DODGE COLT VISTA PROBLEMS

Common Complaints and Reliability

• 1. Engine and Drivetrain:

  • Engine completely stopping at highway speeds, with oil/water/anti-freeze all over the street and a hole in the engine. Replacement engine still smokes.
    
  • Vehicle continuing to travel at 35 MPH after taking foot off the gas pedal.
    
  • Intermittent loss of traction/power while driving, which may return.
    
  • Torque converter failure due to a recall component, even if the failure occurred before the recall notice.
    
  • Shock absorbers failing prematurely.
    

• 2. Fuel System:

  • Gas tank being hard to fill, shutting off after 0.3-0.4 gallons, and often overflowing.
    
  • Recall related to the solenoid in the carburetor, where a part of the fuel nozzle was left in the carburetor after replacement.
    

• 3. Brake System:

  • Vehicle jumping forward upon depressing the brake pedal, regardless of pavement type.
    
  • Front brakes cracking.
    
  • Brake pads and rotors cracked/damaged.
    
  • Partial loss of braking, requiring replacement of entire front brakes.
    
  • Frequent replacement of rotors, discs, and calipers (e.g., every month for two years).
    

• 4. Doors:

  • Sliding back door not closing all the way, requiring dealer tightening. Children unable to close the door and experiencing headaches due to fumes entering the vehicle when the door is shut and windows are up.
    
  • Rear door opening with great difficulty, often jamming and preventing closure.
    

• 5. Safety Features (Seatbelts):

  • Rear wheel well water leak getting onto seatbelts, causing them to malfunction.
    
  • Motorized shoulder seatbelt retracter cable coming out of its cover.
    
  • Shoulder belt locking when the door is shut.
    
  • Seatbelt failure in general.
    
  • Motorized seatbelt reel sticking, making it hard to exit the vehicle.
    

• 6. Structural and Rust:

  • Rust weakening the undercarriage where the seatbelt anchorage is attached.
    

• 7. Electrical and Lighting:

  • Indicator light coming on.
    
  • Intermittent electrical shutdowns that leave no error codes.
    

• 8. Interior/Other:

  • Vehicle misalignment.