DodgeColt1989Overview/dodge/colt/1989/base/

1989 Dodge Colt

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 Colt.

The 1989 Dodge Colt is defined by maintenance requirements calling for an oil capacity of 3.7 qt w/ filter using 20W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 API viscosity grades. Ownership data records 37 total owner complaints and one recall for this model year, with the top complaint area focused on seat belts. This feedback precedes the model complaint history covering 1990 to 1996, where issues ranged from a high of 120 in 1993 to a low of 2 in 1996. Consequently, the 1989 data establishes a baseline count that remains lower than the 1993 peak but higher than the 1996 minimum recorded in the subsequent tracking period.

Model year199419931992198919881987198619851984

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.7 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.7 qt w/ filter of 20W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 5,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 50,000 miFuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
Every 60,000 miPCV System (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)

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.

The 1989 Dodge Colt occupies a transitional point in its generation, with federal data showing a sharp escalation in complaints immediately afterward—peaking dramatically in 1993 at 120 complaints—while the years prior (1990–1992) remained relatively stable with 14–22 complaints annually. Recalls and investigations for this generation were modest but consistent, averaging 1–2 recalls per year except for 1994, where none were issued, suggesting the 1989 model may reflect early signs of issues that later intensified. The 1989 model’s top complaint areas, particularly seat belts (25 complaints), stand out as a red flag not mirrored in later years’ data, indicating a potential design or manufacturing flaw specific to this model year. Crash complaints (2) and no reported fire incidents provide limited but neutral safety context, while the absence of recalls for 1989 itself doesn’t preclude latent reliability concerns. This year’s data implies the 1989 Colt is a riskier proposition than its immediate successors or predecessors, with seat belt reliability a documented concern and the broader trend pointing to growing problems in later years. **Avoid this year unless thorough pre-purchase inspection—especially of seat belt mechanisms—can confirm its condition.**

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
4
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
37
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 37 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seat Belts25
Exterior Lighting3
Vehicle Speed Control3
Suspension2
Equipment1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Electrical System1
Steering1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

95V103003Seat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblyReported 24/05/1995

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK. THESE RED PLASTIC RELEASE BUTTONS ARE MARKED "PRESS." IF A BUTTON BREAKS, PIECES CAN FALL INTO THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY CAUSING THE BUCKLE TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY. Remedy: OWNERS SHOULD PROMPTLY CHECK THE CONDITION AND OPERATION OF BOTH FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES AND CAREFULLY INSPECT THE RED RELEASE BUTTON FOR ANY BREAKS OR CRACKS. THEY SHOULD…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 4 of 4 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
0800600REV2000-12-29Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
2308002000-03-03SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
0806002000-02-25Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT
233599REVA1999-10-01StructureSUBJECT ON THE CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *MJS

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.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1989 Colt take?

3.7 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 32 F: 20W-40 API, ABOVE -10F: 10W-30 API, BELOW 60 F: 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1989 Colt have open recalls?

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