2009 Chrysler Aspen Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2009 Chrysler Aspen has 25 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls (3 Do Not Drive), and a complaint index of 33, ranking 3rd worst of 4 model years. It carries a Caution verdict, capped because of the Do Not Drive airbag recalls despite a relatively low complaint index.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 33/100
- #3 of 4 Aspen years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 25
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- 3 Do Not Drive
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 14 city / 19 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2009 Chrysler Aspen problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain9 (36%)
- Fuel System7 (28%)
- Airbags5 (20%)
- Electrical System3 (12%)
- Engine2 (8%)
- Other2 (8%)
- Seat Belts2 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear axle pinion nut can fail, with owners waiting extended periods for recall parts before repairs were completed.
- Fuel spits back or spills out when the tank is filled to full, sometimes producing a strong gas odor.
- Rear differential bearings have come apart, requiring a full rear-end overhaul beyond the recalled pinion nut fix.
- A rear seat belt failed to engage during a rear-end collision, allowing the passenger's head to strike the seat.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a crash after the vehicle was run off the road, resulting in the driver hitting her face on the steering wheel.
- Electrical faults include a dashboard that won't light up and the vehicle stalling when the fuel tank is filled fully.
2009 Chrysler Aspen recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V021000Jan 9, 2018Airbags328,177 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands or "Zone A." Additionally, Chrysler is recalling certain 2009-2010 RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia or "Zone B." Chrysler is also recalling certain 2009 RAM 3500, RAM 2500, RAM 4500 Cab Chassis, RAM 5500 Cab Chassis, Dodge Durango, Chrysler Aspen, RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Challenger, and Dodge Charger vehicles ever registered in the states of Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the passenger frontal air bag, these passenger air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to absolute humidity and temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp 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 owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U03.
- NHTSA 16V947000Dec 22, 2016Airbags12,691 vehiclesDo Not Drive
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen vehicles manufactured January 17, 2007, to December 18, 2008, and 2010 RAM 3500 cab chassis manufactured September 25, 2009, to February 1, 2010. 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 has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S92. Note: This recall covers vehicles that were accidentally excluded from recall 15V-313.
- 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.
2009 Chrysler Aspen fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 19 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.
2009 compared with other Aspen years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Chrysler Aspen reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 25 complaints, 4 recalls including 3 Do Not Drive campaigns, and a complaint index of 33. It ranks 3rd worst of the 4 Aspen model years with data and carries a Caution verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chrysler Aspen?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 36% of complaints, followed by Fuel System problems at 28% and Airbags at 20%. Median mileage at failure for transmission issues was 112,684.
- Does the 2009 Chrysler Aspen have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2009 Aspen, three of which are Do Not Drive recalls covering airbag components, plus a transmission-related rear axle pinion nut recall.
- Why is the 2009 Aspen rated Caution instead of based only on its complaint index?
- Its complaint index of 33 alone would suggest a lower risk level, but the verdict is capped to Caution because the vehicle has a Do Not Drive recall for airbags.
- How does the 2009 Aspen compare to other model years?
- The 2007 Aspen has the highest complaint index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, while 2008 sits at 67 with a Caution verdict. The 2009 model, with an index of 33, ranks 3rd worst of the 4 years tracked.