DodgeColt1971Overview/dodge/colt/1971/base/

1971 Dodge Colt

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1971 Colt.

The 1971 Dodge Colt stands as a subject of longitudinal reliability analysis, with recorded complaint data spanning 1990 through 1996 that tracks its durability performance well into its second and third decades of service. This historical dataset reveals a marked volatility in reported issues, peaking at 120 complaints during 1993 before precipitously declining to a mere 2 by 1996, suggesting either significant mechanical interventions or sample attrition as the vehicle population aged. Such a trajectory places this model year within a context of declining reliability concern over the observed period, indicating that while mid-1990s ownership presented notable challenges, the incidence of reported failures diminished substantially toward the end of the decade.

Model year199419931992198919881987198619851971

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length160.6 in
Overall width61.4 in
Overall height52.4 in
Wheelbase95.3 in
Curb weight2055 lb

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

71V178000Structure:BodyReported 06/10/1971

Remedy:

71V175000Parking Brake:Conventional:Mechanical:Linkage And CableReported 06/10/1971

Remedy:

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Colt. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1971 Colt have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.