RoadVitals

1989 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.
10
Latest Dec 14, 2000
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.
2
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 10 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1989 Dodge Aries, most frequently naming the brakes, seat belts and driver assistance categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 11 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

  • Brakes327.3%
  • Seat belts327.3%
  • Driver assistance218.2%
  • Body & structure19.1%
  • Heating & air conditioning19.1%
  • Exterior lighting19.1%

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

2 campaigns 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
89V237000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

Dec 27, 1989
634,000 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ENGINE VALVE COVER GASKET MAY DISLOCATE AND ALLOW AN ENGINE OIL LEAK AT THE GASKET.
The risk: THE LEAKAGE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD CAUSEA FIRE.
The remedy: REPLACE GASKET COVER WITH REVISED COVER, AND RTV SEALANT WILL BE APPLIED IN PLACE OF A GASKET.
CHRYSLER CORPORATIONView 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 10
Brakes
Filed Dec 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

NHTSA ID
558130
Incident
Jun 23, 2000
Heating & air conditioning
Filed Oct 22, 1997

AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. MJS

NHTSA ID
605572
Body & structure
Filed Aug 21, 1997

THE PAINT SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE IS IS PEELING OFF THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
518358
Seat belts
Filed Oct 24, 1996

DRIVER'S SIDE PUSH BUTTON RELEASE IS INOPERATIVE, SEAT BELT BUCKLE WON'T DETACH, ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE BUCKLE PLASTIC COVER HAS FALLEN OFF. *AK CONSUMER WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT, IT WOULD NOT DETACH, CONSUMER HAD TO WIGGLE OUT OF IT, CONSUMER STATES BELTS DO NOT RETRACT WHEN NOT IN USE. *SLC

NHTSA ID
804009
Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 1996

BRAKES FAILED 2 TIMES. *SD

NHTSA ID
503334
Incident
Apr 10, 1996
Driver assistance
Filed Nov 28, 1995

ENGINE RACES FOR NO REASON WITHOUT FOOT BEING ON ACCELERATOR. PLEASE DESCIBE. TT

NHTSA ID
975541
Seat belts
Filed Nov 7, 1995

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE FAILURE, UNABLE TO UNLATCH SEAT BELT BUCKLE. TT CONSUMER STATES PROBLEMS HAS BEEN SOLVED DEALER WILL REPLACED THE WARRANTY IS 1 YEAR OR 12,000 MILES.*JB

NHTSA ID
974734
Incident
Nov 7, 1995
Exterior lighting
Filed Apr 30, 1995
Fire reported

HEADLIGHT DIMMER SWITCH CAUGHT ON FIRE WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ADJUST BRIGHTNESS. *SKD

NHTSA ID
489791
Incident
Mar 25, 1995

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

23-014-15

EQUIPMENT

Child Seat Tether Anchor Installation This bulletin describes procedures to install Child Seat Tether Anchors based on Customer Request. Retrofits are subject to part availability. Vehicles in the following list that are marked **** for the model year are no longer supported with OEM retrofit kits. NOTE: Dealers are encouraged to honor any customers? request for the installation of the Child Seat Tether Anchors and Dealer reimbursement will be made by FCA US LLC regardless of vehicle age or mileage. See the Warranty Policy and Procedure Manual and/or Warranty Bulletin D-08-33 for reimbursement detail.

2100601

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID USAGE ATF+4. *TT *MJ

0800600REV

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

SUBJECT REGARDING WIRE SPLICE REPAIRS. *SB

2300800B

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

230800

SEATS

SUBJECT REGARDING CHILD SEAT TETHER ANCHORS. *TT

080600

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES A REVISED WIRE SPLICE PROCEDURE AND RELATED PARTS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Dodge Aries by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
1990001—
1989Viewing102254.0
1988111247.5
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.