Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1984 Colt.
The 1984 Dodge Colt utilizes an engine system requiring 4 quarts of oil with a filter and supports 20W-20, 15W-40, or 5W-30 viscosities. This model year is characterized by high stability, recording only one recall and a single owner complaint regarding the seat belts. Such figures place the 1984 model well below the complaint levels seen in later years between 1990 and 1996, which peaked at 120 in 1993 before falling to a low of 2 in 1996.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 161 in |
| Overall width | 62.6 in |
| Overall height | 50 in |
| Wheelbase | 93.7 in |
| Curb weight | 2026 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 60/40 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 20W-20 / 15W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt w/ filter |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3 qt w/ filter |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt w/ filter |
Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith) |
| Why | Transmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module |
| When needed | After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement |
| Tool required | DRBIII scan tool |
| Also required | The vehicle's four-digit PIN code |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The provided federal record contains no data for 1984, covering only 1990-1996—a generation that succeeds the target vehicle by six or more years. This discontinuity means I cannot directly compare 1984 to adjacent model years within its own generation. However, the limited 1984-specific data shows just one seat belt complaint, with zero crash and zero fire complaints reported. The 1990s data reveals a notable spike in 1993 (120 complaints, 2 recalls), followed by a return to lower complaint volumes, suggesting quality improvements in later model years. Since the target year predates all tracked years and falls outside the documented trend arc, there is insufficient context to assess how 1984 compares to its contemporaries. Takeaway: The 1984 Colt shows minimal complaint activity in the limited available data, but the lack of overlapping year-by-year data prevents a comprehensive reliability assessment across its generation—proceed with caution and prioritize a pre-purchase inspection.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
CERTAIN FEDERAL-MOGUL AFTERMARKET FUEL PUMPS SOLD UNDER THE BRAND NAMES OF CARTER, ACCUFLOW, NAPA, TRUFLOW, PARTS DEPO, AND PARTS MASTER, SHIPPED BETWEEN AUGUST 2006 AND JULY 2007 FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE… Remedy: FEDERAL-MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL-MOGUL AT 248-354-7700.
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 20 degrees F: 30, 20 degrees F TO 80 degrees F: 20W-20, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, BELOW 100 degrees F 5W-30 OR 5W-40, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, 5W-40, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.