2008 Chrysler Aspen Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2008 Chrysler Aspen has 74 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 67, ranking it Caution and the second-worst of the 4 model years tracked. Airbags (36% of complaints) and fuel system issues (27%) dominate, with two do-not-drive recalls covering airbags.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 67/100
- #2 of 4 Aspen years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 74
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- 2 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 18.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2008 Chrysler Aspen problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags27 (36%)
- Fuel System20 (27%)
- Electrical System11 (15%)
- Engine9 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain8 (11%)
- Steering7 (9%)
- Brakes5 (7%)
- Structure & Body3 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (4%)
- Other2 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in frontal crashes, including one after the vehicle hydroplaned into a wall at 50 mph.
- Owners describe fuel tanks and filler necks spewing gasoline during refueling, sometimes splashing the person holding the pump.
- One owner reported a fire that started near the front of the vehicle and was linked to a fuel system problem.
- The power liftgate reportedly closed on its own and struck owners in the head, causing concussions in more than one case.
- A front driver's side ball joint reportedly detached while driving, causing a crash into a tree with no airbag deployment.
- A rear pinion nut reportedly backed off, draining differential fluid, on a vehicle the owner said matched a related recall description.
2008 Chrysler Aspen recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V352000May 24, 2016Airbags4,648,270 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) expanded the affected population to include 73,712 2005-2009 RAM 2500 trucks produced at the St. Louis North Assembly Plant. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2010 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2012 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2012 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2012 Chrysler 300, 2006-2012 Dodge Charger, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, MS, SC, TX, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands, or "Zone A." Additionally, unless included in "Zone A" above, Chrysler is also recalling 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2009 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008-2009 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2009 Dodge Durango, 2007-2009 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2009 Jeep Wrangler, 2008-2009 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2009 Chrysler 300, 2006-2009 Dodge Charger, 2005-2009 Dodge Dakota and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or ever registered, in AZ, AR, DE, Washington D.C., IL, IN, KS, KY, MD, MO, NE, NV, NJ, NM, NC, OH, OK, PA, TN, VA, and WV, or "Zone B." Lastly, unless included in "Zone A" or "Zone B" above, Chrysler is recalling certain 2005-2008 RAM 2500, 2006-2008 RAM 3500, 2007-2008 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2008 RAM 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis, 2004-2008 Dodge Durango, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2007-2008 Jeep Wrangler, 2008 Dodge Challenger, 2005-2008 Dodge Magnum, 2005-2008 Chrysler 300, 2006-2008 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2008 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles originally sold, or registered, in AK, CO, CT, ID, IA, ME, MA, MI, MN, MT, NH, NY, ND, OR, RI, SD, UT, VT, WA, WI, and WY.
Risk: These vehicles are equipped with certain air bag inflators assembled as part of the passenger frontal air bag modules, and used as original equipment or replacement equipment. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling. An inflator rupture may result in metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S43. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V-7700.
- NHTSA 15V313000May 26, 2015Airbags4,077,169 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 Dodge Ram 2500, 2004-2008 Dodge Ram 1500 and Durango, 2006-2009 Dodge Ram 3500, 2008-2010 Dodge Ram 4500 and 5500, 2007-2008 Chrysler Aspen, 2005-2010 Chrysler 300, 300C, 300S, and SRT8, 2006-2010 Dodge Charger, 2005-2008 Magnum, 2005-2011 Dodge Dakota, and 2006-2009 Mitsubishi Raider vehicles. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the affected Chrysler and Dodge owners and Mitsubishi will notify the affected Raider owners. Dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began for Chrylser on June 8, 2015. The recall for Mitsubishi started on June 24, 2015. Chrysler and Dodge owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Mitsubishi owners may call 1-888-648-7820. Chrysler's number for this recall is R25. Note: This recall supersedes recall 14V817 in its entirety. Vehicles that have had their driver side frontal air bag replaced previously need to have their air bag replaced under this recall as well.
2008 Chrysler Aspen fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 18.5 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Aspen years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Chrysler Aspen reliable?
- NHTSA lists 74 complaints for the 2008 Aspen with a complaint index of 67, earning a Caution verdict. It ranks 2nd-worst among the 4 Aspen model years with complaint data.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Chrysler Aspen?
- Airbags are the top problem area, accounting for 36% of complaints (27 of 74), with a median failure mileage of 108,500. Fuel system issues follow at 27% of complaints.
- Does the 2008 Chrysler Aspen have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2008 Aspen, both airbag-related and both marked do-not-drive until repaired.
- What year Chrysler Aspen should I avoid?
- The 2007 Aspen has the highest complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict. The 2008 is rated Caution, while 2009 has a lower complaint index of 33.
- How many miles do 2008 Chrysler Aspen problems show up at?
- Across problem areas, median failure mileage ranges from 75,000 for transmission and powertrain issues to 121,500 for engine issues, with airbag failures reported at a median of 108,500 miles.