1993 Dodge Colt recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-19. 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 1993 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 1993 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 (99), Transmission / drivetrain (6), Body / structure (4), Seats (4), Brakes (3).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
01/31/2012 · Seat belts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1993 DODGE COLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT CABLE WAS CAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE SEAT BELTS TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS REPAIRED THREE TIMES PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AW…
05/15/2006 · Seat belts
THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SEAT BELTS FOR MY 1993 DODGE COLT IN 1997. I HAD THEM FIXED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL, BUT THEY FAILED AGAIN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS AN AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT SLIDE FOR THE SHOULDER HARNESS ON BOTH FRONT SEATS AND IT DOES NOT WORK. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AND UNACCEPTABLE. I AM AFRAID TO USE MY CAR, AFRAI…
12/10/2003 · Seat belts
CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING ABOUT A RETRACTABLE SEAT BELT PROBLEM. THE CABLE CORD CAME LOOSE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE CABLE CORD WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ANY SEAT BELT REPAIRS NOT MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. *AK *CB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SEAT BELT WAS REPLACED BACK IN 1997. *JB
06/27/2002 · Seat belts
THIS IS FOLLOW-UP TO ODI ID#543609. PASSIVE RESTRAINT ON DRIVERS SIDE FAILED & REPAIRS WHICH THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE DRIVE MOTOR BELT FAILED DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. CALLS TO CHRYSLER CUSTOMER ASSISTANCE HAVE FAILED. THE RECALL IS FOR FAILED RESTRAINTS WHICH MINE HAS DONE BUT THE MFG SAYS THE MOTOR IS NOT COVE…
06/26/2002 · Seat belts
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED AGAIN AFTER RECALL WAS DONE SEVERAL YEARS AGO. I CALLED DEALER & TEHY SAID THEY WOULD REQUEST THE PARTS & REPAIR AGAIN. WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY CALLED ME & SAID THAT THE RECALL ONLY COVERED THE TRACK HARDWARE & THAT THE BELT MOTOR WAS STRIPPED. THEY REFUSED TO INSTALL THE RECALL PARTS THEY HAD WITHOUT REPLACING THE MOTOR AT A…
06/26/2002 · Transmission / drivetrain
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED! BEARINGS WERE ALL PITTED & LOPSIDED. GARAGE ATTEMPTED TO GET A USED REPLACEMENT WITHOUT SUCCESS. SEVERAL TRANSMISSION SHOPS TOLD ME THAT THEY THINK EVERY ONE MADE HAS FAILED? I COULDN'T GET A USED REPLACEMENT WITHIN A 100 MILE RADIUS! I FINALLY GOT A SHOP TO INSTALL A REBUILD KIT AT A TOTAL COST OF APROX $900. I DON'T BELIEVE THERE…
10/03/2001 · Seat belts
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS ON RECALL AND FIXED, AFTER IT WAS REPLACED THE SEAT BELT TRACK FELL APART. *YH
10/03/2001 · Seat belts
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WAS ON RECALL AND FIXED, AFTER IT WAS REPLACED THE SEAT BELT TRACK FELL APART. *YH