Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 Colt.
The 1983 Plymouth Colt arrives with a 4-quart oil capacity with filter and accepts 15W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 viscosity grades depending on operating conditions. For researchers tracking durability, this model year sits just ahead of the documented 1990-1994 complaint window, which records a low of 8 owner reports in 1991 and a peak of 77 in 1993—a roughly tenfold swing that defines the reliability baseline against which the older 1983 cars still in service during that period would be measured. That spread makes the 1983 model year a useful anchor point for understanding how the line's earlier examples aged into a period of sharply rising ownership complaints.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 157.1 in |
| Overall width | 62.6 in |
| Overall height | 50 in |
| Wheelbase | 90.6 in |
| Curb weight | 1865 lb |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 3 |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4 qt w/ filter |
| Engine Oil | 20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 3 qt w/ filter |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
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.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 20 degrees F: 30, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, ABOVE 0 degrees F: 10W-30, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.