- 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
1988 Dodge Colt Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 1988 Dodge Colt with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (21) and the transmission & drivetrain (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 1 fire and 2 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1987 has 28 and the 1989 has 33.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Colt year, for its age
#41 most complained-about 1988 vehicle
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1988 Dodge Colt problems
Share of all 25 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1988 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
25 complaints about the 1988 Dodge Colt
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Seat belt buckle broke and the latch will not catch in the buckle
I would like to know if there were any recalls for this tire in 1998. The tires were only two months old when the back passenger side tire came off the rim and caused me to spin into a guardrail. There was nothing in the road to cause the accident. It was reported as a blow out but the tire itself was not damaged, it came off the rim. I need to know if I have a valid complaint to take to the manufacturer or if they are not liable for this product once it is sold to the tire dealer. The company name I gave,...
Read the full complaint
avellino's, is the tire dealer. I will be speaking with them tomorrow about the tires but will keep the faulty tire for evidence. If you have any information that might help me please send it to my email address. Thank you.( Dot number: tire size: 165/80r13 )
Recall 95v103003, seat belt buckles. It has been approximately 2 years since consumer has been trying to get the vehicle's problem remedied. Thus far, the dealer and manufacturer keep telling her that the parts are not available. She has completed all necessary documentation concerning this matter, and has no remaining information on the recall that was previously sent to her. *Ak
While driving 60 mph, heard noise, suddenly transmission locked up, lost vehicle power, used momentum to coast to side of road, could have caused crash, transmission rebuilt. *Ak
While driving the vehicle caught on fire in the fuel line system. Please describe. *Ak
Consumer stated that she has been waiting for parts since august. Left notice with dealer. Dealer has no record of this and cannot replace buckle without removing harness, doesn't know if manufacturer will be responsible for this payment. *Ak
Received 1st recall notice in feb and 2nd recall notice in august concening seat belt buckle recall repairs. Dealer still does not have parts in stock. Dealer did not say that he would order the parts. (95V-103.003). *Ak
5Speed manual transmission, when placed into neutral the engine races and the throttle seems stuck.*Ak
Owner took vehicle to the dealer to have recall repair work done and was told parts were not available. Recall #95v103003. *Ak
Seat belt recall repairs delayed due to scheduling difficulty. *Sd
Owner refused recall repairs to his seat belt buckles due to time constraints. *Dsh
Dealer made the appointment knowing there was no parts.
Passenger side seat belt is broken received recall letter dealer replaced part seat belt is still broken . Tt
Seat belt recall repairs not completed due to unavailable parts. *Sd
#Pe94-093 the driver side seat belt buckle is broke . Tt red plastic broke off and fell inside belt catch making it malfunctions. *Yh
The driver and passenger side seat belt buckle came loose . Tt
Seat belt buckle plastic broke, fell into buckle, causing failure of seat belt. Tt
SEAT BELT FAILED.
The drivers side seat belt buckle wouldn't lock seat belt . *Ak
Drivers side seat belt red plastic in latch broke, causing latch to jam. *Ak
All four seat belts are not working and have been broken for the last 4 years. Tt
Orange plastic piece where push to release broke on driver/passenger side, no longer catches; no longer holds seat belt together; does not work at all. Tt
Passenger side seat front buckle will not latch. Tt
Seatbelt buckle in lock position, it will not release, willing to let seat belt be viewed. Tt
The shoulder straps failed to restrain on both seats, causing injuries. Tt
Dodge Colt: every year compared
All Colt years1988 Dodge Colt vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 Dodge Colt | 25 | 1 | F | |
| 1988 Dodge Caravan | 107 | 5 | B | Compare |
| 1988 Dodge Aries | 11 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1988 Dodge D150 | 5 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 1988 Dodge B350 | 3 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1988 Dodge D100 | 3 | 2 | D | Compare |
| 1988 Dodge D250 | 3 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1988 Dodge B Series | 2 | 0 | B | Compare |
| 1988 Dodge B250 | 2 | 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 1988 Dodge Colt
Does the 1988 Dodge Colt have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1988 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 1988 Dodge Colt?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (21), transmission & drivetrain (2), wheels & tires (1).
How many complaints has the 1988 Dodge Colt had?
25 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 17, 1995 and the latest on April 17, 2000. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1988 Dodge Colt a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 21 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 1988 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