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1986 Plymouth Colt

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1986 Colt.

The 1986 Plymouth Colt, requiring 3 quarts of oil with a filter and compatible with 15W-40, 10W-30, or 5W-30 viscosities, is a compact model that logged only 9 total owner complaints—most frequently regarding seat belts—and a single recall. In the broader model’s complaint history spanning 1990 to 1994, the 1993 year peaked at 77 complaints while 1991 saw just 8, placing the 1986 variant among the more reliable years of the Colt lineage. This low complaint count and minimal recall activity suggest that the 1986 model year represents a particularly dependable point in the vehicle’s lifecycle for researchers to note.

Model year1995 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30OEM · verified

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3 qt w/ filter of 15W-40 / 10W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	3 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	15W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity	3 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4 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 7,500 mi.

Every 7,500 mi	Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect)
At 15,000 mi	Throttle Position Sensor (inspect)
Every 15,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect idle speed)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Choke System (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 mi	Air Injection System (inspect) · Air Injection System Solenoid Control Valve Air (replace) · Carburetor (inspect) · Distributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Vacuum Advance (inspect) · EGR Valve (replace)
At 60,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · PCV System (inspect) · Timing Belt (replace)

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 1986 model year falls before the earliest entry in the provided federal record, which begins in 1990. Across the documented generation—1990, 1991, 1993, and 1994—the data shows modest early activity followed by a pronounced spike to 77 complaints and 3 recalls in 1993, then a retreat to 0 complaints in 1994. For 1986 itself, the data records zero crash and zero fire complaints, with seat belts accounting for 7 reports, alongside single entries for gasoline fuel system and power train. Because it predates the entire documented arc, the 1986 model is not part of the generation’s later climb in federal complaints and recalls. Its profile is limited to non-crash, non-fire issues, leaving it unaffected by the 1993 high-water mark. Consequently, 1986 stands out as a comparatively favorable year to buy from this generation, assuming careful inspection of the seat belt system.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’93 ’94

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 9 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Seat Belts7

Fuel System, Gasoline1

Power Train1

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…