- 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
1987 Dodge Colt Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 1987 Dodge Colt with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (16) and the engine & cooling (3). Those complaints describe 2 crashes and 2 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1986 has 22 and the 1988 has 25.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Colt year, for its age
#29 most complained-about 1987 vehicle
- Complaints
- 28
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 2
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1987 Dodge Colt problems
Share of all 28 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1987 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
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28 complaints about the 1987 Dodge Colt
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 2.
The vehicle was moving at approximately 35-40 mph when a 5" chunk of tread came off the tire and exposed the steel belts in the tire. The air started to leak out. *Ak some time after the tread separated the tire started to lose air. The tread wear pattern indicated that the tire may have been "somewhat" under-inflated, but not seriously so and not since the vehicle was purchased. The tire dealer refused to assist the consumer with the problem. The tire model had been discontinued. (Cordovan grand prix radial g/t) *scc *jb
Hello!I purchased this 1987 dodge colt vista wagon used in 1999 and initially when purchased the auto/transmission floated out of gear in a busy area and would not move,until I played with the lever,and finally it jumped into gear.It happens at various times and I must sit in car at an idle at least 5minutes before transmission will work!Second problem is manifold is leaking and also motor oil is leaking unto manifold and causes a lot of smoke under engine and out the exhaust.I understand there are recalls already...
Read the full complaint
on some models of the 1987 dodge colt vista sw according to alldata.Com.The whole system must be replaced(manifold and exhaust) and the transmission should be repaired because the car will float out of car anywhere!!The emmision is very bad at this time do to smoke from car!*Ak
Cracked exhaust manifold leaks fumes inside vehicle through vents causing safety hazard of carbon monoxide for those inside vehicle. *Ak
AIR CONDITIONER PROBLEMS. MJS
Consumer was in a light rear end accident, and after continuous driving rear axle broke. Dealer has not been contacted. *Ak
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE AFTER RECALL REPAIRS.
Recall repair not performed on front seat belt buckles due to lack of parts.
Plastic in rear and center seat belt buckle had degraded. This variation is caused by possible contact of sun rays. *Ak
FUEL PUMP LEAK.
HOLE IN EXHAUST PIPE.
SEAT BELT BUCKLES INOPERATIVE
REAR SEAT BELT FAILED.
REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED. *SD
The rear spindle deteriorated, causing the rear wheel to lcok up. *Ak
Left side passenger seat belt will not lock. Please describe details. *Ak
While driving, heard loud burst w/compartment filling with steam and anti-freeze burnt drivers foot from under dash. Please describe details. *Ak
#95V103003 DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE BROKE . TT
#PE94-093 THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT BUCKLE . TT
Purchase new 7/87 drive car for two year was driving on the freeway and car stall need a new engine and the rotor was replace. Tt
Bolt for windshield wiper on drivers side broke off, causing wiper to fall off/poor visibility. *Dsh
While coming down the mountain 5-speed transmission would not go in any gears. Tt
Passenger side seat belt retractor don't retract. Tt
At one time, driver's shoulder/lap belt would catch and not release; now does not catch at all; cause unknown. Tt
One front and one rear seat belt will not latch/sticks. Tt
Drivers side seatbelt release button will not properly fasten for occupant restraint due to chipped pieces. Tt
Dodge Colt: every year compared
All Colt years1987 Dodge Colt vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 Dodge Colt | 28 | 1 | F | |
| 1987 Dodge Caravan | 72 | 3 | B | Compare |
| 1987 Dodge Aries | 9 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1987 Dodge 600 | 6 | 2 | C | Compare |
| 1987 Dodge B250 | 5 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1987 Dodge B150 | 2 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1987 Dodge Colt Vista | 1 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1987 Dodge D Series(light) | 1 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1987 Dodge D150 | 1 | 2 | D | 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 1987 Dodge Colt
Does the 1987 Dodge Colt have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1987 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 1987 Dodge Colt?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (16), engine & cooling (3), transmission & drivetrain (3).
How many complaints has the 1987 Dodge Colt had?
28 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 17, 1995 and the latest on December 2, 2003. Of these, 2 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1987 Dodge Colt a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 19 out of 100 (grade F: far 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 1987 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