The most-reported ARIES run is 1B3BD36DXHC (1987 builds) with 2 complaints, 1.8× the typical run. Electrical system problems make up 29% of reports; 1987 is the worst model year at 1.7 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for ARIES model years 1981–1989.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Dodge ARIES has 26 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 25% of every ARIES complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B3BD36DXHC•••••• | 1987 | — | 1 | |
| 3B3BD31K4HT•••••• | 1987 | 1 | — | |
| 1B3BK49B3BF•••••• | 1981 | — | — | |
| 1B3BK56D4BF•••••• | 1981 | — | — | |
| 1B3BD46B1CC•••••• | 1982 | — | — | |
| 1B3BD49B0CF•••••• | 1982 | — | — | |
| 1B3BD26C4DF•••••• | 1983 | — | — | |
| 1B3BD26C0DF•••••• | 1983 | — | — | |
| 1B3BD49C2EF•••••• | 1984 | — | — | |
| 1B3BD49CXEF•••••• | 1984 | — | — | |
| 1B3D41D9F62•••••• | 1985 | — | — | |
| 1B3BK46D4KC•••••• | 1989 | — | — |
Each of the other 14 ARIES runs has 1 complaint or fewer.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Dodge ARIES the gap between build years is 1.7×: a 1987 car draws 1.7 complaints per run, a 1988 one 1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 5 | 5 | — | |
| 1988 | 6 | 6 | — | |
| 1987 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Heaviest year here is 1987 at 1.7 complaints per run; lightest is 1988 at 1.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 29% of everything Dodge ARIES owners report: Electrical System, 6 of 28 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 1 | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | — | — | |
| Structure | — | — | |
| Suspension | — | — | |
| Fuel System | — | 1 | |
| Gasoline | — | 1 | |
| Steering | — | — | |
| Seat Belts | — | — |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 13 recall campaigns on the Dodge ARIES; the 6 below cover build years 1981 to 1989. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 08E033000 | Suspension | 1984–1989 |
| 89V052000 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm | 1981–1983 |
| 84V147000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings | 1984–1985 |
| 81V111000 | Vehicle Speed Control | 1981–1982 |
| 89V237000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 1989 |
| 86V053000 | Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery | 1986 |
How serious were they
Of the 28 reports on the Dodge ARIES, 7.1% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Dodge ARIES | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 28 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 2 (7.1%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 2 (7.1%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 2,728 |
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Dodge ARIES share of that is 28 complaints over 26 runs, 0% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Dodge ARIES VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 28 NHTSA complaints from 26 ARIES runs and 13 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which ARIES production run has the most complaints?
1B3BD36DXHC, a 1987 build, with 2 complaints. The typical ARIES run has 1.1.
Which ARIES years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 1987 is heaviest at 1.7 complaints per run and 1988 lightest at 1.
How many ARIES complaints involve a crash?
7.1% of 28 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 2 involved a fire.
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