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1989 Dodge ColtProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 33 owner complaints about the 1989 Dodge Colt, most often about the seat belts. It is covered by 1 safety recall.

48
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.1× the Colt median · #2 of 9 years by complaints
Safety recalls1Free fix at dealersOwner complaints334 with a crash, fire or injuryTop problem25Seat belts

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 6, 2000. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1989 Dodge Colt has problems

33 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Seat belts252
Vehicle speed control30
Exterior lighting30
Suspension20
Electrical system10
Engine and engine cooling10
Steering10
Equipment10

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

1 recall

1989 Dodge Colt recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 95V-103 · May 24, 1995 · 920,000 vehicles

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

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Dodge.

Best & worst years

1989 vs. every other Colt year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Colt median. How we score

'71'76'77'78'80'82'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'96
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1989 Dodge Colt, and the recalls they led to.

  1. AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILUREEA96014 · closed Jun 12, 1997
    Led to recall 97V-063
  2. TAKATA SEAT BLT BCKLS FAILPE94093 · closed Aug 2, 1995
    Led to recall 95V-103
  3. AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILUREPE96007 · closed Jun 28, 1996
    No recall
In owners' words

What Colt owners report

Recent seat belts complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

PE96-007 ACTIVE, AUTOMATIC LAP/SHOULDER BELT FAILURE, WILL NOT RETRACT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (OTHER VEHICLE ON 802685). *AK
Complaint 985817 · Jul 14, 1996
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
Complaint 983165 · Apr 18, 1996
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WILL EITHER TIGHTEN/LOCK, PREVENTING FROM EXIT. FAILURE HAS REPEATED ITSELF SAME CONDITION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
Complaint 964707 · May 2, 1995

Own a 1989 Colt?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.