Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA about the 1987 Dodge Colt, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 17 | 39% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 9 | 20% |
| Power train | 5 | 11% |
| Visibility | 4 | 9% |
| Equipment | 3 | 7% |
| Tires | 1 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 2% |
| Fuel system | 1 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 2% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN A 5" CHUNK OF TREAD CAME OFF THE TIRE AND EXPOSED THE STEEL BELTS IN THE TIRE. THE AIR STARTED TO LEAK OUT. *AK SOME TIME AFTER THE TREAD SEPARATED THE TIRE STA
NHTSA complaint: Tires
HELLO!I PURCHASED THIS 1987 DODGE COLT VISTA WAGON USED IN 1999 AND INITIALLY WHEN PURCHASED THE AUTO/TRANSMISSION FLOATED OUT OF GEAR IN A BUSY AREA AND WOULD NOT MOVE,UNTIL I PLAYED WITH THE LEVER,AND FINALLY IT JUMPED
NHTSA complaint: Power train
CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD LEAKS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE THROUGH VENTS CAUSING SAFETY HAZARD OF CARBON MONOXIDE FOR THOSE INSIDE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Engine and engine cooling
CONSUMER WAS IN A LIGHT REAR END ACCIDENT, AND AFTER CONTINUOUS DRIVING REAR AXLE BROKE. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Power train
RECALL REPAIR NOT PERFORMED ON FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES DUE TO LACK OF PARTS.
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
PLASTIC IN REAR AND CENTER SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAD DEGRADED. THIS VARIATION IS CAUSED BY POSSIBLE CONTACT OF SUN RAYS. *AK
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 1987 Dodge Colt. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY.
Risk: THE SAFETY BELTS WOULD NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO AN OCCUPANT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD ENSURE THAT BOTH BUCKLES A
| Reliability raw | 87 | excellent |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 80 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 90 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 60 | average |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 49 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 44 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 17 of them (39%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 87/100 (excellent) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 80/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1987 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.