IllustrationNO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
1981 Dodge Aries
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Aries years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 0 of 2 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 1 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
2 reportsRIGHT LOWER CROSS SUSPENSION IS CORRODED, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED AN ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT BRACKET.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD SAFETY RECALL (89V-052) ON CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER DUE TO ROAD SALT USED FOR SNOW REMOVAL. BUT THE CUSTOMER SAYS CORROSION OCCURED DUE TO A/C WATER DISCHARGING ON TO REAR…
Read full complaint
RIGHT LOWER CROSS SUSPENSION IS CORRODED, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY INSTALLED AN ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT BRACKET.*AK THE VEHICLE HAD SAFETY RECALL (89V-052) ON CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSS MEMBER DUE TO ROAD SALT USED FOR SNOW REMOVAL. BUT THE CUSTOMER SAYS CORROSION OCCURED DUE TO A/C WATER DISCHARGING ON TO REAR PIVOT MOUNTS. *YH
Official recalls
489V052000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
Mar 29, 1989
FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER MAY CORRODE AND FAIL AT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR PIVOT MOUNTS IF OPERATED WHERE SALT IS USED TO AID IN SNOW REMOVAL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: CONTROL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, ADVERSELYAFFECTING DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
Remedy: INSTALL ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AS A RESULT OF CORROSION WEAKENING.
81V111000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Sep 22, 1981
THE AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL SWITCH MAY STICK IN THE "RESUME" POSITION RESTRICTING RETURN MOVEMENT. THIS WILL NOT ALLOW THE NORMAL BRAKE PEDAL OPERATION TO DEACTIVATE THE SYSTEM.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE SHIELD PORTION OF THE "RESUME" SLIDE LEVER IN THE SPEED CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
81V093000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch
Aug 5, 1981
THE STOP LAMP SWITCHES INSTALLED ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES MAY HAVE INADEQUATE INTERNAL SWITCH CONTACT PRESSURE DUE TO AN INCORRECT FORMATION OF THE SWITCH CONTACT TERMINALS. THIS LACK OF SWITCH CONTACT CONTINUITY MAY RENDER THE (STOP) BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS INOPERATIVE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: THE STOP LAMP SWITCHES ON ALL INVOLVED VEHICLES WILL BE REPLACED AND PROPERLY FORMED TERMINALS WILL BE INSTALLED AT NO COST TO OWNER.
81V021000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:fluid
Feb 11, 1981
BRAKE FLUID MAY CONTAIN AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF WATER. THIS CAN CAUSE DEGRADATION OF BRAKING PERFORMANCE OR BRAKE FAILURE UNDER A VARIETY OF CIRCUMSTANCES.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Not supplied
Remedy: EXISTING BRAKE FLUID WILL BE REMOVED FROM BRAKE SYSTEM AND BRAKE SYSTEM WILL BE REFILLED WITH FRESH BRAKE FLUID.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
4EA91010 · Trans Park System Failure
Opened Dec 10, 1990 · Closed Dec 31, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train
There is no summary currently available
PE89093 · Frame Corrosion
Opened Mar 1, 1989 · Closed Mar 29, 1989
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Suspension
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PE85011 · Engine Compartment Fires
Opened Nov 14, 1984 · Closed Jul 31, 1985
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling
There is no summary currently available
DP82011 · High Pressure Ac Hose Ruptured
Opened Jun 10, 1982 · Closed Dec 3, 1982
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner
HIGH PRESSURE AC HOSE RUPTURED