DodgeColt1977Overview/dodge/colt/1977/base/

1977 Dodge Colt

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1977 Colt.

The 1977 Dodge Colt, a compact front‑wheel‑drive coupe, entered the market as a lightweight, economical choice on the Dodge platform, powered by a modest inline‑four engine that emphasized fuel efficiency. While no direct reliability data are available for that particular model year, the Colt’s lineage later revealed a notable range in owner satisfaction: the period from 1990 to 1996 saw the 1993 model generate the highest complaint volume—120 reports—while the 1996 version recorded only two complaints, underscoring a clear trend of improving reliability within the series. This historical trajectory suggests that, although the 1977 Colt itself predates the documented reliability window, it laid the groundwork for the subsequent refinements that ultimately reduced owner grievances in the mid‑1990s.

Model year199419931992198919881987198619851977

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.3 in
Overall width63.8 in
Overall height54.3 in
Wheelbase95.3 in
Curb weight2280 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.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
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 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

77V202000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 16/11/1977

THE INVOLVED VEHICLES DO NOT CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 106, "BRAKE HOSES". THESE FRONT HYDRAULIC BRAKE HOSES MAY FAIL UNDER PRESSURE OF BRAKE APPLICATION DUE TO USE OF IMPROPERLY PROCESSED… Remedy: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BRAKE HOSES WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.

83V019000Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly:MountingReported 24/02/1983

FUEL TANK SUPPORT STRAPS ON SOME OF THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY RUST IF EXPOSED TO ROAD SALT USED FOR SNOW AND ICE REMOVAL. Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE EXISTING SUPPORT STRAPS WITH GALVANIZED STEEL STRAPS WITHOUT CHARGE.

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 1977 Colt have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.