEN MOTORIZED SEAT BELTS RETRACT, IT JAMS AND GRABS AGAINST THE CHEST OF THE OCCUPANT. *SD

Incident date: Aug 10, 1995

MAKING LEFT TURN, DRUNK DRIVER RAN RED LIGHT, HIT VEHICLE ON DRIVER SIDE, SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK UP, DRIVER WAS STRUNG AROUND IN CAR. *AK

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Jan 7, 1996

BALL JOINT SECURED BY SNAP RING WHICH IS .003 INCHES LARGER THAN SLOT, ALLOWING SNAP RING TO FALL OFF/JOINT TO COME OUT. *DSH

ALL REAR SEATBELT BUCKLES ARE INOPERATIVE, UPON LATCHING WON'T RELEASE, BUTTONS HAVE CRUMBLED INTO PIECES. *AK

THE SEATBELT WAS REPLACED TWICE AND HAD THE SAME DEFECT AS THE 1988 COLT RECALL. TT

Incident date: Oct 14, 1995

RED PIECE INSIDE BUCKLE ON PASSENGER SEATING POSITION BROKE WHILE FASTENING. TT

Incident date: Oct 30, 1995

THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT CAN NOT RELEASE FROM THE BUCKLE. TT *SLC

VEHICLE HAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION WITH NO WARNING. TT

Incident date: Aug 1, 1994

ENGINE REVVES AND THEN CAR ACCELERATES LIKE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON. DOES NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL. TT

Incident date: Apr 19, 1995

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WILL EITHER TIGHTEN/LOCK, PREVENTING FROM EXIT. FAILURE HAS REPEATED ITSELF SAME CONDITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

Incident date: Jun 15, 1994

TAKATA SEAT BELT JAMMED; WOULD NOT RELEASE; OCCUPANT KEPT PUSHING HARD TO RELEASE; PIECES OF PARTICLES WERE FOUND INSIDE RELEASING BUTTON. TT

Incident date: Apr 6, 1994

FRONT DRIVERS SIDE LAP BELT BUCKLE LOCKED UP. TT

Incident date: Feb 21, 1995

VEHICLES FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTON IS PARTIALLY BROKEN OFF.(PE94-093). TT

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 DODGE COLT

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
1.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 3-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	24.0	28.0	26.0	Regular	$2,400
1.5L 4-cyl, Manual 4-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	28.0	35.0	30.0	Regular	$2,100
1.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	26.0	32.0	28.0	Regular	$2,200
1.6L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	21.0	27.0	23.0	Premium	$3,350

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Subcompact Cars)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 DODGE COLT

4 manufacturer communications from 4 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING	1
220000 SEATS	1
162000 STRUCTURE:BODY	1
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	1

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

220000 SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

114000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

162000 STRUCTURE:BODY

SUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

NHTSA Safety Investigations, DODGE COLT

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1994

INADVERTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT

ALLEGE THAT THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG MAY DEPLOY FROM AN UNDERCARRIAGE OR TIRE/WHEEL IMPACT WITH A CURB, BUMP, DIP POTHOLE, ETC.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1990

TRANSFER CASE LOCKUP

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1989

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1989

AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE

THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAIL

There is no summary currently available

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1985

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1986

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1977

SEAT BLT STALK CABLE WIRES

SUMMARY:A REVIEW OF THE RECENT CANADIAN VEHICLE RECALL INFORMATION PRO-VIDED BY TRANSPORT CANADA REVEALED THAT CHRYSLER IS CONDUCTING A SAFETYRECALL CAMPAIGN IN CANADA (CODE 393) ON CERTAIN 1977 THRU 1979 DODGE ANDPLYMOUTH COLT VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT STALKS.A REVIEW OF AVAILABLE INF... Read more

DODGE COLT - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the DODGE COLT across all model years (1971, 1993).

23 Total Recalls

333 Total Complaints

8 Investigations

14 Reported Crashes

6 Reported Fires

1 Reported Deaths

DODGE COLT - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
1996	0	2	View
1994	0	23	View
1993	2	121	View
1992	2	14	View
1991	1	17	View
1990	1	14	View
1989 (current)	1	37
1988	1	28	View
1987	1	44	View
1986	1	24	View
1985	0	1	View
1984	1	1	View
1983	1	0	View
1982	1	2	View
1980	1	0	View
1978	3	0	View
1977	2	0	View
1976	1	0	View
1971	3	0	View

Other DODGE Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
DURANGO	234	19,190	View
CARAVAN	213	14,304	View
GRAND CARAVAN	203	18,754	View
CHARGER	200	8,152	View
RAM	176	5,521	View
DAKOTA	153	9,250	View
CHALLENGER	102	2,357	View
STRATUS	94	3,621	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1989 DODGE COLT

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

EPA Fuel Economy, 1989 DODGE COLT

Technical Service Bulletins, 1989 DODGE COLT

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, DODGE COLT

DODGE COLT - All Years Overview

DODGE COLT - Year by Year

Other DODGE Models