AI Damage2009 Chrysler Aspen: common problems
Owners of the 2009 Chrysler Aspen filed 25 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and air bags. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 25
- involving a crash
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 36% of all complaints
- 2 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- 3 Fuel/propulsion system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 8% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 9 complaints (36% of all).
- Air bags: 5 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 5 complaints (20% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (12% of all).
- Engine: 2 complaints (8% of all).
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.7 L · hybrid · 8 cyl
- automatic, 4-speed
- automatic, 5-speed
Drive: AWD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 25 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact crashed into an unknown object and hit her face on the steering wheel since the airbags did not deploy. The contact temporarily lost consciousness; once she regained consciousness, blood was coming from her mouth.
Upon impact, the passenger's side rear seat belt failed to engage and caused the passenger's head to strike the seat. The passenger sustained a concussion and whiplash. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed.
The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the roadway. The contact stated that a family member arrived at her location and assisted her with resetting the 4-wheel drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted.
I started the vehicle using the remote start and the vehicle lurched forward several inches then settled back were it was. The outside temperature had been +- zero for several days. It did not repeat after being warmed up. It has never happened before. 116,000 miles.
Chrysler has a major problem with their 5.8 hemi engine. 12/16/2020 I paid $3791.07 to replace a bad camshaft and lifters on a vehicle with only 72,768 miles. After researching this problem, I find hundreds of others having the same issues!
My aspen then fell toward the right side and smoke started shooting out from the passenger back tire when driving it. I then took it to the mechanic. He said it was very bad. The rear axle and rear axle bearing are destroyed and it will need a new rear end.
After refueling the vehicle, the contact began to drive and almost immediately the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The contact, who was a certified mechanic, diagnosed the vehicle.
Fuel pump short circuit. After pumping gas the truck will not turn on. Short circuit from the pump to the starter. After turning the key to power on the truck all the gas spilled from underneath.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 7,448 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 20% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Aspen has 57 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 25, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Chrysler Aspen?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, air bags, fuel/propulsion system. Total complaints: 25. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (8%), warning lights, check engine (8%), airbags did not deploy (4%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2009 Chrysler Aspen?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2009 Chrysler Aspen from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2009 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.