Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

Plymouth COLT problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

138 owner complaints analyzed

4 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1986 to 1994 model years. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seat Belts is the most frequently named component, appearing in 65 of 138 complaints (47.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Electrical and battery issues42.9%
Transmission and shifting32.2%
Braking behavior21.4%
Steering behavior10.7%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Seat Belts
65
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
24
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
14
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
8
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
3
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Seat Belts65
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly24
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor14
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage8
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine3
Power Train:Automatic Transmission3
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch2
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline2

Seat Belts: 65; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 24; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 14; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 8; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Electrical System:Ignition:Switch: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 138 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
31
1996
42
1997
26
1998
9
1999
12
2000
9
2001
5
2002
2
2003
1
2020
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
199531
199642
199726
19989
199912
20009
20015
20022
20031
20201

1995: 31; 1996: 42; 1997: 26; 1998: 9; 1999: 12; 2000: 9; 2001: 5; 2002: 2; 2003: 1; 2020: 1

Pattern summary

Seat Belts leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 961377 · 1995-03-07 (March 7, 1995)

WIRING IN BRAKE LIGHTS SCREWED INTO PLASTIC HOUSING OF TAIL LIGHT MELTED, CAUSING CONNECTION TO BE INTERMITTENT. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961377 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 961753 · 1995-03-13 (March 13, 1995)

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE THINK ELECTRICAL. TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 961753 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 481045 · 1995-01-29 (January 29, 1995)

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TW

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481045 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 530957 · 1998-02-19 (February 19, 1998)

FIVE SPEED TRANSMISSION FAILED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 530957 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 985714 · 1996-06-17 (June 17, 1996)

RIGHT FRONT BRAKE PADS FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING, CAUSED ACCIDENT, VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT STANDSTILL. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985714 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10020527 · 2003-05-26 (May 26, 2003)

DRIVER SIDE SEAT HARNESS UNSAFE----DELAYS ON WORKING AND CAUGHT HEAD BETWEEN BELT, STEERING WHEEL AND LEFT WELT ON NECK. SNAP WOULD NOT RELEASE HARNESS BELT. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020527 at NHTSA ↗

Compare model years

Recalls by model year

All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.

Recall campaigns

Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.

1986
1
1987
1
1988
1
1989
0
1990
1
1991
1
1992
3
1993
3
1994
1
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19861
19871
19881
19890
19901
19911
19923
19933
19941

1986: 1; 1987: 1; 1988: 1; 1989: 0; 1990: 1; 1991: 1; 1992: 3; 1993: 3; 1994: 1

Year-by-year records

Plymouth COLT model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
198671Not available
1987610
19881410
1989110-1
199091+1
1991710
1992133+2
19937130
199401-2
Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

138 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 138 records
79.0%Valid incident date109 / 138 records
100.0%Valid filing date138 / 138 records
79.0%Ordered incident and filing dates109 / 138 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component198619871988198919901991199219931994
Seat Belts
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

116.7%
ODI 565713

RESPOND TO REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION DUE TO DRIVER RECEIVING INJURIES PRIOR TO RECEIVING NOTICE OF RECALL (95V-103-003, SUMMARY SENT) FOR SEAT BELT BUCKLES IN A 1987 PLYMOUTH COLT AND SENT A VOQ FOR FUTURE USE. CONSUMER SENT ADDITIONAL CORRESPONDENCE. *LD *JS *JS

Look up ODI 565713 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

218.2%
ODI 504823

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT DOES NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE PERSON TO CHOKE. *SD

Look up ODI 504823 at NHTSA ↗

444.4%
ODI 526526

MOTORIZED SEAT BELT FAILURE.

Look up ODI 526526 at NHTSA ↗

342.9%
ODI 506597

AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. *AW

Look up ODI 506597 at NHTSA ↗

1076.9%
ODI 489444

AUTOMATIC MOTOR BELT DESIGN CAUSES DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S TO FORGET TO FASTEN LAP BELT. *SKD

Look up ODI 489444 at NHTSA ↗

4563.4%
ODI 484201

AUTOMATIC DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BROKE PRIOR TO RECALL. *SD

Look up ODI 484201 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
571.4%
ODI 481341

DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S SEAT BELTS RELEASE MECHANISM CHIPPED, CAUSING PIECES TO FALL INTO LOCKING MECHANISMS, RESULTING IN BUCKLES JAMMING. *SKD

Look up ODI 481341 at NHTSA ↗

466.7%
ODI 507998

RECALL WORK DENIED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS ON SEAT BELT BUCKLES.

Look up ODI 507998 at NHTSA ↗

857.1%
ODI 502229

FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLE CRACKED. *SD

Look up ODI 502229 at NHTSA ↗

327.3%
ODI 505818

SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL WORK NOT COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

Look up ODI 505818 at NHTSA ↗

111.1%
ODI 964487

SHOULDER/LAP BELT BUCKLES INOPERATIVE, RELEASE MECHANISM BROKE INSIDE BUCKLE, MALE WON'T GO INTO FEMALE PORTION. TT

Look up ODI 964487 at NHTSA ↗

114.3%
ODI 516865

THE RECALL PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE ARE UNAVAILABLE, THUS THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BE DONE.

Look up ODI 516865 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

22.8%
ODI 739486

THIS FAILURE IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V073002. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO SANTA ROSA DODGE, WHO HAD ORIGINALLY REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE RECALL WAS MADE IN 1997. THIS TIME THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAID FOR IT. IO CONTACTED THE MANUFATURER AT THE NUMBER PROVIDED ON THE RECALL NOTICE AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME (THEY GO BY WHAT THE DEALER SAYS). AT THIS TIME I HAVE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BECAUSE THIS DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *AK

Look up ODI 739486 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
114.3%
ODI 500224

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED. *DSH

Look up ODI 500224 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

19.1%
ODI 984433

THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTS ON THE TRACT CONSISTANTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Look up ODI 984433 at NHTSA ↗

111.1%
ODI 964766

PASSENGER SEATBELT RETRACTOR DOES NOT WORK, SEATBELT IS AT FULL EXTEND. TT

Look up ODI 964766 at NHTSA ↗

114.3%
ODI 983911

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS RETRACT TOO TIGHTLY AND CHOKE THE OCCUPANTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK

Look up ODI 983911 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

1014.1%
ODI 507936

MOTORBELT RETRACTOR INOPERABLE.

Look up ODI 507936 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
114.3%
ODI 522235

SEAT BELT RECALL WORK NOT COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.

Look up ODI 522235 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

17.1%
ODI 605488

PASSENGER SEAT BELT BROKEN.

Look up ODI 605488 at NHTSA ↗

19.1%
ODI 513833

RADIATOR FAILED.

Look up ODI 513833 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

57.0%
ODI 800478

AUTOMATIC SHOULDER/LAP BELT STOPPED WORKING, WITHOUT WARNING, PASSENGER WOULD BE RESTRAINED WITH LAP BELT ONLY.*AK

Look up ODI 800478 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

19.1%
ODI 481854

TIMING BELT FAILED 4 TIMES, ALSO GASKETS/PISTONS/RINGS AND VALVES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *SKD

Look up ODI 481854 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

22.8%
ODI 526832

VALVE COVER HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE, CAUSING LEAKAGE.

Look up ODI 526832 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
114.3%
ODI 481045

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TW

Look up ODI 481045 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

22.8%
ODI 526832

VALVE COVER HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE, CAUSING LEAKAGE.

Look up ODI 526832 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

22.8%
ODI 806694

KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION, DEALER SAYS KEY IS NOT BENT, INGNITION PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *AK *JB

Look up ODI 806694 at NHTSA ↗

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

218.2%
ODI 481854

TIMING BELT FAILED 4 TIMES, ALSO GASKETS/PISTONS/RINGS AND VALVES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *SKD

Look up ODI 481854 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

0Unavailable

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 213 reports

1993: 13 complaints · 1994: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
19931113
1994000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
199354170
1994000

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentSeat BeltsSeat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblySeat Belts:Front:RetractorSeat Belts:Front:AnchorageEngine And Engine Cooling:EnginePower Train:Automatic TransmissionElectrical System:Ignition:SwitchEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Seat Belts—00
1
ODI 870305

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT WAS STUCK. SHE COULD PUSH ON THE BOTTON TO RELEASE AND UNRELEASE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.*AK AFTER THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILED, THE CUSTOMER BEGAN TO MANUALLY BUCKLE THE SHOULDER STRAP BUT THE CABLE BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S BLIND SPOT MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO MAKE A TURN. *YH

Look up ODI 870305 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 526832

VALVE COVER HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE, CAUSING LEAKAGE.

Look up ODI 526832 at NHTSA ↗

1
ODI 526832

VALVE COVER HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE, CAUSING LEAKAGE.

Look up ODI 526832 at NHTSA ↗

00
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly0—
1
ODI 500224

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED. *DSH

Look up ODI 500224 at NHTSA ↗

00000
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor0
1
ODI 500224

FUEL INJECTORS FAILED. *DSH

Look up ODI 500224 at NHTSA ↗

—00000
Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage
1
ODI 870305

DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT WAS STUCK. SHE COULD PUSH ON THE BOTTON TO RELEASE AND UNRELEASE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.*AK AFTER THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILED, THE CUSTOMER BEGAN TO MANUALLY BUCKLE THE SHOULDER STRAP BUT THE CABLE BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S BLIND SPOT MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO MAKE A TURN. *YH

Look up ODI 870305 at NHTSA ↗

00—0000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
1
ODI 526832

VALVE COVER HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE, CAUSING LEAKAGE.

Look up ODI 526832 at NHTSA ↗

000—
1
ODI 526832

VALVE COVER HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE, CAUSING LEAKAGE.

Look up ODI 526832 at NHTSA ↗

0
1
ODI 481854

TIMING BELT FAILED 4 TIMES, ALSO GASKETS/PISTONS/RINGS AND VALVES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *SKD

Look up ODI 481854 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Automatic Transmission
1
ODI 526832

VALVE COVER HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE, CAUSING LEAKAGE.

Look up ODI 526832 at NHTSA ↗

000
1
ODI 526832

VALVE COVER HEAD GASKET FAILED TWICE, CAUSING LEAKAGE.

Look up ODI 526832 at NHTSA ↗

—
1
ODI 866656

KEY STICKING INTO THE IGNITION SWICH, AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE UNLESS THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON IS PUSHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAIL. *AK

Look up ODI 866656 at NHTSA ↗

0
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch00000
1
ODI 866656

KEY STICKING INTO THE IGNITION SWICH, AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE UNLESS THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON IS PUSHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAIL. *AK

Look up ODI 866656 at NHTSA ↗

—0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline0000
1
ODI 481854

TIMING BELT FAILED 4 TIMES, ALSO GASKETS/PISTONS/RINGS AND VALVES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *SKD

Look up ODI 481854 at NHTSA ↗

00—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

1 mentions · 0.7% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 758177

FRONT DOOR LATCHES FAULTY. TO LOCK DOORS HANDLE MUST BE HELD UP, DRIVER'S DOOR WAS FIRST TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEM. I WOULD NOTICE DOOR PARTIALLY OPEN SOME MORNING AND I THOUGHT SOMEONE WAS MESSING WITH THE CAR. THOUGH ALWAYS EXTREMELY CAREFUL ABOUT LOCKING, I BECAME EVEN MORE SO. PROBLEM PERSISTED, APPROX. 1 MONTH LATER PASSENGER DOOR BEGAN EXPERIENCING SAME PROBLEM. NOW IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO GET DOORS TO LATCH WHEN LOCKING. WHEN TURNING CORNER PASSENGER DOOR DID NOT OPEN BUT UNLATCHED ENOUGH TO CAUSE WARNING LIGHTS TO COME ON.

Look up ODI 758177 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b