Dodge ARIES problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
59,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1981 to 1989 model years. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 32 complaints (9.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 4 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 6.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.1% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 |
| Steering:Rack And Pinion | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 |
| Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 2 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 3; Steering:Rack And Pinion: 3; Vehicle Speed Control: 3; Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery: 2; Electrical System:Ignition: 2; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 29 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 16 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 3 |
| 2004 | 3 |
1995: 16; 1996: 5; 2000: 4; 2001: 1; 2002: 3; 2004: 3
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 482473 · 1995-03-22 (March 22, 1995)
K FRAME IS RUSTED, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 482473 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503712 · 1996-04-12 (April 12, 1996)
STEERING WANDERS DURING SHIFTS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503712 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503334 · 1996-04-10 (April 10, 1996)
BRAKES FAILED 2 TIMES. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503334 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558130 · 2000-12-14 (December 14, 2000)
CONSUMER REPLACED DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS(CAR QUEST BRAND) IN 1999, ON JUNE 25, 2000 CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH PARTS AGAIN DUE TO GRINDING AND DAMAGED COMPONENTS, CONSUMER FEELS THE INSTALLED PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE RESULTING IN FAILURE THE FOLLOWING YEAR. *MJS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958760 · 1995-01-17 (January 17, 1995)
REPLACED BATTERY. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958760 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008815 · 2002-05-16 (May 16, 2002)
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, OPENED HOOD AND FIRE WAS SHOOTING FROM THE ELECTRICAL WIRES NEAR THE FUEL INJECTION, VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND. *TS *JB ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS****761962
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008815 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060949 · 2004-02-27 (February 27, 2004)
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. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060949 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 481667 · 1995-02-15 (February 15, 1995)
INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SKD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 481667 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 967448 · 1995-06-21 (June 21, 1995)
BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE REAR AXLE BROKE, CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO RUB AGAINST THE GAS TANK PIPE. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967448 at NHTSA ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1981 | 4 |
| 1982 | 4 |
| 1983 | 4 |
| 1984 | 1 |
| 1985 | 1 |
| 1986 | 1 |
| 1987 | 0 |
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 1 |
1981: 4; 1982: 4; 1983: 4; 1984: 1; 1985: 1; 1986: 1; 1987: 0; 1988: 0; 1989: 1