Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

1989 Dodge ARIES problems and owner complaints

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

10 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 1989 model year. Data updated: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 2 of 10 complaints (20.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior330.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
2
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
2
Vehicle Speed Control
2
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner
1
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly2
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner1
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads1

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 1; Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 1; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1995
5
1996
2
1997
2
2000
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
19955
19962
19972
20001

1995: 5; 1996: 2; 1997: 2; 2000: 1

Pattern summary

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Complaint evidence

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 503334 · 1996-04-10 (April 10, 1996)

BRAKES FAILED 2 TIMES. *SD

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503334 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 558130 · 2000-12-14 (December 14, 2000)

CONSUMER REPLACED DEFECTIVE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS(CAR QUEST BRAND) IN 1999, ON JUNE 25, 2000 CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH PARTS AGAIN DUE TO GRINDING AND DAMAGED COMPONENTS, CONSUMER FEELS THE INSTALLED PARTS WERE DEFECTIVE RESULTING IN FAILURE THE FOLLOWING YEAR. *MJS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558130 at NHTSA ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

10 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-10-01.

0.0%Usable mileage0 / 10 records
60.0%Valid incident date6 / 10 records
100.0%Valid filing date10 / 10 records
60.0%Ordered incident and filing dates6 / 10 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

Component complaint heatmap
Component198119821983198419851986198719881989
Vehicle Speed Control
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

222.2%
ODI 546763

IF OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE BELOW 20 DEGREES THE VEHICLE IS HARD TO START AND IS PRONE TO ENGINE FLOODING. ONCE IT IS STARTED, THERE IS AN ENGINE "MISS" THAT IMPROVES AS ENGINE WARMS UP. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE SPEED CONTROL. WHEN SIGNALING A LANE CHANGE, WITH SPEED CONTROL ON, THE ENGINE SPEED UP. IT WILL INCREASE SPEED BY FIVE TO EIGHT MPH. ARE THERE ANY RELATED RECALLS?

Look up ODI 546763 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

220.0%
ODI 960489

VEHICLE PERIODICALLY GOES AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF 30-40MPH SURGING, FAILING TO STOP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REPAIRED 3 TIMES. TT

Look up ODI 960489 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 958760

REPLACED BATTERY. TT

Look up ODI 958760 at NHTSA ↗

222.2%
ODI 503325

HEAD GASKET FAILED.

Look up ODI 503325 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Electrical System:Ignition
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 481667

INTERMITTENT STALLING. *SKD

Look up ODI 481667 at NHTSA ↗

150.0%
ODI 759143

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Look up ODI 759143 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

19.1%
ODI 512585

DISTRIBUTOR FAILURE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

Look up ODI 512585 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

222.2%
ODI 10059159 · 59,900 mi

TWO OF THE FRONT LOWER MOTOR MOUNTS WERE MISSING, AND THE OTHER TWO WERE LOOSE, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO VIBRATE. *AK

Look up ODI 10059159 at NHTSA ↗

19.1%
ODI 959683

REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET. *AK

Look up ODI 959683 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

150.0%
ODI 964154

AT TIMES, DRIVER'S SHOULDER/LAP BELT WILL NOT UNLATCH; OCCUPANT HAVE TO CRAWL OUT OF BELT; COULD CAUSE OCCUPANT TO BE TRAPPED INSIDE DURING COLLISION. TT

Look up ODI 964154 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

220.0%
ODI 804009

DRIVER'S SIDE PUSH BUTTON RELEASE IS INOPERATIVE, SEAT BELT BUCKLE WON'T DETACH, ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE BUCKLE PLASTIC COVER HAS FALLEN OFF. *AK CONSUMER WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT, IT WOULD NOT DETACH, CONSUMER HAD TO WIGGLE OUT OF IT, CONSUMER STATES BELTS DO NOT RETRACT WHEN NOT IN USE. *SLC

Look up ODI 804009 at NHTSA ↗

Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

19.1%
ODI 960248

BOTH SEAT BELTS IN THE FRONT DO NOT RETRACT. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT IT IS FELT THAT THEY WOULD NOT WORK. TT

Look up ODI 960248 at NHTSA ↗

220.0%
ODI 804009

DRIVER'S SIDE PUSH BUTTON RELEASE IS INOPERATIVE, SEAT BELT BUCKLE WON'T DETACH, ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE BUCKLE PLASTIC COVER HAS FALLEN OFF. *AK CONSUMER WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT, IT WOULD NOT DETACH, CONSUMER HAD TO WIGGLE OUT OF IT, CONSUMER STATES BELTS DO NOT RETRACT WHEN NOT IN USE. *SLC

Look up ODI 804009 at NHTSA ↗

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

222.2%
ODI 503325

HEAD GASKET FAILED.

Look up ODI 503325 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

110.0%
ODI 960489

VEHICLE PERIODICALLY GOES AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF 30-40MPH SURGING, FAILING TO STOP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REPAIRED 3 TIMES. TT

Look up ODI 960489 at NHTSA ↗

Steering:Rack And Pinion
00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

133.3%
ODI 958760

REPLACED BATTERY. TT

Look up ODI 958760 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

218.2%
ODI 760954

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

Look up ODI 760954 at NHTSA ↗

00.0%

No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
No usable records for this analysis.

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

1 reports2024-112026-10

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples
Monthly complaint and recall timeline
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-10 (partial)0None

No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Age 0Age 1Age 21 reports

1988: 0 complaints · 1989: 0 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
1988000
1989000
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
1988740
1989640

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
ComponentSeat Belts:Front:Buckle AssemblySeat Belts:Front:RetractorVehicle Speed ControlEquipment:Appliance:Air ConditionerExterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer SwitchService Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited SlipService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation ComponentsService Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly—
1
ODI 804009

DRIVER'S SIDE PUSH BUTTON RELEASE IS INOPERATIVE, SEAT BELT BUCKLE WON'T DETACH, ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE BUCKLE PLASTIC COVER HAS FALLEN OFF. *AK CONSUMER WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT, IT WOULD NOT DETACH, CONSUMER HAD TO WIGGLE OUT OF IT, CONSUMER STATES BELTS DO NOT RETRACT WHEN NOT IN USE. *SLC

Look up ODI 804009 at NHTSA ↗

000000
Seat Belts:Front:Retractor
1
ODI 804009

DRIVER'S SIDE PUSH BUTTON RELEASE IS INOPERATIVE, SEAT BELT BUCKLE WON'T DETACH, ALSO, PASSENGER'S SIDE BUCKLE PLASTIC COVER HAS FALLEN OFF. *AK CONSUMER WAS STUCK IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT, IT WOULD NOT DETACH, CONSUMER HAD TO WIGGLE OUT OF IT, CONSUMER STATES BELTS DO NOT RETRACT WHEN NOT IN USE. *SLC

Look up ODI 804009 at NHTSA ↗

—000000
Vehicle Speed Control00—000
1
ODI 960489

VEHICLE PERIODICALLY GOES AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF 30-40MPH SURGING, FAILING TO STOP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REPAIRED 3 TIMES. TT

Look up ODI 960489 at NHTSA ↗

0
Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner000—0000
Exterior Lighting:Headlights:High/Low Beam Dimmer Switch0000—000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip00000—00
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components00
1
ODI 960489

VEHICLE PERIODICALLY GOES AT A CONSTANT SPEED OF 30-40MPH SURGING, FAILING TO STOP WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. REPAIRED 3 TIMES. TT

Look up ODI 960489 at NHTSA ↗

000—0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads0000000—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

1 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

1 mentions · 10.0% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 503334

BRAKES FAILED 2 TIMES. *SD

Look up ODI 503334 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b