Total Complaints
23 filings
DODGE COLT · model year
1994 DODGE COLT
23 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1994DODGECOLT carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1994 COLT is power train:automatic transmission with 3 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (2) and air bags:frontal (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 20 investigation files overlapping the 1994 COLT, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
23
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 2 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS | 1 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 1 |
Recent Complaints
20040930STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
THE STEERING WHEEL CAME OFF WHILE PARKING. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK
Mileage: 1,000
20031010AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND GEAR, WON'T SHIFT, AND MAKES LOUD NOISE. ALSO, CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF AN AIR BAG SYSTEM PROBLEM. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
20031010POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHILE DRIVING TRANSMISSION DOESN'T SHIFT PROPERLY FROM THE FIRST TO THE SECOND GEAR, WON'T SHIFT, AND MAKES LOUD NOISE. ALSO, CONSUMER COMPLAINED OF AN AIR BAG SYSTEM PROBLEM. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
20010504SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
20000823ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE HEAD GASKET WOULD KEEP LEAKING OIL. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR LEAKING GASKET. EACH TIME WOULD BE REPAIRED & THEN PROBLEM WOULD REAPPEAR AGAIN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING TO SHIFT PROPERLY.*AK THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM CONTINUED AND NOW THREE HEAD GASKET HAVE CRACKED. THE AIR CONDITIONER, MASTER CYLINDER, TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNTS ALSO FAILED. *YH
20000823SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
ENGINE HEAD GASKET WOULD KEEP LEAKING OIL. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR LEAKING GASKET. EACH TIME WOULD BE REPAIRED & THEN PROBLEM WOULD REAPPEAR AGAIN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING TO SHIFT PROPERLY.*AK THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM CONTINUED AND NOW THREE HEAD GASKET HAVE CRACKED. THE AIR CONDITIONER, MASTER CYLINDER, TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNTS ALSO FAILED. *YH
20000823POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
ENGINE HEAD GASKET WOULD KEEP LEAKING OIL. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR LEAKING GASKET. EACH TIME WOULD BE REPAIRED & THEN PROBLEM WOULD REAPPEAR AGAIN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING TO SHIFT PROPERLY.*AK THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM CONTINUED AND NOW THREE HEAD GASKET HAVE CRACKED. THE AIR CONDITIONER, MASTER CYLINDER, TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNTS ALSO FAILED. *YH
20000823EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ENGINE HEAD GASKET WOULD KEEP LEAKING OIL. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST 5 DIFFERENT TIMES FOR LEAKING GASKET. EACH TIME WOULD BE REPAIRED & THEN PROBLEM WOULD REAPPEAR AGAIN. ALSO, TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING TO SHIFT PROPERLY.*AK THE HEAD GASKET PROBLEM CONTINUED AND NOW THREE HEAD GASKET HAVE CRACKED. THE AIR CONDITIONER, MASTER CYLINDER, TRANSMISSION AND MOTOR MOUNTS ALSO FAILED. *YH
20000427SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT USED LAST FEB 24, 2000. ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE PASSED SAFETY INSPECTION. LAST APRIL 18, CAR WAS SENT TO A TIRE DEALER FOR TIRE REPLACEMENT. MECHANICS FOUND A HUGE CRACK ON FRAME AT REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM PROBABLY CAUSED BY METAL FATIGUE.. FURTHER VISUAL INSPECTION INDICATE THAT CAR DID NOT ENGAGE IN A COLLISION AND THAT CRACK COULD BE CAUSED BY IMPROPER WELDING DURING ASSEMBLY. ADVISED TO TAKE VEHICLE OFF ROAD IMMEDIATELY FOR SAFETY REASONS. *AK
20000420SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
TOOK VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC, AND THEY TOLD CONSUMER THAT THERE WAS A BIG CRACK IN THE FRAME OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. IF DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY CAR COULD LOSE CONTROL. *AK
20000223CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WHILE TRAVELING ON THE STREET AT 35 MPH. NO POTHOLE OR BUMP. VEHICLE WAS ROLLED OVER AT THE TIME OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
19981029FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
A FUEL SMELL CONSUMES THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
19980611SEATS
WHILE DRIVING BOLTS THAT HOLD DRIVER'S SEAT TO VEHICLE CHASSIS BROKE. METAL HAS TORN AWAY FROM CHASSIS. DEALERS NOTED POSSIBLE MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *AK
19980126ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
WHILE MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY GOING 50-55 MPH THE CAR JUST COMPLETELY CUT OFF, LOST ALL POWER EXCEPT FOR THE LIGHTS. WHEN VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MECHANIC, MECHANIC STATED THAT COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS COMPELETELY DEAD. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. *AK
19970625CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING SERIOUS BURNS TO THE STOMACH AREA, AND SHIRT WAS ALSO BURNED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
19970102ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START, EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER AT VARIOUS TIMES, HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, SEVERAL TIMES, WHO COULD NOT FIND OR FIX PROBLEM, BUT WOULD REPLACE PARTS. SENDING INVOICES. *AK
19960819SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS TWICE AND REAR BRAKE SHOES TWICE. CONSUMER IS DOING THIS EVERY SIX MONTHS.*AK
19960819SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS TWICE AND REAR BRAKE SHOES TWICE. CONSUMER IS DOING THIS EVERY SIX MONTHS.*AK
19960601SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
DRIVERS SEAT SHOULDER HARNESS TOO FAR BACK, SEAT BELT TWISTS/JAMS IN GUIDE WHEN PULLED FORWARD. *DSH
19960229FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL LINE ROUTED UNDER VEHICLE RUPTURED, STALLING VEHICLE. TT
Compare 1994DODGECOLT to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations 1 Open
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1994 DODGE COLT have?▼
The 1994 DODGE COLT has 23 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1994 DODGE COLT?▼
The most-complained component for the 1994 DODGE COLT is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 1994 DODGE COLT safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.