Selling an old or non-running Dodge Colt

A Mitsubishi with Dodge badges

Per Wikipedia, the Colt was a subcompact that Mitsubishi Motors built and Dodge sold as a captive import from 1971 to 1994. Mitsubishi built it in Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan. Plymouth sold its own versions as the Champ and the Colt. The Neon replaced it.

The EPA lists the Colt from 1984 to 1994. In those years it came as a hatchback or sedan, the Colt Wagon, and the taller Colt Vista, with four-wheel drive offered on the wagon and Vista. The photo above shows a second-generation Colt Carousel hardtop, older than the cars in NHTSA's data here.

Problems by generation

1984: the end of the fourth generation

Wikipedia dates the fourth generation 1979-1984, with front-wheel drive and a 1.4-liter 4G12 engine. NHTSA holds one complaint on the 1984, about a seat belt.

1985-1988: the fifth generation and the buckle recall

Engines listed for this generation: a 1.5-liter G15B, a 1.6-liter 4G61 DOHC on the wagon, a 1.6-liter 4G32 turbo, and a 1.8-liter 4G37 on the 4x4 wagon. These years have 82 complaints, and on the 1986 and 1988, seat belts make up 21 of 26 and 21 of 25.

Recall 95V103003 covers 1986-1991 Colts. NHTSA says the red plastic release buttons marked "PRESS" on the front buckles can break, and pieces can fall into the buckle so it doesn't work right. Colt owners were asked to look at both front buckles. That campaign names 920,000 vehicles, and many other models are in that count.

1989-1992: the sixth generation

Wikipedia lists a 1.5-liter 4G15, which made up to 82 horsepower with multi-point fuel injection, and 1.6-liter 4G61 DOHC engines, with and without a turbo. Complaints drop: 83 across these four years. Seat belts still lead every year, from 25 of 33 on the 1989 down to 7 of 18 on the 1992. The 1990 holds the Colt's only death report.

1993-1994: the seventh generation and the belt spike

The 1993 has 113 complaints, more than the 1984 through 1988 combined. Seat belts account for 95. Two 1992-1993 recalls fit that picture:

• 97V063002: on the Colt, too much grease could deform the rubber boot over the door latch switch, so the shoulder belt anchorage stayed at the front pillar once the door closed. Dealers replaced the switch. Campaign: 46,000 vehicles.
• 97V073002: on the driver's side, the belt guide rail's covered cable and angled belt guide could, over time, wear against each other. Dealers installed a new guide rail. Campaign: 24,000 vehicles.

Both campaign counts may include other models. The 1994, the last year, has 19 complaints, and seat belts aren't among its top three: brakes and air bags are, at 3 each.

Complaints and recalls by model year

Colt figures reflect NHTSA's file on October 10, 2026. The newest Colts had a few less years of driving to draw reports than the oldest. 1984 and 1985 share a row.

Keep it or let it go?

Run the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether a belt recall is still open on your car. A belt that won't latch or release is a reason not to drive it until it's sorted.

For any other problem, get a written shop price and compare it with what running Colts of the same body style are listed for. Parts for a 30-year-old Mitsubishi-built car can take time to find, which counts too. If the car never got the restoration it was bought for, old project car covers that situation, and old or high mileage covers the rest.

Selling a Colt whole

1. Note the basics: VIN, mileage, body style (hatchback, wagon or Vista), and what's wrong.
2. Get an offer online, or call (877) 421-6008.
3. Say where it's parked. Barn, side yard, carport or curb all work. Let us know about any flat tires or brakes that have locked up. We offer free pickup anywhere in the US.
4. Don't strip it. Sell the whole car as it sits. If parts went to another project, tell us which.
5. Find the title. If it's lost after decades in a garage, start with selling with no title.

Other small Dodges: the Shadow, the Omni and the Mitsubishi-built Stealth, or every Dodge we cover.