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1986 Dodge Colt

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

The 1986 Dodge Colt is built on the compact platform and is serviced with a 4‑quart oil capacity plus filter, accepting viscosities ranging from 20W‑20 to 5W‑30. Across its production run the model recorded a modest 23 owner complaints, with seat‑belt issues emerging as the most frequent problem and a single recall noted for the year. When placed against the broader complaint history—spanning 1990 to 1996, which saw a peak of 120 complaints in 1993 and a low of just two in 1996—this early‑year figure underscores the Colt’s relatively solid reliability foundation, suggesting that the 1986 iteration sits toward the more dependable end of the model’s timeline.

Model year1994 1993 1992 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified

Engine oil type20W-20 / 15W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4 qt w/ filter of 20W-20 / 15W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Engine Coolant	ETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil	20W-20 · 15W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	3 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	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · 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 Coolant System (leak inspection) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Steering Linkage (inspect) · Steering System (inspect) · Suspension Ball Joint (inspect)
Every 50,000 mi	Air Injection System (inspect) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Canister (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (replace)
At 60,000 mi	Air Conditioning System (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	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 required	DRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
Why	Transmitter 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 needed	After Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool required	DRBIII scan tool
Also required	The 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 federal record for the Dodge Colt shows a relatively stable complaint volume of 14–22 from 1990 to 1992, followed by a dramatic spike to 120 complaints in 1993, then a decline to 18 in 1994 and just 2 in 1996. The 1986 model year predates this dataset, but its known complaint areas are dominated by seat belts with 20 reports, alongside a single fire complaint and no crash complaints. This seat belt focus contrasts with the 1993 spike, which likely involved broader systemic issues, though the data does not specify root causes for any year. The 1986 Colt’s complaint pattern aligns more closely with the lower pre-spike years, suggesting it may avoid the peak problems of the generation. However, the 20 seat belt complaints are notable; a buyer should carefully inspect the restraint system, but the absence of crash incidents implies the issue may not be safety-critical in practice.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Overall★★★★★

Frontal★★★★★

Side★★★★★

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’96

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 23 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Seat Belts20

Seat Belts,Structure1

Engine & Engine Cooling1

Fuel System, Gasoline1

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…

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.

Vehicles taking 4 qt w/ filter

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1986 Colt take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 20 degrees F: 30, 20 degrees F TO 80 degrees F: 20W-20, ABOVE 10 degrees F: 15W-40, BELOW 100 degrees F 5W-30 OR 5W-40, BELOW 60 degrees F: 5W-30, 5W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 1986 Colt have open recalls?

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