- 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
1990 Dodge Colt Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 13 complaints about the 1990 Dodge Colt with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (9) and the electrical system (2). Those complaints describe 1 crash, 2 fires, 2 injuries and 1 death. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in May 1995 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1989 has 33 and the 1991 has 22.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Colt year, for its age
#105 most complained-about 1990 vehicle
- Complaints
- 13
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 1
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 2
- Deaths
- 1
Most common 1990 Dodge Colt problems
Share of all 13 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1990 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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13 complaints about the 1990 Dodge Colt
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners.
Drum, tire and all off axle, when vehicle stopped, almost lost family, dealer neglect. *Ak
Vehicle was idling high then suddenly accelerated causing the vehicle to cross the road, fly into the air and flip 2 1/2 times landing on the hood. Nlm
Vehicle was parked and looked outside and the vehicle was burned up. Owner thinks that the fire started under the hood. Also owner states that when the door is shut the automatic shoulder belt opens and closes which causes the driver to be insecure in the seat.Can cause a safety concern. Under recal 95v102003. *Ak
Consumer's brother was driving vehicle, and had a head-on collision with another vehicle. At time of crash driver was wearing his seat belts, the shoulder belt had to be cut off of occupant, and the lap belt detached itself during impact. *Ak
Automatic shoulder belt will not retract to its starting position, while the vehicle is off.
Intermittent shoulder belt failure; passenger side shoulder belt does not close/lock up as designed, passenger not properly restrained.*Ak
MOTORBELT FAILED. *SD
IGNITION SWITCH SHORTED, CAUSING FIRE. *DH
The front automatic restraint system has failed. It will only retract half way or it will not work at all. Please describe. *Ak
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BUCKLES FAILS TO LATCH. *SKD
Vehicles driver and passenger has broken welds on beam area. Tt
Motorized shoulder belt snapped back tightly, pinning driver to seat/other times motorized shoulder belt does not tighten at all. *Ak
DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DOES NOT WORK. TT
Dodge Colt: every year compared
All Colt years1990 Dodge Colt vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 Dodge Colt | 13 | 1 | F | |
| 1990 Dodge Caravan | 283 | 6 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge Dakota | 66 | 3 | A | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge Grand Caravan | 55 | 3 | A | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge Dynasty | 54 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge Daytona | 27 | 3 | F | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge D250 | 9 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge D150 | 6 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1990 Dodge B250 | 5 | 0 | C | 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 1990 Dodge Colt
Does the 1990 Dodge Colt have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1990 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 1990 Dodge Colt?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (9), electrical system (2), acceleration & cruise control (1).
How many complaints has the 1990 Dodge Colt had?
13 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 24, 1995 and the latest on March 6, 2002. Of these, 1 describe a crash and 2 a fire, and together they report 2 injuries and 1 death.
Is the 1990 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 1990 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