- What you'll get from Dodge Colt VIN check?
- Dodge Colt Vehicle History Risk Factors
- Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Colt VIN
- List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Colt
- Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge Colt VIN
- Character 9 is the "check digit" in a Dodge Colt VIN.
- 10th Character in the Dodge Colt VIN — Year Code
- 11th Character in the Dodge Colt VIN — Plant Code(s)
- Known Dodge Colt Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
- VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Colt
- How to find a Dodge Colt's VIN?
- Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Colt
What you’ll get from Dodge Colt VIN check?
- Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicles model year being the year 1992, providing insights into the age and potential historical value of the vehicle.
- Manufacturing Location: It can specify the manufacturing details, pointing to the Mizushima plant in Japan where the vehicle was assembled.
- Engine Details: Details such as engine configuration (In-Line), number of cylinders (4), and specifics like a 1.5L displacement with Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) are typically uncovered.
- Vehicle Type and Body Class: The VIN decodes to reveal the vehicle type as a Passenger Car and clarifies the body class as Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback, specifying the structural design.
- Safety Features: Elements like the type of seat belts, in this case, Automatic, give insights into the safety features embedded in the vehicle.
- Model Specific Information: Through the VIN, specific models like the Colt and series information such as LOW series can be identified, including unique engine information (3 Valve, Sales Code - 4G15 MPI).
- Vehicle Identification: VIN can precisely identify a vehicle, as seen with the descriptor JB3CU24A*NU, which correlates with specific vehicle specifications and history.
Dodge Colt Vehicle History Risk Factors
Dodge’s used vehicle market is heavily weighted toward performance cars and large SUVs — segments where hard use, modifications, and elevated accident rates all affect used vehicle condition. A Bumper VIN check is particularly important for several reasons.
HEMI tick and MDS lifter issues on 5.7L and 6.4L engines. Dodge’s HEMI V8 engines across the Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Ram lineup have documented issues with Multi-Displacement System (MDS) lifter failure, similar to the GM AFM problem. Repair costs are significant. Service records referencing lifter replacement, MDS delete, or oil consumption complaints are red flags on any HEMI-powered used Dodge.
Transmission failures on 8HP70/8HP75 8-speed automatic. Dodge’s ZF-sourced 8-speed automatics have generated owner complaints related to shuddering, hunting for gears, and torque converter issues — particularly in high-performance Charger and Challenger applications with significant power. This is a well-documented TSB item.
Accident frequency on Charger and Challenger. Dodge’s performance cars rank among the highest in accident rates in the used car market — not a knock on the vehicles, but a statistical reality that makes a Bumper accident history check particularly important. A Charger SRT or Challenger Hellcat with three owners and no reported accidents deserves more scrutiny than a minivan with the same profile.
Title issues on modified Hellcat and Demon models. High-value Hellcat and Demon variants are disproportionately represented in salvage title databases. Their high replacement values make total-loss designations more likely after even moderate damage. Title washing is a documented risk on these models.
A Bumper VIN check shows accident history, title brands, flood damage, and odometer records for this specific vehicle.
How to decode a Dodge Colt VIN
Characters 1-3 of a Dodge Colt VIN
A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is a unique three-letter code assigned to every vehicle manufacturer globally. It forms the beginning portion of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), crucial for identifying specific vehicles, including their make, model, and place of manufacture. For the Dodge Colt, the WMI JB3 highlights vehicles made by FCA US LLC, specifically passenger cars produced in years 1982, 1989-1990, and 1992. These cars were manufactured in Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States, signifying the diverse production locations within the automotive industry. This specific WMI serves as an essential tool for tracking, registration, and recall procedures for the Dodge Colt models associated with it.
List of WMI Codes for a Dodge Colt
WMI: JB3
- Model Years Covered: 1982, 1989-1990, 1992
- Example VIN: JB3BE4430CU404680
- Manufacturer Name: FCA US LLC
- Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
- City: Auburn Hills
- State or Province: Michigan
- Country: United States
WMI: JB4
- Model Years Covered: 1987
- Example VIN: JB4FH31D9HZ994173
- Manufacturer Name: Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC)
- Vehicle Type: Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV)
- City: Minato-Ku
- State or Province: Tokyo
- Country: Japan
Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a Dodge Colt VIN
These characters correspond to components like:
- Engine type
- Transmission
- Model or trim
- Body style
- Gross vehicle weight range
Dodge’s Vehicle Descriptor Section encodes model variant, engine configuration, body style, and restraint system across the Charger, Challenger, Durango, and Ram (now a separate brand) lineups. On Chargers and Challengers, the VDS is critical for confirming the specific engine variant — the 3.6L Pentastar V6, 5.7L HEMI, 6.4L 392 HEMI, and supercharged 6.2L Hellcat/Demon variants are all available on the same body and require completely different maintenance and insurance cost expectations. Dodge muscle cars are among the most frequently modified used vehicles on the market, and confirming factory engine specification via VDS before a pre-purchase inspection is essential to distinguishing factory performance from modified one-off builds.
Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.
Character 9 is the “check digit” in a Dodge Colt VIN.
Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.
10th Character in the Dodge Colt VIN — Year Code
| Year Code | Year |
|---|---|
| N | 1992 Dodge Colt |
| L | 1990 Dodge Colt |
| K | 1989 Dodge Colt |
| H | 1987 Dodge Colt |
| C | 1982 Dodge Colt |
11th Character in the Dodge Colt VIN — Plant Code(s)
Known Dodge Colt Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)
| Plant Code | Plant City | Plant State | Plant Country | Plant Company Name | Example VIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U | Mizushima | Japan | JB3BE4430CU404680 | ||
| Z | Okazaki | Japan | JB4FH31D9HZ994173 |
VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a Dodge Colt
The final 6 characters in a Dodge Colt’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.
Want to unlock even more detailed info about your vehicle?
How to find a Dodge Colt’s VIN?
Locating the VIN number on your Dodge Colt is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:
- Look at the lower corner of the windshield on the driver’s side; the Dodge Colt VIN is typically visible from the outside, affixed on a plate.
- Open the driver’s side door and check the door post (where the door latches when it is closed), as the VIN can often be found on a sticker or plate in this area for the Dodge Colt.
- For older models of the Dodge Colt, check under the hood for a VIN plate located on the engine block. This is a common place where the VIN is stamped directly onto the vehicle’s parts.
- Examine the vehicle’s registration documents or the insurance policy, as the VIN of your Dodge Colt will be printed on all official vehicle documentation.
Don’t have your Dodge Colt’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!
Sample VIN Decode Report for a Dodge Colt
| Vehicle Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Body Class | Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback |
| Displacement (CC) | 1500.0 |
| Displacement (CI) | 91.53561614209 |
| Displacement (L) | 1.5 |
| Doors | 3 |
| Engine Configuration | In-Line |
| Engine Number of Cylinders | 4 |
| Fuel Delivery / Fuel Injection Type | Multipoint Fuel Injection (MPFI) |
| Model | Colt |
| Model Year | 1992 |
| Other Engine Info | Engine Info: 3 Valve, Sales Code - 4G15 MPI |
| Plant Company Name | Mizushima |
| Plant Country | Japan |
| Seat Belt Type | Automatic |
| Series2 | Economy |
| Vehicle Descriptor | JB3CU14A*NU |
| Vehicle Type | Passenger Car |
| Sample VIN | JB3CU14A0NU046911 |
Specs tell you what it was built with. A VIN check tells you what's happened since.
Check any Dodge Colt for accident history, flood damage, salvage title, and odometer fraud.
Run a free VIN check →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the VIN on a Dodge Colt?
On most Dodge vehicles, the VIN is located on the driver’s side dashboard, visible through the windshield from outside the car. It’s also on a sticker inside the driver’s side door jamb, and on your insurance card, title, and registration documents.
How do I check a Dodge Colt's history for free?
Enter the Dodge Colt’s 17-digit VIN into Bumper’s free VIN check at bumper.com. The free check shows factory specs and open NHTSA recalls. For the full history including accident records, title brands, theft status, and ownership history, run a full Bumper report.
What do Dodge Colt VIN numbers start with?
Dodge Colt VIN's start with JB3 for vehicles manufactured by FCA US LLC in United States, JB4 for vehicles manufactured by Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) in Japan. The first three characters of any VIN identify the manufacturer. The full WMI table on this page lists all known codes for the Dodge Colt.
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