Verdict · NHTSA data
Limited data — recalls on file
NHTSA has just 14 complaints on file for the 1992 Dodge Colt — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.
14
NHTSA complaints
2
Recalls
2
Investigations
0
Crash-involved
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belts | 7 | 50% | — flat |
| Engine | 2 | 14% | — flat |
| Suspension | 1 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Transmission | 1 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Visibility & Wipers | 1 | 7% | ▼ down |
| Steering | 1 | 7% | — flat |
| Latches & Locks | 1 | 7% | new |
2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Defect
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.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH WITH A SWITCH THAT UTILIZES REDUCED LUBRICATING GREASE, IMPROVED CONTACT SURFACE, AND A DIFFERENT RUBBER ISOLATION BOOT.
Defect
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.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REPLACEMENT GUIDE RAIL THAT INCORPORATES A DOUBLE LIP DUST SEAL AND AN ANODIC OXIDE COATING.
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE TO BE USED. BELT WILL RETRACT WHEN DOOR IS UNLOCKED. BELT IS ONLY TRIGGERED BY DOOR CLOSING OR OPENING. *AK SOMETIMES THE DOOR HAS TO BE REPEATEDLY OPENED AND CLOSED TO GET THE BELT TO CROSS OVER CHEST. * YH”
“EXHAUST MANIFOLD IS PRONE TOO WIDE/CRACKING, CAUSING THE EXHAUST TO ESCAPE INTO THE FRESH AIR INTAKE AND THEN INTO THE VEHICLE. WHEN SEARCHING FOR REPLACEMENT, DIFFICULT TO FIND ONE WITHOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK *ML”
“GLASS WAS SCRATCHING BADLY, AND WAS GETTING WORSE. IT WAS WHITE IN COLOR. NOT ABLE TO SEE OUT OF WINDOWS. NOT VISIBLE TO DRIVE. *AK”
“HARMONIC BALANCER BOLT "BACKED" OUT - WAS ADVISED IT WAS MANUFACTURE DEFECT BUT BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED - WAS ADVISED THAT IF THEY HAD TO COVER EVERY MANUFACTURE DEFECT THAT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THAT THEY WOULD "GO BROKE"- I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WITH A '93 ENGINE…”
The record is thin — 14 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are seat belts (7 complaints), engine (2 complaints), suspension (1 complaints).
Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 1992 Dodge Colt. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Colt years to avoid are 1993, 1987, 1989. The cleanest record among Colt years belongs to 1995.
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.