DodgeColt1980Overview/dodge/colt/1980/base/

1980 Dodge Colt

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1980 Colt.

The 1980 Dodge Colt was a compact model that began a reliability trajectory later reflected in its complaint record, which shows a marked improvement after the early 1990s; the data set spanning 1990‑1996 records a peak of 120 complaints in 1993 and a low of just two complaints by 1996, indicating that the platform matured into one of the more dependable iterations of the Colt lineage.

Model year199419931992198919881987198619851980

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.

1
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 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

80V010000Interior LightingReported 15/02/1980

THE ASHTRAY BULB SOCKET IN THE INVOLVED VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH MATERIALS THAT DO NOT POSSESS THE REQUIRED ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE QUALITIES. WHEN THE ASHTRAY BULB IS LIT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME… Remedy: THE DEALER WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING BULB SOCKET AND WIRING ASSEMBLY AND REPLACE IT WITH COMPONENTS THAT HAVE THE PROPER ELECTRICAL RESISTANCE QUALITIES, AT NO CHARGE TO OWNER.

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 1980 Colt have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.