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CA · Coupe

1988 Plymouth Colt

Common problems & what to know before you buy

Before you message the seller, know the documented failure patterns, repair cost exposure, and risk level for the 1988 Plymouth Colt.

Recall campaigns
1
Owner complaints
18, mostly seat belts
Safety record

Recalls on the 1988 Plymouth Colt

Recall·95V103003

Seat belts: buckle assembly

THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLE RELEASE BUTTONS CAN BREAK.

Source: NHTSA

Owner complaints

What 18 owners reported

Seat belts12
Latches/locks/linkages1
Fuel system1
Exterior lighting1

Source: NHTSA

Specifications

1988 Plymouth Colt at a glance

Trims
ColtColt Vista
Engine
1.5L 4-Cylinder, 1.6L 4-Cylinder, 2.0L 4-Cylinder
Transmission
Automatic 3-spd, Manual 4-spd, Manual 5-spd
Drivetrain
FWD, AWD
Fuel
Gasoline
Body style
Coupe
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Other Plymouth Colt years

1994199319921991199019891987198619851984

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 1988 Plymouth Colt?

Owners have filed 18 complaints about the 1988 Plymouth Colt with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. There is 1 recall campaign covering this model year. Squeezed's free research-backed buyer guide cross-references these against documented failure patterns and mileage-stage risks, sorted by severity, in about a minute.

Is the 1988 Plymouth Colt reliable?

Reliability depends heavily on the specific configuration and how the car was maintained. Start with the 1 open recall campaign on this model year and confirm the work was completed. Generate a Squeezed buyer guide for this exact vehicle to see a reliability snapshot, repair-cost exposure, and the questions to ask the seller before you buy.

Should I still get a pre-purchase inspection on a 1988 Plymouth Colt?

Always. A Squeezed buyer guide is the triage step before the inspection: it shows you the documented failure patterns and what to check so you can decide which 1988 Plymouth Colt listings are even worth a mechanic's time, then walk into the PPI knowing exactly what to look for.

Squeezed is a buyer guide based on public data and industry patterns, not a mechanical inspection. Always get a professional pre-purchase inspection before you buy.