1988 Dodge Colt problems

Common 1988 Dodge Colt problems

The Dodge Colt, produced by Mitsubishi and sold under the Dodge brand from 1971 to 1994, is known for its affordability and reliability. However, like any vehicle, it has certain common problems that owners have reported over the years.

One issue that has been noted is with the clutch, particularly in the earlier models. Some owners have reported having to replace the clutch multiple times, even with relatively low mileage. This could be due to a variety of factors, including the design of the clutch system, the driving habits of the owner, or the quality of the replacement parts used.

Another issue that has been reported is with the transmission. Some owners have reported problems with the automatic transmission, including slipping, jerking, and difficulty shifting. This could be due to a variety of factors, including the age of the transmission, the quality of the transmission fluid, or the driving habits of the owner.

The engine has also been known to have issues, particularly with the timing belt. Some owners have reported problems with the timing belt breaking or slipping, which can cause serious engine damage if not addressed promptly. This is an issue that is common to many vehicles with timing belts, and is not unique to the Dodge Colt.

The brakes have also been known to cause problems for some owners. Some have reported issues with the brake pads wearing out quickly, or with the brake rotors warping or cracking. This could be due to a variety of factors, including the quality of the brake pads and rotors, the driving habits of the owner, or the condition of the brake system.

Finally, some owners have reported problems with the electrical system, including issues with the battery, alternator, and starter motor. This could be due to a variety of factors, including the age of the vehicle, the quality of the electrical components, or the driving habits of the owner.

In conclusion, while the Dodge Colt is known for its affordability and reliability, it is not without its common problems. These include issues with the clutch, transmission, engine, brakes, and electrical system. However, many of these issues can be addressed through regular maintenance and the use of high-quality replacement parts.

Are Mitsubishi Colts reliable?

It's super reliable, cheap to run, and it very nippy around town! The engine runs smoothly, and if you get the cz2 model you even get cruise control and reversing sensors. Engine doesn't have a timing belt so you don't have to worry about a £500 bill every 50k miles!

What is the Plymouth version of the Dodge Colt?

The Dodge Colt is a subcompact car that was manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors and marketed by Dodge for model years 1971 to 1994 as captive imports. Rebadged variants include the Plymouth Champ and Plymouth Colt, both were marketed by Plymouth.

How long do Mitsubishi engines last?

On average, a well-maintained Mitsubishi can last you a good 200,000 miles or more, which is pretty standard for modern vehicles.

How reliable are Mitsubishi engines and transmissions?

Dependability

J.D. Power ranked Mitsubishi among the top 10 brands in its 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study. Indeed, Mitsubishi ranked a spot higher than Toyota in the study. However, no Mitsubishi vehicles outshone a Toyota equivalent in any segment.

What happened to the Dodge Colt?

The Colt sedan was not sold in the United States for the sixth generation (though it was sold in Canada), as it would be replaced by the Dodge Shadow/Plymouth Sundance liftbacks in the Dodge/Plymouth lineup for 1989. The sedan bodywork, however, was available to American consumers as an Eagle Summit.

What happened to Colt cars?

For the first decade of its existence, British market Mitsubishis were sold under the "Colt" marque until the rebranding to Mitsubishi, which then brought the marque in line with the rest of the world.

What is the sister car of the Dodge Colt?

The Dodge Colt had a twin sister in the Plymouth Colt and siblings in the Mitsubishi Mirage and Eagle Summit.

Is Colt a reliable car?

Although the Colt has become a whole lot more interesting, the reliability factor remains, making the Mitsubishi one of the best used supermini choices around.

1988 Dodge Colt car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Colt problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

• Seat belts problems
• Power train problems
• Tires problems
• Fuel system problems
• Gasoline problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1988 Dodge Colt vehicle components and the number of complaints received.