IllustrationENGINE 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
1988 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
All reported categories
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: 1 of 11 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.
- Steering. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. 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 reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
11 reportsI 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 …
Read full complaint
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
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
VEHICLES SEAT BACK COLLAPSED.
UPONT STARTING THE VEHICLE THE RPMS INCREASED AND IN ADDITION UPON APPLYING FORCE TO THE GAS PEDAL THE VEHICLE SUDDLY ACCELERATED. *AK
DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.
STEERING COLUMN FELL OFF OF ASSEMBLY WHILE BEING PARKED. OWNER AWARE OF OTHER DODGE MODELS W/SIMILAR PROBLEM HAVING RECALLED. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. TT
REAR AXLE CONTROL ARM LOOSENED/TORQUED, CAUSING OTHER DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *DSH
BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE REAR AXLE BROKE, CAUSING REAR WHEEL TO RUB AGAINST THE GAS TANK PIPE. TT
BOTH SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DO NOT RETRACT. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IT IS FELT THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK. TT
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
2PE91065 · Steering Gear Bolts Loosen
Opened Apr 16, 1991 · Closed Aug 30, 1991
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Steering
There is no summary currently available
EA91010 · 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