1982 Dodge Aries recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-20. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
4 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Brakes
What's wrong, in plain English: Anything that slows the car down. Treat brake recalls as urgent. THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BAY BE EQUIPPED WITH BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING AN EXCESS OF WATER.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BRAKE FLUID WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1982 ARIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 82V063000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
Summary: THE BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM BAY BE EQUIPPED WITH BRAKE FLUID CONTAINING AN EXCESS OF WATER.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE DEFECTIVE BRAKE FLUID WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SERVICE BRAKES; BRAKE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: LOSS OF BRAKING ABILITY COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF VEHICLECONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL THE PURGING PROCEDURE HAS BEENPERFORMED.
2. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. CLAMP BOLTS INSTALLED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN CRACKS. EVENTUALLY THESE BOLTS MAY BREAK THROUGH, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
What could happen:
The fix: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH BALL JOINT STUD CLAMP BOLTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1982 ARIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 82V055000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Summary: CLAMP BOLTS INSTALLED ON CERTAIN VEHICLES MAY CONTAIN CRACKS. EVENTUALLY THESE BOLTS MAY BREAK THROUGH, CAUSING SEPARATION OF THE BALL JOINT FROM THE STEERING KNUCKLE.
Consequence:
Remedy: DEALER WILL REPLACE BOTH BALL JOINT STUD CLAMP BOLTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO OWNER.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.SYSTEM: SUSPENSION; FRONT SUSPENSION BALL JOINT STUD TO STEERING KNUCKLE CLAMPBOLTS.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THIS CONDITION WOULD RESULT IN PARTIAL LOSS OF FRONTWHEEL SUPPORT, POSSIBLY CAUSING LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: FRONT WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT BE HOISTED FROM UNDER THE FRONTSUSPENSION CONTROL ARMS.
3. Suspension
What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. 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.
What could happen: CONTROL ARM COULD DETACH FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, ADVERSELYAFFECTING DIRECTIONAL STABILITY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT.
The fix: INSTALL ATTACHMENT REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS TO PREVENT CONTROL ARM DETACHMENT AS A RESULT OF CORROSION WEAKENING.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1982 ARIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 89V052000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
Summary: 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: 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.
Notes: SYSTEM: FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER.VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER CARS.
4. Vehicle Speed Control
What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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.
What could happen:
The fix: THE SHIELD PORTION OF THE "RESUME" SLIDE LEVER IN THE SPEED CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1982 ARIES.
- Book a repair at any authorized Dodge dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 81V111000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Summary: 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: THE SHIELD PORTION OF THE "RESUME" SLIDE LEVER IN THE SPEED CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
Notes: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROLSYSTEMS.SYSTEM: ELECTRIC POWER ACCESSORIES; AUTOMATIC SPEED CONTROL SWITCH.CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: FAILURE OF THE SPEED CONTROL TO DEACTIVATE COULD CAUSELOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT.NOTE: MANUFACTURER ADVISES DISCONNECTION OF THE SPEED CONTROL DEVICE TO PREVENTITS USE PRIOR TO HAVING IT REPAIRED.
Useful for owners
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Fuel system (3), Gasoline (2), Other (1), Body / structure (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (4)
05/10/1996 · Fuel system
CARBURETOR COIL FAILED. *DH
05/10/1996 · Fuel system
GAS TANK FAILED.
05/10/1996 · Fuel system
GAS LINE FAILED.
03/22/1995 · Body / structure
K FRAME IS RUSTED, CAUSING ERRATIC STEERING. *SKD