1989 Plymouth Colt problems
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.
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Common 1989 Plymouth Colt problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1989 Plymouth Colt, several common problems have been reported:
- Spark Knock and Poor Gas Mileage: Some owners have reported spark knock issues, particularly during acceleration to highway speeds, along with poor gas mileage. This problem can be attributed to engine performance issues, potentially related to fuel quality, ignition timing, or carbon buildup. Recommendations include checking and adjusting the ignition timing, using the correct octane fuel, and considering a valve job to address carbon buildup.
- Braking and Steering Issues: Complaints have been made about steering problems, particularly in cold weather, where the power steering seems to get stuck, making it difficult to steer the car initially. This issue could be related to various components within the steering system, and proper diagnosis by a mechanic is recommended to identify the specific cause and necessary repairs.
- Electrical Problems: Owners have reported instances where the vehicle fails to start, experiences rough engine running, and even complete engine failure. These issues could be linked to weak batteries, alternator malfunctions, or short circuits. It is advised to conduct a thorough electrical check-up at an auto electric shop to diagnose and address any underlying electrical issues promptly.
These common problems with the 1989 Plymouth Colt highlight various mechanical and performance issues that owners have faced. Addressing these concerns promptly through proper diagnosis and necessary repairs is crucial to ensure the vehicle's optimal performance and safety on the road.
1989 Plymouth Colt car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Plymouth Colt problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Seat belts problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Power train problems
- Exterior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1989 Plymouth Colt vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1989 Plymouth Colt complaints
The NHTSA has received 13 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1989 Plymouth Colt.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-07-01
- VIN: JP3CU24X7KU
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: LEFT REAR SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILED TO LATCH PRIOR TO RECALL 95V-103.003. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-11-23
- Fire: 1
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: VEHICLE FIRE. (OHIO STATE POLICE REPORT)
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JB3CU34X2KU
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: RECALL ON SEAT BELTS NOT PERFORM DUE TO DEALERSHIP PROBLEMS.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JB3CU34X2KU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: RADIATOR FAILED.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-15
- VIN: 3B3CU24XOKU
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: SEAT BELT BUCKLE RECALL WORK NOT COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-01-01
- VIN: JP3CU24X2KU
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: PE96-007, AUTOMATIC LAP/SHOULDER BELT FAILURE, WILL NOT RETRACT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (OTHER VEHICLE FROM (985817). *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-23
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: JP3CU24X6KU
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: MOTORIZED SEAT BELT DOES NOT RELEASE, CAUSING THE PERSON TO CHOKE. *SD
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1996-05-08
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT NO LONGER RETRACTS ON THE TRACT CONSISTANTLY. PLEASE DESCRIBE. *AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-07-18
- VIN: JP3CU14X7KU
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: THE MANUFACTURER ASSEMBLED THE VEHICLE WITH A WRONG REAR AXLE, BEARINGS WERE MISMATCHED ON VEHICLE REAR AXLE. TT
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-11-07
- VIN: JP3CU24XXKU
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: WIRING IN BRAKE LIGHTS SCREWED INTO PLASTIC HOUSING OF TAIL LIGHT MELTED, CAUSING CONNECTION TO BE INTERMITTENT. TT
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: JP3CU14X2KU
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: THE DRIVER'S LAP/SHOULDER SEAT BELT, MALE END WILL NOT LOCK INTO FEMALE END. TT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1994-08-24
- VIN: JP3CU54Z3KU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: ENGINE REBUILT.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1995-02-15
- VIN: JP3CU54Z3KU
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: TIMING BELT FAILED 4 TIMES, ALSO GASKETS/PISTONS/RINGS AND VALVES NEED TO BE REPLACED. *SKD
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