1990-1992 Dodge Colt: Full Review

Updated: 11/23/08

1990 Dodge Colt GT 2-door hatchback
1992 Dodge Colt
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1990-1992 Dodge Colt ▼

  • Price Range:  $0 - $800
CG Rating

38

out of 100

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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 1990-1992 Dodge Colt and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.

Pros

  • Acceleration (dual-cam engine)
  • 4WD traction (wagon)
  • Fuel economy
  • Maneuverability

Cons

  • Cargo room (hatchback)
  • Acceleration (w/automatic transmission)
  • Rear-seat room (hatchback)

Vehicle Highlights

The 4-door body style had disappeared in 1989, as the Dodge/Plymouth Colt duo took on a new Mitsubishi-built 2-door hatchback form: rounder, longer, wider, and taller. Rear leg room and cargo space grew, and three trim levels were available: base, mid-level GL, and GT. Colts were sold in identical form under the Dodge and Plymouth badges. The closely-related Eagle Summit came only in a 4-door body style, while the Mitsubishi Mirage came as both a 2-door and 4-door. Standard engine on base 2-doors was a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder, making 81 horsepower, with a 4-speed manual gearbox. Colt Gts got a 113-horsepower, 1.6-liter four with a standard 5-speed. All but the base Colt might have an automatic transmission, either 3- or 4-speed, depending on engine. Carried over largely unchanged from the prior generation, the 4-door Colt DL station wagon could have full-time 4-wheel drive. 4WD wagons carried a bigger, 87-horsepower engine (manual shift only), while 2WD wagons had the same 1.5-liter four as the hatchback--but producing 75 horsepower instead of 81. The permanently engaged 4WD system used a center differential with a viscous coupling to split power between front and rear axles as needed to maintain traction. 4WD wagon bodies were raised about two inches to provide additional ground clearance.

Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category Dodge Colt wagon 1.5-liter auto Rating
Performance 2
Fuel Economy 7
Ride Quality 3
Steering/Handling/Braking 3
Quietness 3
Controls/Materials 3
Interior Room 4
Room/Comfort (rear) 3
Cargo Capacity 6
Value within Class 4
Total Score: 38
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 1990-1992 Dodge Colt. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 1990-1992 Dodge Colt.

Year to Year Changes


1991 Dodge Colt: For 1991, Colt dropped to a 2-door hatchback only, abandoning the station wagon body and also the GT edition. The basic 1.5-liter 4-cylinder got a horsepower boost to 92 horsepower by virtue of a new 3-valve-per-cylinder design.
1992 Dodge Colt: Except for fewer options, Colts changed little this year.

Our road test for the 1990-1992 Dodge Colt includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 1990-1992 Dodge Colt and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 1990-1992 Dodge Colt is right for you.

Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation

The base model with a 4-speed gearbox and manual steering has a pleasing, no-nonsense manner, though it comes across as strictly a bare-bones stripper. The 1990 GT with its dual-cam engine is slick and quick, with fluid clutch and gearshift action, direct steering, a rev-happy engine, and stick-to-the-road handling. All-disc brakes are another "plus" for that GT's performance package. Power is adequate on the 1990 station wagon, through liberal use of the 5-speed gearshift. Acceleration and gas mileage of any Colt model suffer with automatic, but economy is a major plus in any configuration. Stick with manual shift to get the most performance at the least cost for daily driving. As for economy, a 2-wheel-drive 1990 DL station wagon with automatic and the 75-horsepower engine averaged 25.7 miles per gallon. Visibility and controls are great, and the driving position is comfortable. All gauges and controls are within sight and reach. Interiors are on the plasticky side, and some body panels have a tinny feel. Front shoulder belts are anchored to the doors, and are a hassle when getting in or out. Getting into the hatchback's rear seat also can be a chore. Four adults can ride in fair comfort, limited only by tight head and leg room in the back of a hatchback. Space is decent up front for grownups, without feeling cramped, but the back seat is really best for youngsters. Those 1990 wagons have more space all around, and the 4WD version offers traction on loose gravel or wet pavement.
Value for the Money
Economical and easy to maneuver, Colts are worth a try. These early '90s Colts ranked as "sleepers" in their class--especially the 4WD wagon.

Expert Ratings Summary

Category Dodge Colt wagon 1.5-liter auto Rating
Performance 2
Fuel Economy 7
Ride Quality 3
Steering/Handling/Braking 3
Quietness 3
Controls/Materials 3
Interior Room 4
Room/Comfort (rear) 3
Cargo Capacity 6
Value within Class 4
Total Score: 38

Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room, Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Dodge Colt includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Dodge Colt .

Trouble Spots

Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer, however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.

Automatic transmission: No second gear and/or a loud tapping noise when shifted into or out of any forward range. (1991-92)

Automatic transmission: Hard shifting and gear clash may be eliminated by installing revised synchronizer components. (1991)

Engine misfire: Surging between 45 and 55 mph on cars with 1.5-liter engine, may be a result of the wrong transmission fluid. (1990)

Engine misfire: Oil and carbon build up in the air cleaner and airflow sensor causes hesitation and stalling when cold and surging when warm on 1.5-liter engines. A revised valve cover corrects the problem. (1990)

Engine noise: Carbon build-up on the pistons causing light tapping to heavy knock on 1.5-liter engines and can be blamed on the gasoline. Regular use of fuel injector cleaner may reduce the buildup. (1990-92)

Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs

This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership to be slightly higher.
Item Name Repair Cost
A/C Compressor $725
Alternator $685
Automatic Transmission or Transaxle $790
Brakes $205
Clutch, Pressure Plate, Bearing $440
Constant Velocity Joints $520
Exhaust System $610
Radiator $635
Shocks and/or Struts $600
Timing Chain or Belt $165
Our price chart for this generation Dodge Colt details a range of prices in year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Prices Good Average Poor
1992
Colt $1,000-1,300 $600-800 $100
1991
Colt $0 $0 $0
1990
Colt $0 $0 $0
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings; engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo, etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from region to region.
Specs for this generation Dodge Colt include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification 2-door hatchback 4-door wagon
Wheelbase, in. 93.9 93.9
Overall Length, in. 158.7 169.3
Overall Width, in. 65.7 64.4
Overall Height, in. 51.9 56.1
Curb Weight, lbs. 2194 2568
Cargo Volume, cu. ft. 34.7 60.4
Standard Payload, lbs. -- --
Fuel Capacity, gals. 13.2 12.4
Seating Capacity 5 5
Front Head Room, in. 38.3 37.7
Max. Front Leg Room, in. 41.9 40.6
Rear Head Room, in. 36.9 38.0
Max. Rear Leg Room, in. 32.5 34.1

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Powertrain Options and Availability

Three different engines were available in 1990: a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder that made 81 horsepower; a dual-cam 1.6-liter rated at 113 horsepower; and for the 4WD wagon, a 1.8-liter four that developed a modest 87 horsepower. The 2WD wagon's 1.5-liter 4-cylinder engine made just 75 horsepower. A year later, all three engines were gone, supplanted by a single 1.5-liter 4-cylinder that put out 92 horsepower.
Engines Size liters /
cu. in		 Horse- power Torque Transmission:
EPA city/hgwy		 Consumer Guide Observed
ohc I4 1.5 / 90 92 93 4-speed manual: 31/36
5-speed manual: 29/35
3-speed automatic: 28/31		 4-speed manual: --
5-speed manual: --
3-speed automatic: 23.8
dohc I4 1.6 / 97 113 99 5-speed manual: 23/28
4-speed automatic: 23/28		 5-speed manual: --
4-speed automatic: --
ohc I4 1.5 / 90 75-81 87-91 4-speed manual: 32/38
3-speed automatic: 27/29		 4-speed manual: --
3-speed automatic: 25.7
ohc I4 1.8 / 110 87 102 5-speed manual: 23/28 5-speed manual: --

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Built In:  Japan
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or 4-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Dodge Colt include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test 1991 Colt
Front Impact, Driver --
Front Impact, Passenger 4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Sideimpact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 1990-1992 Dodge Colt directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.

NHTSA Recall History

1990-91: Front seatbelt release button can break and pieces can fall inside, causing improper operation.
1992: Excess lubrication can cause rubber door latch switch cover to deform and switch to malfunction; shoulder-belt anchorage may remain at A-pillar when car door is closed.
1992: Over time, abrading force on the lower edges of the chamber for the moving cable that controls driver's shoulder belt may be sufficient to allow cable to drop; could cause shoulder-belt anchorage to become stuck.

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