Dodge Vista problems

Common Dodge Vista problems

The Dodge Vista, also known as the Plymouth Colt Vista and Eagle Summit Wagon, is a compact car that was produced from 1984 to 1996. It was a captive import, meaning it was built by Mitsubishi and sold by Chrysler under different names. The Vista was known for its spacious interior, boxy design, and versatility. However, there are several common problems that have been reported by owners of this car.

One common problem with the Dodge Vista is the failure of the rear counter shaft bearing in the transmission. This is a very common failure on the 4WD Vista's, as reported by a reviewer who experienced this issue on their 1989 Dodge Colt Vista 4WD Wagon 2.0. The rear counter shaft bearing is responsible for supporting the transmission gears and allowing them to rotate smoothly. When it fails, the transmission can become difficult or impossible to shift, as was the case with the reviewer's car. They had to remove the oil slinger, install a new bearing, clean up the transmission, and spend five hours reinstalling it in order to fix the problem.

Another common problem with the Dodge Vista is a plugged catalytic converter. This was another issue reported by the same reviewer, who found that their car had very little power due to a plugged catalytic converter. The catalytic converter is a device that is designed to reduce harmful emissions from the car's exhaust. When it becomes plugged, it can restrict the flow of exhaust gases and cause the engine to run poorly. Replacing the converter and doing a tune-up can help to solve this problem, as the reviewer found.

A third common problem with the Dodge Vista is the failure of the switch on the shift linkage for the overdrive 5th gear. This was an issue that was reported by a reviewer who had a 1989 Dodge Colt Vista 4WD Wagon 2.0. When the switch failed, they found that 5th gear no longer worked. They were able to manually move 5th gear into position and leave it there, which resulted in a change in gear ratios for all the other gears and moved overdrive to the 4th gear position. This seemed to work better for them, but it is not an ideal solution.

In addition to these specific problems, the Dodge Vista has also been criticized for its lack of muscle and its tendency to tilt when taking turns or going up steep hills. It has also been noted that the car's doors are very thin, which can make it feel less safe. Despite these issues, the Dodge Vista has been praised for its spacious interior, versatility, and fuel efficiency. It is a compact car that can seat up to five passengers and has a lot of cargo space when the seats are folded down. It is also known for its quiet ride and good handling, making it a good choice for those who need a practical and reliable car.