NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Retractor
1040.0%
Anchorage
520.0%
Switch
28.0%
Engine
28.0%
Buckle Assembly
28.0%
Automatic Transmission
28.0%
Front
14.0%
Column Shift
14.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
May 1995peak 5Apr 2002
NHTSA investigations into the 1993 Plymouth Colt
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP03002Opened 7 May 2003Closed 22 Jul 2003STEERING:COLUMN
STEERING COLUMN SEPARATION
MR. LARRY A. SACKEY SUBMITTED A PETITION TO THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) BY LETTER DATED APRIL 18, 2003, REQUESTING THAT NHTSAFURTHER INVESTIGATE THE DEFECTIVE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT SYSTEM ON 1987-1995 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY THE DAIMLERCHRYSLER CORPORATION.IN PART BECAUSE OF 49 CFR ? 30120(G), NHTSA HAS DECIDED TO LIMIT THE SCOPE OF THE PETITION VEHICLES TO 1993-1995 MODELS, EXCLUDING THE 1993 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND 1994-1995 DODGE RAM SERIES TRUCKS THAT WERE RECALLED (93V210 & 96V230) FOR STEERING COLUMN FAILURE.IF THE ANALYSIS OF THESE VEHICLES HAD IDENT...
EA96014Opened 28 Jun 1996Closed 12 Jun 1997SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS
PE96007Opened 19 Jan 1996Closed 28 Jun 1996SEAT BELTS
AUTO SHOULDER BELT FAILURE
THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ALLEGEDLY MALFUNCTIONS OR FAILS
Recalls on the 1993 Plymouth Colt
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
98V168003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: ALL WHEEL DRIVE PASSENGER VEHICLES. LOCKUP OF THE TRANSFER CASE CAN OCCUR DUE TO INSUFFICIENT LUBRICATION.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
97V073002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THE GUIDE RAIL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTAINS A COVERED CABLE AND ALSO AN ANGLED BELT GUIDE AT THE TOP END OF THE WEBBING. THE COMBINATION OF THESE FACTORS CAN LEAD, OVER TIME, TO THE CABLE'S MOVEMENT EXERTING ABRADING FORCE TO THE LOWER EDGES OF THE CABLE'S CHAMBER, SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE CABLE TO DROP OUT OF THE CHAMBER WITH THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE BECOMING STUCK.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
97V063002
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
EXCESS LUBRICATION CAN CAUSE THE RUBBER DOOR LATCH SWITCH COVER TO DEFORM, AND THE DOOR LATCH SWITCH TO MALFUNCTION, SO THAT THE SHOULDER BELT ANCHORAGE WOULD REMAIN AT THE A-PILLAR WHEN THE DOOR WAS CLOSED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Machesney Park, IL
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
WHEN CONSUMER IS ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE VEHICLE DOOR, THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE WILL NOT RETRACT, THE AUTOMATIC SHOULDER BELT WILL TRAVEL APPROXIMATELY 4 INCHES AND STOP, WHEN THE DOOR IS OPENED, BELT STAYS IN FORWARD POSITION AT ALL TIMES AND A CLICKING NOISE IS HEARD. THERE IS A RECALL CAMPAIGN #97V073002 FOR THIS CONDITION. *AK
NHTSA complaint #8008190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Erie, PA
SEAT BELTS
SEAT BELT IS INOPERABLE SINCE SIDE GUIDE RAIL IS DEFECTIVE, WIRE FROM SEAT BELT IS SHOWING. THERE IS A RECALL 07V073OOO FOR THIS PROBLEM. ) BUT MANUFACTURER CLAIMS THAT ONLY TWO DOOR VEHICLES ARE INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #894243 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vestal, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
BACK IN 1997 SEATBELT GOT STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION AND BEGAN MAKING A CLICKING NOISE. DEALER INSTALLED BELT FOR REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN IN APRIL2000, AND WAS COVERED UNDER A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL. REPAIRS FOR RECALL STATED "TRACK PACKAGE". SEATBELT IS NOW STUCK AGAIN. DEALER WILL REPAIR SEA TBELT AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE ONLY. *AK THE SHOULDER BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE WAS ALSO FRAYING QUITE RAPIDLY AND THE SHOULDER BELT WAS NOW STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION.
NHTSA complaint #891489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marshfeild, WI
SEAT BELTS
THERE IS RECALL 97V0730002 ON DRIVERS SIDE GUIDE RAIL CONSUMER'S VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL DUE TO VIN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #888129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Santa Rosa, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THIS FAILURE IS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V073002. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO SANTA ROSA DODGE, WHO HAD ORIGINALLY REPAIRED THIS PROBLEM WHEN THE RECALL WAS MADE IN 1997. THIS TIME THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAID FOR IT. IO CONTACTED THE MANUFATURER AT THE NUMBER PROVIDED ON THE RECALL NOTICE AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO FOR ME (THEY GO BY WHAT THE DEALER SAYS). AT THIS TIME I HAVE TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT BECAUSE THIS DEALER WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #739486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT WAS STUCK. SHE COULD PUSH ON THE BOTTON TO RELEASE AND UNRELEASE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.*AK AFTER THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILED, THE CUSTOMER BEGAN TO MANUALLY BUCKLE THE SHOULDER STRAP BUT THE CABLE BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S BLIND SPOT MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO MAKE A TURN.
NHTSA complaint #870305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TN
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
DRIVER'S SIDE AUTOMATIC SEATBELT WAS STUCK. SHE COULD PUSH ON THE BOTTON TO RELEASE AND UNRELEASE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED.*AK AFTER THE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT FAILED, THE CUSTOMER BEGAN TO MANUALLY BUCKLE THE SHOULDER STRAP BUT THE CABLE BLOCKS THE DRIVER'S BLIND SPOT MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO MAKE A TURN.
NHTSA complaint #870305 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, IN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
KEY STICKING INTO THE IGNITION SWICH, AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE UNLESS THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON IS PUSHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAIL.
NHTSA complaint #866656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Seymour, IN
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
KEY STICKING INTO THE IGNITION SWICH, AND TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING PROPERLY. IT WILL NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE UNLESS THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON IS PUSHED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFED, AND INFORMED CONSUMER NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAIL.
NHTSA complaint #866656 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aspen Hill, MD
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
THE HEAD GASKET FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #784677 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Grantsville, MD
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL MAKES A CLICKING LIKE SOUND WHEN DRIVING. THIS IS BECAUSE OF A BAD TRANSFER CASE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #860404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Laurel, MD
SEAT BELTS
DRIVER'S SIDE MOTOR BELT TRACK IS BROKEN, CAUSING THE BELT NOT TO MOVE INTO A FORWARD POSITION, AND LEAVING DRIVER WITHOUT SAFETY RESTRAINT. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND REFUSED TO REPAIR UNLESS COST GOED TO CONSUMER.
NHTSA complaint #860204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Barstow, CA
SEAT BELTS
ON 3 OCCASIONS I HAVE HAD THE CABLE POP OUT OF THE TRACK ON THE RETRACKABLE SEAT BELT SYSTEM IN MY COLT. THERE WAS A RECALL OF THIS ITEM IN 1997. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL DEALER JIM SOUTARS CHRYSLER, TO HAVE THE RECALL DONE. OPON RETURN OF THE CAR AFTER THE RECALL WORK ,IT LOOKED LIKE ALL SOUTARS HAD DONE WAS TO GREASE THE CABLE GUIDE, AND THE CABLE GUIDE WAS NOT CHANGED TO THE DOUBLE LIP DUST SEAL ANODIC OXIDE COATED TRACK .I LOOKED AT THE TRACK BEFORE IT WAS TAKEN IN, AND IT WAS THE SAME TRACK! NOW THAT THE CABLE HAS POPPED OUT AGAIN SOUTARS WANT TO CHARGE ME 685.00 PLUS LABOR TO FIX THE DRIVERS SIDE BELT ONLY. ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 97V073002, WE DID NOT RECEIVETHE REPLACEMENTS ONLY A GREASE JOB !!!. AS A MOTHER I AM NOT ONLY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY, BUT ALSO FOR MY CHILDREN. I FIND IT INEXCUSABLE THAT ME AND MY CHILDRENS LIVES ARE SO MEANINGLESS TO CHRYSLER AND THERE REPRESENTATIVES!!!
NHTSA complaint #720725 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Jervis, NY
SEAT BELTS
BOTH SIDE OF THE AUTOMATIC SEATBELTS HAVE BROKEN AGAIN, THE DRIVERS SIDE AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND A GUST OF WIND HIT THE CAR AND THE SEATBELT RETRACTED. THE PASSENGER SIDE BROKE A FEW DAYS LATER, IT WAS FIXED ON THE ORIGINAL RECALL BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #719310 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Orwell, NY
SEAT BELTS
I HAVE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVERS SIDE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT IN MY 1993 PLYMOUTH COLT. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT WILL WORK AND THERE ARE TIMES WHEN IT WILL NOT EVEN MOVE BACK, LEAVING ME THE DRIVER UNPROTECTED INA CRASH. I HAVE BEEN BACK AND FORTH WITH BOTH MISUBISHI AND PLYMOUTH, PLYMOUTH BEING THE ONES WHO ARE REFUSING TO HELP ME OUT HERE. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE GUIDE RAIL ON THE MOTORIZED SEAT BELT, BUT THAT IS ONLY FOR THE 2 DOOR MODEL, AND WITH MINE BEING A 4 DOOR, NO ONE WILL HELP ME OUT. THE FACT BEING THAT THE 2 AND 4 DOOR MODLE USE THE EXACT SAME FRAME, SO THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NO DIFFERENCE WHATSOEVER......SO I THERE ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE.I AM NOT INTERESTED IN GETTING INJURED IN ANACCIDENT BECAUSE I HAVE A FAULTY SEAT BELT, AND BECAUSE MY CAR DOES NOT FIT THE RECALL FOR THE 2 DOOR BECAUSE IT IS A 4 DOOR, THAT IS NOT RIGHT.
NHTSA complaint #717815 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Jervis, NY
SEAT BELTS
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 97V073002. CONTACTED DEALERSHIP. TOOK VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS FOR DRIVER'S SIDE GUIDE RAILS. TWO YEARS LATER, PROBLEM WITH GUIDE RAILS HAS REAPPEARED. DEALER INDICATED RECALL WAS FOR THE MOTOR & NOT CABLE ON SHOULDER BELT.
NHTSA complaint #854527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Jervis, NY
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SEATBELT DISENGAGED WHEN A GUST OF WIND HIT MY CAR DRIVING DOWN RT 84 IN MIDDLETOWN, NY. IT WENT IN THE POSITION OF BEING HALFWAY DEPLOYED AND STAYED THAT WAY FOR APPROX 14 MILES AS I DROVE HOME. IT DID NOT BECOME FULLY DISENGAGED UNTIL I REACHED HOME AND AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. NOW WHEN WE ENTER THE CAR IT WILL ONLY ENGAGE HALFWAY AND THE CABLE IS NOT STICKING OUT OF THE RUNNER FOR THE BELT. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO A LOCAL CHRYSLER DEALER (PORT JERVIS AUTOMALL), AND THEY TOLD US THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS FOR THE MOTOR OF THE SEATBELT NOT A CABLE ISSUE. HOWEVER WHEN I CONTACTED YOUR OFFICE I WAS TOLD DIFFERENTLY, I THEN CONTACTED CHRYSLER AGAIN AND WAS TOLD AGAIN IT WAS A MOTOR ISSUE, NOT A CABLE ISSUE FOR THE ORIGINAL RECALL OF AUGUST 1997. I AGAIN CALLED CHRYSLER AT THE NUMBER YOU PROVIDE ON THE RECALL SHEETS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A GUIDE RAIL PROBLEM NOT A MOTOR PROBLEM. SO AS YOU CAN SEE I WAS LIED TO BY CHRYSLER. THEY SAY THAT IT IS THE CABLE NOT THE GUIDE RAIL THAT IS BROKEN. HOWEVER, AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED IT SHOULD MAKE NO DIFFERENCE, AS THE SEAT BELTS ARE THERE FOR OUR SAFETY AND SHOULD WORK NO MATTER WHAT. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO AS IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF YOUR SEATBELTS DON'T WORK THEN YOU ARE NOT SAFE DRIVING YOUR CAR AND I BELIEVE THAT I CANNOT BE THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #715909 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Omaha, NE
SEATS
AUTOMATIC PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT WIRING FELL OUT OF TRACK. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD A RECALL ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BELT AND THE SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT. WE NEED THE SEAT BELT FOR SAFETY MEASURE WHEN WE DRIVE THE CAR. THANK YOU KELLY BARTUNEK
NHTSA complaint #713983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baldwin, NY
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
THE VEHICLE IS INCLUDED UNDET NHTSA RECALL# 97V073 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 728 CONCERNING SEAT BELT BUCKLE. THE DEALER HAS ORDERED THE WRONG PARTS TO REPAIR VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #848907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hialeah, LA
STRUCTURE
A FEW MONTHS AGO THE ROOF ON MY CAR STARTED TO DEVELOP RUST IN STRAIGHT LINES ACROSS IT. IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN I VISITED MARRONE DODGE TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE. THIS WAS BACK ON APRIL 8TH, 1999. I WAS TOLD BY THEIR BODY SHOP THAT THE ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SUPPORTING BRACKETS. SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME FINDING THE BRACKETS AND SINCE MY CAR IN THEIR ESTIMATE WAS ONLY WORTH $900, THEY OFFERED ME A "GOOD WILL" OFFER OF $1000 TO GET THE REPAIRS DONE SOMEWHERE ELSE AND SIGN DOCUMENT RELEASING CHRYSLER OF ANY FUTURE LIABILITY. I MAILED A CERTIFIED LETTER TO THEIR CUSTUMER SERVICE MANAGER ALONG WITH 3 ESTIMATES FROM 3 DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS. ALL OF THEM WERE OVER $1600. SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THE REPAIRS MAY TAKE UP TO A MONTH AND I WOULD NOT BE PROVIDED WITH A LOANER CAR. IN THE LETTER I EXPLINED THE 3 BODY SHOPS WOULD NOT TAKE MORE THAN 3-5 DAYS TO DO THE REPAIRS ONCE THE PARTS HAD ARRIVED. I WANT THEM TO FIX THE ROOF WITH THE LEAST INCONVENIENCE TO ME. I HAVE ALREADY SEEN A 1993 MITSUBISHI MIRAGE AND ANOTHER1993 PLYMOUTH COLT WITH THE SAME TYPE OF RUST ON THE ROOF. AS OF TODAY 9/28/99 I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE FROM THE MAROONE DODGE IN REGARDS TO MY LETTER AND HOW THEY PLAN TO RESOLVE THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #712405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Springville, UT
SEAT BELTS
GUIDE RAIL ON THE PASSENGER'S MOTORIZED SHOULDER BELT SYSTEM CONTAINS A COVERED CABLE AND ALSO AN ANGLED BELT GUIDE AT THE TOP END OF THE WEBBING. THIS HAD A RECALL FOR THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT SYSTEM, BUT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WAS NOT INCLUDED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #843407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Canon City, CO
SEAT BELTS
MOTOR IN DRIVER'S AUTOMATIC SEAT BELT HAS WORN OUT WITHIN 40,000 MILES, CAUSING A LOSS OF PROTECTION.
NHTSA complaint #838255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Venture, CA
SEAT BELTS
AUTOMATIC SEAT BELTS ON THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDES BIND WHEN RETRACTING. THE RETRACTING MECHANISM DOES NOT RELEASE THE BELT. THIS HAS CAUSED FRAYING OF THE BELT ON DRIVER'S SIDE. DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THIS SITUATION.
NHTSA complaint #837686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Midlothian, VA
SEAT BELTS
PASSENGER SIDE MOTORIZED BELT ASSEMBLY DOES NOT FUNCTION. SOUNDS LIKE THE SAME PROBLEM FOR WHICH NHTSA ORDERED RECALL FOR DRIVER'S SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #705743 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aurora, CO
SEAT BELTS
RECALL PERFORMED ON MOTOR BELTS, HOWEVER DID NOT RECTIFY FAILURE, ADDITIONAL REPAIRS OF THE TRACK ASSEMBLY REQUIRED.
NHTSA complaint #528843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.