DodgeColt1994Overview/dodge/colt/1994/base/
B9 platform

1994 Dodge Colt

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1994 Colt.

The 1994 Dodge Colt rides the B9 platform and takes 4 quarts of oil including the filter, with manufacturer-acceptable API viscosities covering 10W-30, 10W-40, and 20W-40 grades. In the broader 1990–1996 complaint history, this year lands in a notably quiet band—just 18 owner-reported issues, a steep drop from the 120 logged in 1993 and on the way down toward the 2 complaints recorded for 1996. With hydraulic service brakes cited as the most common area of concern and zero recalls on the books, the 1994 model year stands as one of the more dependable chapters in the Colt's run.

Model year199419931992198919881987198619851984

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4 qt w/ filterOEM · verified
Engine oil type20W-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 APIOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 05142416AC. Note the factory engine air filter, fuel filter, spark plug, front wiper blades, serpentine belt and thermostat are now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter05142416AC
Engine air filterMR571472 discontinued
Fuel filterMB658689 discontinued
Spark plug68304174AA discontinued · alt MS851357
Front wiper bladesMB859050 discontinued · alt MB859105
Serpentine belt05096324AA discontinued · alt 05096313AA
ThermostatMD337408 discontinued · alt MD972903

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length171.3 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height53.5 in
Wheelbase96.1 in
Curb weight2083 lb
Track (front / rear)57.1 / 57.1 in

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-40 / 10W-30 / 10W-40 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity4 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity4.5 qt w/ filter
Engine Oil20W-40 · API · 10W-30 · 10W-40 · 10W-50 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity4.7 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; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Power Steering System (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAxle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Engine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 30,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 60,000 miDistributor Cap (inspect) · Distributor Rotor (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Tank (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect) · Spark Plug Wires (inspect)

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 requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter 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 neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe 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 1994 Dodge Colt sits squarely after a dramatic spike in complaints in 1993 (120 complaints) and returns to a modest level of 18 complaints, matching the low‑complaint years of the early 1990s (14–22 complaints). Unlike its predecessor, 1994 recorded no federal recalls, keeping the recall count at zero after a brief increase to two in 1992 and 1993. Investigations remain steady at three, comparable to the surrounding years, while technical service bulletins (TSBs) stay modest at seven, only one fewer than the 1993 peak of eight. The top complaint areas—service brakes, seat belts, suspension, and airbags—are limited in number (3–2 reports each), and crash‑related complaints are low (3) with no fire complaints reported. Overall, the 1994 model shows a return to baseline issue levels and no recalls, suggesting it is a comparatively safe year to consider for purchase.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
7
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
18
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 18 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3
Seat Belts2
Suspension2
Air Bags2
Fuel System, Gasoline2
Electrical System2
Steering1
Power Train,Air Bags1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 7 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
R2118796A2016-02-26Engine And Engine CoolingValve Body. These may cause over drive cycling.
0800600REV2000-12-29Electrical SystemSUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB
2300800B2000-11-24SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
2308002000-03-03SeatsSUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT
0806002000-02-25Electrical SystemTHIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1994 Colt take?

4 qt w/ filter of ABOVE 32 degrees F: 20W-40 SL, API, ABOVE -10 degrees F: 10W-30 OR 10W-40 OR 10W-50 SL, API, BELOW 100 degrees F: 5W-30, 5W-40 SL, API, per the factory manual.

Does the 1994 Colt have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.