Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1983 Colt.
The 1983 Dodge Colt is serviced with a 4-quart engine oil fill including filter, using viscosity grades of 5W-30, 10W-30, or 15W-40. The model’s documented complaint history begins with the 1990 model year and runs through 1996, peaking at 120 complaints in 1993 and dropping to just 2 by 1996. Because this 1983 model predates that entire window, it sits outside the scope of the Colt’s recorded reliability arc, leaving its standing relative to those later years unmeasured by the same metrics.
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 |
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 |
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.
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.