1989 Dodge Colt
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Dodge › Colt › 1989
These records cover every 1989 Dodge Colt. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1989 Dodge Colt. Newest first.
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 and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
33 complaints2 involved a crash2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Seat belts
The driver's side automatic seat belt system has locked up and won't move. It IS not in the latched position. *Ak
- Exterior lighting › Tail lights
When the headlights are on and when applying the brakes the right rear tail lights go out, cause unknown. *ak
- Exterior lighting › Brake lights
Brake light stays on, causing battery to die.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Recall # 95v103003, contacted dealer in jan of 97. Part has been on back order for (7) months. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Contacted thomas dodge for the second time and the parts have not been shipped to the dealer. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner · Exterior lighting › Tail lights · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Vehicle speed control
Recall repairs refused on seat belt buckle due to unavailability of parts.
- Seat belts
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
- Seat belts
The automatic seat belt on the driver's side IS stuck in the retractor in closed position. the problem has not been corrected. *ak
- Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
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
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Front passenger's seat belt buckle red plastic release lever broke.
- Suspension › Front
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
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
The parts were ordered on may 14, 1996 and the parts still have not been received. *ak
- Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
Tie rod broke, causing front wheel to fall off.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
First contact with the dealer was on 4-22-96. The consumer has not received notice on the availability of the parts.*ak
- Seat belts
Motorized seat belts stay in the open position. *Sd
- Seat belts
Motorized shoulder belt will not release from its housing. Driver must manually unfasten to exit the vehicle. *Ak
- Seat belts
Both driver/passenger passive restraint fails to engage; system inoperative. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Pe96-007 active, automatic lap/shoulder belt failure, will not retract on the driver's side (other vehicle on 802685). *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
#95V103003, received recall, car sat at dealer for two days, service call back, there are no parts, please decribe. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt buckle failed to buckle after recall repairs. *Sd
- Seat belts
When motorized seat belts retract, it jams and grabs against the chest of the occupant. *Sd
- Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
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
- Suspension › Front › Control arm
Ball joint secured by snap ring which IS .003 inches larger than slot, allowing snap ring to fall off/joint to come out. *Dsh
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
All rear seatbelt buckles are inoperative, upon latching won't release, buttons have crumbled into pieces. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Webbing
The seatbelt was replaced twice and had the same defect as the 1988 colt recall. tt
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Automatic shoulder belt failure
The automatic shoulder belt allegedly malfunctions or fails
- Auto shoulder belt failure
The automatic shoulder belt allegedly malfunctions or fails
- Takata seat blt bckls fail
There is no summary currently available
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 618049Subject regarding wire splice repairs.
- 612160Subject on the child seat tether anchors. *Mjs
- 610635Subject regarding child seat tether anchors.
- 609995This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts.
Every Dodge Colt model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.