1992 Dodge Colt recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
2 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW REPLACEMENT GUIDE RAIL THAT INCORPORATES A DOUBLE LIP DUST SEAL AND AN ANODIC OXIDE COATING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1992 COLT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V073002.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
Summary: 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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED INTO THREE MAILINGS WITH THE FIRST MAILING BEGINNING DURING AUGUST 1997. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
2. Latches / locks
What's wrong, in plain English: Doors, hood or trunk may open unexpectedly. 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.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
The fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH WITH A SWITCH THAT UTILIZES REDUCED LUBRICATING GREASE, IMPROVED CONTACT SURFACE, AND A DIFFERENT RUBBER ISOLATION BOOT.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1992 COLT.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 97V063002.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Summary: 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.
Notes: OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION WILL BE PHASED INTO THREE MAILINGS WITH THE FIRST MAILING BEGINNING DURING AUGUST 1997. NOTE: OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403. ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Seat belts (7), Engine (3), Visibility (wipers / glass) (1), Suspension (1), Latches / locks (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
05/23/2002 · Seat belts
THE PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT WORK. THE SEATBELT WILL NOT SLIDE BACK AND FORTH DUE TO CABLE POPPING OUT. PLEASE ADD VIN.*JB
07/21/2000 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
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
04/18/2000 · Suspension
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 (COMPATIBLE W/ MY '92) WHICH HAD 30,000 MILES ON IT, 35,000…
11/17/1999 · Latches / locks
THE HOOD OF THE CAR FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. *AK
07/20/1999 · Seat belts
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT FROM THE RETRACTING MECHASIM , CAUSING IT TO BECOME INOPERABLE. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
04/06/1999 · Seat belts
RECALL # 97V073000; MITSUBISHI/DRIVER'S SIDE GUIDE RAIL/CONSUMER STARTED HAVING TROUBLE AFTER HAVING RECALL SERVICE. THE MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT DOES NOT TRAVEL ON THE RAIL. DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE CONSUMER TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *AK
02/19/1999 · Engine
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
11/23/1998 · Seat belts
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