AI Damage1987 Dodge Aries: common problems
Owners of the 1987 Dodge Aries filed 9 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and cooling and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 9
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine and cooling 44% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 22% of all complaints
- 4 Vehicle speed control 22% of all complaints
- 5 Equipment 11% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 11% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 11% of all complaints
- Engine and cooling: 4 complaints (44% of all).
- Electrical system: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (22% of all).
- Equipment: 1 complaints (11% of all).
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
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- automatic, 3-speed
- manual, 5-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 9 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 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.
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.
Mom handed the car over to me with 58,000 miles and said she always had a difficult time getting the car out of park especiallly on an incline. I began having problems as well and had the cable replaced in the spring of last year.
If outside temperatures are below 20 degrees the vehicle is hard to start and is prone to engine flooding. Once it is started, there is an engine "miss" that improves as engine warms up. Additionally, there is a problem with the speed control. When signaling a lane change, with speed control on, the engine speed up.
While making a right hand turn, 20 mph, right front wheel bent right out at 90 degrees; frame cradle cracked in half; pulled out tranmission, etc.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 11,366 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 31% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Aries has 4 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 9, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 1987 Dodge Aries?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine and cooling, electrical system, service brakes. Total complaints: 9. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: brake failure (22%), smoke, burning smell, fire (11%), unintended acceleration (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 1987 Dodge Aries?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 1987 Dodge Aries from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 1987 models
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.