AI DamageDodge Aries: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Dodge Aries across 10 model years: 44 owner complaints and 0 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 2 Engine and cooling 16% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 4 Seat belts 11% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 11% of all complaints
- 6 Vehicle speed control 11% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 8 complaints (18% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 7 complaints (16% of all).
- Steering: 6 complaints (14% of all).
- Seat belts: 5 complaints (11% of all).
- Service brakes: 5 complaints (11% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1989
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1986–1989
- 2.6 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1984–1985
- automatic, 3-speed 1984–1989
- manual, 4-speed 1984–1985
- manual, 5-speed 1984–1989
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 44 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Engine running opened door vehicle slipped from park to reverse. Tt
While driving check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer noticed that fumes were coming from underneath the vehicle. Consumer was able to pull over, and extinguish the fire. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the fuel rail needed to be replaced.
While traveling at low speeds transmission went into neutral without warning. This nearly caused a crash. Also, the 4 bolts that held transmission in place fell out while driving.
Two of the front lower motor mounts were missing, and the other two were loose, causing the engine to vibrate.
Engine check light came on, opened hood and fire was shooting from the electrical wires near the fuel injection, vehicle burned to the ground. ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12-12-02 cut over to artemis****761962
I had a mechanics shop replace the rack and pinion assembley and it keeps coming loose from the frame, when I go around a bend in the road the car feels like it whants to straihgten out and the steering wheel has to be turned as mucn as 45 degrees to maintain proper control.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Seat belts. Belt pretensioners after airbag deployment, SRS codes.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.