1984 Plymouth Colt vista problems

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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.

The Colt was initially a rebadged variant of the rear-wheel drive Galant and Lancer families before shifting to the smaller front-wheel drive Mitsubishi Mirage subcompacts in 1979.

First generation (1971–1973)

Introduced in 1970 as a 1971 model, the first generation Dodge Colt was a federalized first-generation Mitsubishi Colt Galant. Available as a 2-door pillared coupe, 2-door hardtop coupe, 4-door sedan, and 5-door wagon, the Colt had a 1,597 cc (97.5 cu in) 4-cylinder engine. The unibody layout was traditional, front engine and rear-wheel drive with MacPherson struts in front and a live rear axle. Standard transmission was a 4-speed manual, with a 3-speed automatic being an option. The engine was initially rated for 100 hp (75 kW), but dropped to 83 hp (62 kW) in 1972 when manufacturers revised the method of measuring horsepower from gross to SAE net. For 1973, a GT hardtop coupe model was added featuring rally stripes, sport wheels, and a center console amongst other features. The Dodge Colt was Chrysler's response to the AMC Gremlin, Ford Pinto, and Chevrolet Vega. As a captive import from Mitsubishi, the Colt also competed directly with other Japanese imports, such as the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic and Datsun 1200.

1984 Plymouth Colt vista

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Common 1984 Plymouth Colt vista problems

Based on the information provided in the sources, here are common problems with the Plymouth Colt Vista 1984 based on complaints from owners:

  • High Repair Costs: Repairs on the Colt Vista were reported to be significantly more expensive compared to other vehicles. Owners mentioned that maintenance costs were four times higher than equivalent repairs on other cars, leading to financial burdens.
  • Lack of Demand for Non-Running Vehicles: Owners faced challenges when trying to sell non-running Colts like the Vista Wagon. Despite offering the car at a low price, there was zero demand for non-operational vehicles, making it difficult to recoup any value from the car.
  • Transmission Issues: Some owners experienced transmission problems, with reports of gears failing to work properly after high mileage. This issue could lead to drivability issues and the need for costly transmission repairs.
  • Oil Consumption and Smoking: Certain Colts, like the 1978 model, were reported to consume oil excessively and emit smoke, indicating potential engine wear and internal damage. This issue could lead to reduced engine performance and the need for frequent oil top-ups.
  • Interior Versatility vs. Reliability: While owners appreciated the versatile interior of the Colt Vista for activities like camping and carrying cargo, they also highlighted concerns about the overall reliability of the vehicle. The car's interior functionality was praised, but its mechanical reliability was questioned due to frequent breakdowns and high repair costs.

These common problems reported by owners of the Plymouth Colt Vista 1984 highlight various issues ranging from engine reliability to high repair costs and transmission issues. Addressing these concerns is crucial for owners to make informed decisions about maintenance and repairs to ensure the longevity and performance of their vehicles.

1984 Plymouth Colt vista engine

1984 Plymouth Colt vista car problems categorized by type of issue

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

  • Power train problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1984 Plymouth Colt vista vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

1984 Plymouth Colt vista complaints

The NHTSA has received 1 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1984 Plymouth Colt vista.

1995-12-27

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 1995-12-21
  • VIN: JP3BG39D4EZ
  • Components: POWER TRAIN
  • Summary: THE FRONT AXLE KEEPS SLIPPING AND CAUSES THE CAR TO ACT LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. PLEASE DESCRIBE. TT
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