- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The safety belts would not provide adequate protection to an occupant in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Vehicle safety record
1986 Dodge Colt Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 1986 Dodge Colt with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (21) and the body, doors & structure (1). It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1985 has 1 and the 1987 has 28.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Colt year, for its age
#18 most complained-about 1986 vehicle
- Complaints
- 22
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1986 Dodge Colt problems
Share of all 22 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1986 Dodge Colt recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
Be the first Colt owner to share.
Problems or none - your experience is exactly what the next buyer is looking for. Write it now
22 complaints about the 1986 Dodge Colt
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Consumer received a recall regarding the seat belt buckles with a lifetime warranty. Consumer also stated there had always been problems with the back seat belt buckles. The problem was both back seat belt buckles were stuck in the seat. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted, however they stated they had never heard of recall. Problems still exist with the front seat belt buckle not functioning properly. Consumer has original recall document. Ts *tt *jb
For years, water leaking inside trunk. Don't know where leak coming from. Rotted away entire interior of trunk. Around october/november 1999, noticed seat belt won't clip into place, and if it does after several attempts, it's stuck inside. When press button "press" nothing happens. *Ak
Rear driver's and passenger's side seat belts are inoperative. The seat belts are in the lock position, cannot disengage the belt from the buckle. *Ak
Took vehicle in to be repaired under the recall and the dealer will not acknowledge the recall. Please describe details. *Ak
Recall notice on seat belt, dealer said no parts available and will not call customer when parts are available.
Seat belt buckle recall repairs refused twice; once due to unavailability of parts, second time dealer received wrong parts, consumer will have to return a third time, has still not heard from dealer (95v-103-003). *Ak
Cranshaft broke, allowing harmonic balancer to fly across the interstate. *Ak
The rear seat belts will not latch. Please describe details. *Ak
Campaign 95v103003 for seat belt buckle has been denied by mfr even though all seatbelt displays tk 52 show seat belt buckle broke. *Ak
Internal plastic part of front passenger's buckle broke, causing seat belt buckle to not latch. Tt
Manufacturer says there is no recall on my seat belt buckles but the same problem exist in them. Tt
#Pe94-093 the driver side seat belt buckle hard to unlatch . Tt
Takata seat belt buckle is inoperative due to part of buckle breaking off and falling inside, which causes to jam. Tt
Passenger side buckle will jam, and driver side buckle will not latch pe94-093 active. Tt
BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT DON'T RESTRAIN PROPERLY. TT
The front driver side seat belt buckle didn't restrain would not stay in place. Tt
Drivers side seat buckle will not latch for proper use of safety restraints. Tt
Vehicle seat belt driver side buckles red push in button broke and pieces are inside.Thus making seat belt inoperative.(Pe94-093). Tt
SEAT BELT DIFFICULT TO DISENGAGE.
SEAT BELT BUCKLE ON DRIVER SIDE WILL NOT LATCH. TT
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BUCKLE IS BROKEN. TT
Front passenger side seat belt had to be opened with a screwdriver. Tt
Dodge Colt: every year compared
All Colt years1986 Dodge Colt vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 Dodge Colt | 22 | 1 | D | |
| 1986 Dodge Caravan | 49 | 4 | A | Compare |
| 1986 Dodge 600 | 6 | 4 | D | Compare |
| 1986 Dodge Colt Vista | 4 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 1986 Dodge Aries | 3 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1986 Dodge D150 | 3 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1986 Dodge B200 | 2 | 0 | A | Compare |
| 1986 Dodge B Series | 1 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1986 Dodge B250 | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1986 Dodge Colt
Does the 1986 Dodge Colt have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1986 Dodge Colt: buckle assembly (May 1995). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1986 Dodge Colt?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (21), body, doors & structure (1), engine & cooling (1).
How many complaints has the 1986 Dodge Colt had?
22 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 21, 1995 and the latest on October 31, 2002. Of these, 0 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 0 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1986 Dodge Colt a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 32 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Dodge Colt year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Dodge Colt years have the most complaints?
1993 (113), 1989 (33), 1987 (28). See every Dodge Colt year compared.
What should I do if my 1986 Dodge Colt has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data