RoadVitals

1988 Dodge Aries Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
8
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1988 Dodge Aries, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • 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.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Apr 20, 2002

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 · filed Feb 16, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed May 16, 2002

DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

NHTSA ID 512585 · filed Dec 12, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLES SEAT BACK COLLAPSED.

NHTSA ID 539690 · filed Sep 8, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE REAR AXLE BROKE, CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO RUB AGAINST THE GAS TANK PIPE. TT

NHTSA ID 967448 · filed Jun 21, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BOTH SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DO NOT RETRACT. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IT IS FELT THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK. TT

NHTSA ID 960248 · filed Feb 21, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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 · filed Feb 26, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

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

NHTSA ID 501534 · filed Dec 31, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE GOING AROUND A SLIGHT CURVE IT WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN STEERING. TT

NHTSA ID 959683 · filed Feb 7, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .