1981 Dodge Aries problems
The Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries are mid size cars introduced for model year 1981 as the first "K-cars" manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation. The Reliant and Aries were the smallest cars to have the traditional 6 passenger 2 bench seat with column shifter seating arrangement favored by customers in the United States (Chrysler marketed the car as being able to seat "six Americans"), similar to larger rear-wheel drive cars such as the Dodge Dart and other front-wheel drive cars such as the Chevrolet Celebrity. The Reliant was powered by a then-new 2.2 L I4 SOHC engine, with a Mitsubishi "Silent Shaft" 2.6 L as an option (this engine also featured hemispherical combustion chambers, and all 1981 models equipped with it featured "HEMI" badges on the front fenders). The Reliant was available as a 2-door coupe, 4-door sedan, or as a 4-door station wagon, in three different trim lines: base, Custom and SE ("Special Edition"). Station wagons came only in Custom or SE trim.
As rebadged variants, the Reliant and Aries were manufactured in Newark, Delaware, Detroit, Michigan, and Toluca, Mexico — in a single generation. After their introduction, the Reliant and Aries were marketed as the "Reliant K" and "Aries K". The Aries was sold as the Dart K in Mexico, and as the Michigan in Japan. The Reliant replaced the Plymouth Volaré/Road Runner, while the Aries replaced the Dodge Aspen.
The Reliant and Aries were selected together as Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year for 1981. Initial sales were brisk, with both Reliant and Aries each selling over 150,000 units in 1981, with cumulative sales of million Aries and 1.1 million Reliant units over the nine-year run.
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Common 1981 Dodge Aries problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Dodge Aries 1981, common problems with this car include:
- Driveability Issues with Carburetor: The Dodge Aries is equipped with an electronically controlled feedback two-barrel carburetor that can lead to driveability issues, especially when the engine is cold. This carburetor setup is known to cause problems affecting the car's performance, particularly during cold starts.
- Engine Reliability: Some owners have expressed concerns about the reliability of the engine options available for the Dodge Aries, such as the Chrysler 2.2L or Mitsubishi 2.6L four-cylinder engines. While the 2.2L engine is considered relatively more reliable, issues with the Mitsubishi 2.6L engine have been noted, impacting the car's overall performance and longevity.
- Suspension and Handling: The Dodge Aries is described as softly sprung and not designed for aggressive driving. Owners have highlighted issues with the suspension system, which uses struts in the front and coil springs with a flex beam in the rear. This setup may lead to a less than ideal driving experience, especially when compared to more modern vehicles with advanced suspension systems.
- Cold Weather Performance: Due to the carburetor setup and potential issues with cold starts, the Dodge Aries may exhibit poor performance in cold weather conditions. Owners have reported difficulties with engine responsiveness and overall drivability during colder temperatures, indicating a potential weakness in the car's design for cold climate operation.
These common problems reported by owners of the Dodge Aries 1981 highlight various issues related to engine performance, starting reliability, and overall driveability. Addressing these concerns may require thorough diagnostics and potentially replacing or repairing specific components to ensure the car operates optimally.
Was the K car reliable?
Known as the K car platform, it would become the centerpiece of Chrysler's turnaround. Not only was it less expensive to produce cars built on the same platform, they could be built more reliably with tightly focused engineering.
What year did the Dodge Aries come out?
1981
1981–1989 Dodge Aries (often referred to as the Aries K, owing to strong publicity for the K cars; 1981 models are badged as such.)
How much horsepower does a 1988 Dodge Aries have?
1988 Dodge Aries America Overview
Available powertrain includes a standard 93 horsepower, 2L NA I4 single overhead cam (SOHC) 8V engine and 5-Speed Manual transmission. It gives mileage of 22 MPG in city and 30 MPG on highway.
What was the Dodge version of the Plymouth Reliant?
Dodge Aries
The Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries are mid size cars introduced for model year 1981 as the first "K-cars" manufactured and marketed by the Chrysler Corporation.
Was the K car reliable?
Known as the K car platform, it would become the centerpiece of Chrysler's turnaround. Not only was it less expensive to produce cars built on the same platform, they could be built more reliably with tightly focused engineering.
How much horsepower does a 1988 Dodge Aries have?
1988 Dodge Aries America Overview
Available powertrain includes a standard 93 horsepower, 2L NA I4 single overhead cam (SOHC) 8V engine and 5-Speed Manual transmission. It gives mileage of 22 MPG in city and 30 MPG on highway.
What is the history of the Chrysler K car?
The K-car platform was a key automotive design platform introduced by Chrysler Corporation for the 1981 model year, featuring a transverse engine, front-wheel drive, independent front and semi-independent rear suspension configuration—a stark departure from the company's previous reliance on solid axle, rear-drive ...
What year was the Dodge Aries made?
1981
Plymouth Reliant
| Dodge Aries Plymouth Reliant | |
|---|---|
| Model years | 1981–1989 |
| Assembly | Newark, Delaware (Newark Assembly), United States (sedans and wagons) Detroit, Michigan (Jefferson Avenue Assembly), United States Fenton, Missouri (Saint Louis Assembly), United States (2-door sedans only) Toluca, Mexico (Toluca Car Assembly) |
1981 Dodge Aries car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Dodge Aries problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Structure problems
- Suspension problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1981 Dodge Aries vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
1981 Dodge Aries complaints
The NHTSA has received 2 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1981 Dodge Aries.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-08-01
- VIN: 1B3BK49B3BF
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2000-07-31
- VIN: 1B3BK56D4BF
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: 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 MEMBER DUE TO ROAD SALT USED FOR SNOW REMOVAL. BUT THE CUSTOMER SAYS CORROSION OCCURED DUE TO A/C WATER DISCHARGING ON TO REAR PIVOT MOUNTS. *YH
1981 Dodge Aries recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 1981 Dodge Aries.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: 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.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: 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.
- Remedy: THE SHIELD PORTION OF THE "RESUME" SLIDE LEVER IN THE SPEED CONTROL UNIT WILL BE REPLACED WITHOUT CHARGE.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: CHRYSLER CORPORATION
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID
- Summary: 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.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1981 Dodge Aries problems:
Dodge Aries Dies Intermittantly | Allpar Forums
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Are K-Cars all that bad? | VW Vortex - Volkswagen Forum
Mar 14, 2004 ... ... common three-speed automatic. The Ks bowed for 1981 as the Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant [and, in Mexico, the Dart]. A 2 door coupe, 4 ...
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