RoadVitals

1988 Dodge Aries

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest May 16, 2002
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Apr 14, 2008
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

Overview

Our database contains 11 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1988 Dodge Aries, most frequently naming the steering, electrical and interior & seats categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 2 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Steering327.3%
  • Electrical218.2%
  • Interior & seats19.1%
  • Powertrain (other)19.1%
  • Seat belts19.1%
  • Driver assistance19.1%
  • Suspension19.1%
  • Engine19.1%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
08E033000

SUSPENSION

Apr 14, 2008
6,903 units potentially affected
The defect: FEDERAL MOGUL IS RECALLING 6,903 AFTERMARKET BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES SHIPPED BETWEEN NOVEMBER 9, 2007 AND MARCH 26, 2008, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS. THE PART NUMBERS PACKAGED WITH INCORRECT NUTS ARE: K7147, K7329, K8683, AND 104353. THESE PARTS WERE MADE FOR USE ON THE VARIOUS VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
The risk: THE NUTS INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGING FOR THESE BALL JOINT ASSEMBLIES ARE MISSING THE INTENDED PREVAILING TORQUE (SELF-LOCKING) FEATURE. IF THE INCORRECT NUT WAS TO BECOME LOOSE, THE JOINING MEMBERS MAY LOOSEN LEADING TO A SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT. THIS MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: FEDERAL MOGUL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE PARTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 22, 2008. OWNERS CAN CONTACT FEDERAL MOGUL AT 877-489-6659.
FEDERAL-MOGUL CHASSIS PRODUCTSView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE91065ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

STEERING GEAR BOLTS LOOSEN

Opened Apr 16, 1991
Closed Aug 30, 1991

There is no summary currently available

STEERING
EA91010ClosedEngineering Analysis

TRANS PARK SYSTEM FAILURE

Opened Dec 10, 1990
Closed Dec 31, 1991

There is no summary currently available

POWER TRAIN

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 11
Electrical
Filed May 16, 2002
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
10008815
Incident
May 15, 2002
Mileage
55,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 20, 2002

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 THE ROAD STRAITENS OUT THE STEERING WHEEL ALWAYS ENDS UP IN A DIFFERENT POSITION.*AK

NHTSA ID
760954
Incident
Apr 10, 2002
Filed Apr 7, 2000

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
711311
Interior & seats
Filed Sep 8, 1998

VEHICLES SEAT BACK COLLAPSED.

NHTSA ID
539690
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 26, 1997

UPONT STARTING THE VEHICLE THE RPMS INCREASED AND IN ADDITION UPON APPLYING FORCE TO THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE SUDDLY ACCELERATED. *AK

NHTSA ID
809415
Electrical
Filed Dec 12, 1996

DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA ID
512585
Incident
Nov 1, 1996
Steering
Filed Feb 16, 1996

STEERING COLUMN FELL OFF OF ASSEMBLY WHILE BEING PARKED. OWNER AWARE OF OTHER DODGE MODELS W/SIMILAR PROBLEM HAVING RECALLED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT

NHTSA ID
979317
Suspension
Filed Dec 31, 1995

REAR AXLE CONTROL ARM LOOSENED/TORQUED, CAUSING OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *DSH

NHTSA ID
501534
Incident
Mar 23, 1992

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Aries by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1990001—
1989102254.0
1988Viewing111247.5
1987912—
1986323—
1985223—
1984222—
1983243—
1982243—
1981244—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.