- The problem
- The guide rail on the driver's side contains a covered cable and also an angled belt guide at the top end of the webbing. The combination of these factors can lead, over time, to the cable's movement exerting abrading force to the lower edges of the cable's chamber, sufficient to cause the cable to drop out of the chamber with the shoulder belt anchorage becoming stuck.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
- The fix
- Dealers will install a new replacement guide rail that incorporates a double lip dust seal and an anodic oxide coating.
Vehicle safety record
1993 Dodge Colt Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 113 complaints about the 1993 Dodge Colt with NHTSA, most often about the seats & seat belts (98) and the transmission & drivetrain (5). Those complaints describe 4 crashes and 3 injuries. It is covered by 2 recalls, the latest in May 1997 for the anchorage. For comparison, the 1992 has 15 and the 1994 has 18.
NHTSA data checked
FFar more problems than a typical Colt year, for its age
#40 most complained-about 1993 vehicle
- Complaints
- 113
- Recalls
- 2
- Crashes
- 4
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1993 Dodge Colt problems
Share of all 113 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1993 Dodge Colt recalls 2
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
- The problem
- Excess lubrication can cause the rubber door latch switch cover to deform, and the door latch switch to malfunction, so that the shoulder belt anchorage would remain at the a-pillar when the door was closed.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the door latch switch with a switch that utilizes reduced lubricating grease, improved contact surface, and a different rubber isolation boot.
What owners say
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113 complaints about the 1993 Dodge Colt
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 5.
Tl* the contact owns a 1993 dodge colt. The contact stated that the automatic seat belt cable was came loose and caused the seat belts to become inoperable. The contact mentioned that the failure was repaired three times prior to the most recent failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who offered to pay for the repairs the dealer diagnosed the problem. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 67,194 and the current mileage was 120,000.
There was a recall on the seat belts for my 1993 dodge colt in 1997. I had them fixed according to the recall, but they failed again a couple of years ago. Same problem. There is an automatic seat belt slide for the shoulder harness on both front seats and it does not work. This is incredibly dangerous and unacceptable. I am afraid to use my car, afraid we'll die in a crash. Please get the manufacturer to recall this again or at least allow me another "fix" so that we can be safe. Tia. *Nm
Consumer was complaining about a retractable seat belt problem. The cable cord came loose. The dealership told the consumer that the cable cord was not part of the recall and the consumer would have to pay for any seat belt repairs not mentioned in the recall. *Ak *cb the consumer stated the seat belt was replaced back in 1997. *Jb
This is follow-up to odi id#543609. Passive restraint on drivers side failed & repairs which the dealership stated that the drive motor belt failed due to the age of the vehicle and was not included in the recall. Calls to chrysler customer assistance have failed. The recall is for failed restraints which mine has done but the mfg says the motor is not covered even though the motor belt was "stripped" because the cables got stuck in the tracks. This car is old but only has 53k miles on it. The seat belts are required by federal & state laws & should be covered by the mfg for any failure other than collision or intentional damage. Please help me.*Ak
The transmission failed! Bearings were all pitted & lopsided. Garage attempted to get a used replacement without success. Several transmission shops told me that they think every one made has failed? I couldn't get a used replacement within a 100 mile radius! I finally got a shop to install a rebuild kit at a total cost of aprox $900. I don't believe there are no other complaints on this trans from what I heard trying to get mine repaire.*Ak
Driver's seat belt failed again after recall was done several years ago. I called dealer & tehy said they would request the parts & repair again. When taken to the dealer they called me & said that the recall only covered the track hardware & that the belt motor was stripped. They refused to install the recall parts they had without replacing the motor at a cost of over $600. I turned this down & was charged $35 for their trouble???. I think it is about time that chrysler own up to this problem! There are thousands...
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of these cars on the road with seat belts that don't work. I thought seats belts had to be repaired by the dealerships no matter how they failed? Somebody please do something befor myself, family or others are injured or killed because of the problem. *Ak
Driver side seat belt was on recall and fixed, after it was replaced the seat belt track fell apart. *Yh
Roof struts in vehicle were rusted and replaced by dealership in summer of 1999. Two years later, struts were rusting again. Dealership was refusing to assist consumer. Please provide any additional information/attachments.*Ak
Seat belt is raveling, consumer had recall 97v073002 completed regarding the guide rail. *Slc
Recall 97 v 073 002/driver's side guide rail: driver's side passive restraint belt would intermittently stay in forward position, and not secure occupant. Dealer was notified, and informed consumer this vehicle not cover under recall due to vin. *Ak the dealer damaged the door in the process of replacing the seat belt. The seat belt still did not operate properly. *Yh
Guide clip on right side of seat for belt is made in such a way that it cuts into belt itself, causing belt to shred severly. Very hazardous and will not restrain person in vehicle if ever an acccident should occur.*Ak
Driver's side seat belt cable has come out of place which caused seat belt to become inoperable. Also, recall number 97v073002 dealt with same type of problem. However, this vehicle was not included due to vin. *Ak dealer validated that the problem was a manufacturer's problem and agreed to replace defective belt system, however a representative decided that consumer needed to pay half of the costs. *Slc
The first 2 recalls were performed by blackwell dodge. Since this time, my seatbelts have malfunctioned on more than one occasion and are now non-working. With repeated calls to dodge, no help or solution has been obtained. The only response I have received through customer service and the customer service department at dodge is that is not their fault and they replaced the parts required of them by the recall. They claim the problem is with a "sender unit" and/or a "sensor problem" on the automatic shoulder...
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belt system. They were also quick to inform me that they are not responsible for those parts. Seatbelts are a matter of high priority. I feel dodge has installed defective parts and are aware of the problems, but refuse to do anything because they feel it is not their "problem". If their parts are defective, then they should be replace with new working parts at their expense. How can a car company not be responsible for the number one safety feature as required by law when it malfunctions? I hope this matter will be addressed because dodge is not and has not been helpful in this matter. I and my passengers are facing undo risk by the lack of working restraints. We are limited to the manual lapbelt. This issue needs to be investigate and remedied one way or another -- either by repairing the seatbelts to like new working condition or replacing these automatic nightmares with manual seatbelts. This is my second complaint because I never heard anything from the first one last year. Thank you. *Ak
Cable on the drivers side seat belt fell out of the guide rail, resulting in a seat belt the will not restrain properly. This same defect was recalled on the two door 1993 dodge colts but not on the four door colts according to the manufacturer.*Ak
Dodge re-called this car in 1995 to replace the transmission fluid hose, but did not solve the problem.*Ak
The right front motorbelt track wore out causing the cable to fall out, the motorbelt will not move. *Slc
Driver's side seat belt is inoperable due to the guiderail malfunctioning. Nhtsa recall 97v073002/ manufacturer's recall 728 dealt with same problem. This vehicle not included in recall. Both dealer and manufacturer refused to correct the problem. Please provide any further details.*Ak
Recall 97v073: guiderail. Remedy failed. *Ak seat belt failed several times before recall was issued and was fixed. It has failed again and fixed but continues to fail. *Yh
My colt first had troubles with the seatbelt in 1996. Tha automatic belts would get stuck or not move either forward or back. It was taken care of by the dealer at no charge. When I got the recall in jan1998 it again went in after just starting trouble again. Now in 2000 thedriver side has done it again. It has been fixed again for the third time. *Ak
Recall 97v073002/driver's side guide rail: passenger side cable dropped out of chamber and shoulder belt anchorage become stuck, leaving occupant without proper restraint. Manufacturer notified, and informed consumer that recall was only for driver's side, and any repairs would be at consumer cost. *Ak *ml
Recall 97v073002/ seat belt buckles. Two years after the recall had been performed the guide rail failed. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. Dealer will repair the vehicle at the owner's expense. *Ak
Recall 97v0730000; passenger's seatbelt malfunctioned, causing the seatbelt to become inoperative, which wont protect the occupant in event of a crash. Previously, the dealer fixed the seatbelt under recall repairs. But the problem has reoccurred. Problem repairs at chrysler's expense. *Ak *ml
The driver'side shoulder belt was replaced through recall in 1997. It had originally failed several months prior to that. At that time, I requested the passenger side shoulder belt also be replaced, but dealer informed me it was not included in recall. Since then, the passenger side shoulder belt had failed numerous times, in that it failed to retract as designed when I started the car. I could often make it deploy by opening and closing the door and "timing" the ignition just right--but this didn't always work....
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Finally, it failed completely; it has not worked at all for most of 1999. The driver's side also occasionally shows this symptom. But it also sometimes retracts while I'm driving, which puts it in a place where it restricts my ability to steer the car. Calls to fusz have only got me rude responses. This is an extremely dangerous situation. My passengers and I are not protected. I want to wear proper restraint--i don't need a law to tell me so--but I am prevented from it through faulty manufacturing and/or design. This is unacceptable. *Ak
Front lap belt has worn out, the material is unraveling on the side, and there is a hole in the middle. The parts are not being manufactured anymore. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak
Dodge issued a recall in 1997 on automatic seatbelts. I made an appointment and assumed that my seatbelts would be repaired completely (it is definitely a safety issue). I returned the next day to pick up my car. The driver's side automatic belt worked, but the passenger side did not. They said "we'll look at it again. It's probably just a crossed-wire". I went back to retrieve my car later in the day and neither the driver nor the passenger sides automatic seatbelts were working. I asked why. The repair...
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representative then said that dodge was only responsible for replacing the tracking of the automatic seatbelts and that nothing else was covered in the recall. I asked why neither belts were working now when one had been working properly earlier in the day. She then repeated that they were not responsible for that. I have contacted blackwell dodge and they refuse to help me in this matter. Seatbelts are required by law and in some states is becoming more common for police officers to issue tickets when they see you driving without your seatbelt. I only have a lap restraint and I do not feel comfortable with only a lap belt. I wish that dodge and all of the other manufacturers of these "automatic seatbelts" would replace these unpredicable devices with manual restraints found in all newly manufactured cars today. Thank you for your time. I hope something good can come of this situation. *Ak
Dodge Colt: every year compared
All Colt years1993 Dodge Colt vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 Dodge Colt | 113 | 2 | F | |
| 1993 Dodge Caravan | 962 | 10 | F | Compare |
| 1993 Dodge Intrepid | 415 | 5 | C | Compare |
| 1993 Dodge Grand Caravan | 289 | 9 | C | Compare |
| 1993 Dodge Dakota | 137 | 2 | B | Compare |
| 1993 Dodge Dynasty | 86 | 1 | C | Compare |
| 1993 Dodge Daytona | 19 | 1 | D | Compare |
| 1993 Dodge B250 | 10 | 1 | F | Compare |
| 1993 Dodge Dodge Truck | 6 | 0 | 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 1993 Dodge Colt
Does the 1993 Dodge Colt have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 1993 Dodge Colt: anchorage (May 1997); latch (May 1997). 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 1993 Dodge Colt?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the seats & seat belts (98), transmission & drivetrain (5), body, doors & structure (4).
How many complaints has the 1993 Dodge Colt had?
113 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on February 21, 1995 and the latest on January 31, 2012. Of these, 4 describe a crash and 0 a fire, and together they report 3 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1993 Dodge Colt a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 4 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 1993 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