1981 Dodge Aries Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 1981 Dodge Aries, and owners have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
4 safety recalls for the 1981 Dodge Aries
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
-
Suspension: lower arm
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.
Remedy: Install attachment reinforcement brackets to prevent control arm detachment as a result of corrosion weakening.
-
Vehicle speed control
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.
Remedy: The shield portion of the "resume" slide lever in the speed control unit will be replaced without charge.
-
Switch (exterior lighting)
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.
Remedy: The stop lamp switches on all involved vehicles will be replaced and properly formed terminals will be installed at no cost to owner.
-
Fluid (service brakes)
Brake fluid may contain an excessive amount of water. This can cause degradation of braking performance or brake failure under a variety of circumstances.
Remedy: Existing brake fluid will be removed from brake system and brake system will be refilled with fresh brake fluid.
2 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 1981 Dodge Aries have filed 2 complaints with NHTSA. Complaints peaked in 2000 with 2 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“No summary listed for above vehicle. *ak”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 7, 2000 · Structure
“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 m”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 31, 2000 · Suspension
Compare Dodge Aries model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Dodge Aries model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 Dodge Aries | 4 | 2 |
| 1982 Dodge Aries | 4 | 2 |
| 1983 Dodge Aries | 4 | 2 |
| 1984 Dodge Aries | 1 | 2 |
| 1985 Dodge Aries | 1 | 2 |
| 1986 Dodge Aries | 1 | 3 |
| 1987 Dodge Aries | 0 | 9 |
| 1988 Dodge Aries | 0 | 11 |
| 1989 Dodge Aries | 1 | 10 |
Checking a specific 1981 Dodge Aries
How do I know if my 1981 Dodge Aries has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 1981 Dodge Aries; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Dodge dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 81V021000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Dodge models
- Durango13,770 complaints
- Grand Caravan13,508 complaints
- RAM 150012,416 complaints
- Caravan10,526 complaints
- Dakota6,629 complaints
- RAM 25006,443 complaints
- Intrepid6,228 complaints
- Charger5,741 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.