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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2009 Chrysler AspenRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 40 owner complaints for the 2009 Chrysler Aspen. Most complaints involve air bags (11) and power train (10). The EPA rates it 15–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–21mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jan 2018
Owner complaints
40
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jan 9, 2018NHTSA 18V021000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Dec 23, 2016NHTSA 16V947000

Air bags: inflator module

Park It: do not driveFree remedy

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.

Air bagsReported May 24, 2016NHTSA 16V352000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

40 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2012 – Dec 2023
  1. Air bags11
  2. Power train10
  3. Electrical system9
  4. Fuel/propulsion system7
  5. Engine5
  6. Seat belts3
  7. Vehicle speed control2
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  9. Fuel system, gasoline2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Aspen model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2007244
2008159
200940
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
4
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

11 reports2 crashes
“The contact owned a 2009 Chrysler Aspen. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown rate of speed, she was run off the road by a vehicle by another vehicle. 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. The contact immediately checked on her two young children who were both treated by an ambulance. The contact stated that her son was treated for facial injuries. A police report was filed. The contact had yet to seek medical attention for her injuries. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard but was later towed back to her home. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 23, 2023Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11508680

Power train

10 reports
“The contact owns a 2009 Chrysler Aspen. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently shifted from 4-wheel drive to 4-wheel low. 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. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,369.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2022Power trainODI 11451494

Electrical system

9 reports
“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. I DROVE TO MY KIDS SCHOOL AT 230PM , AFTER LEAVING POWERED ON THE TRUCK TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND THATS WHEN ALL THE GAS SPILLED FROM UNDERNEATH.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 20, 2018Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11162849
All 2009 Aspen problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Engines
5.7L 8-cyl hybrid · 5.7L 8-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Aspen HEV
Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
202221$2,950423
Aspen 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
Aspen 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141915$4,150592
Aspen 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131915$4,150592
Aspen 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131815$4,150592
  • Aspen HEV
    Auto 4-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    20 city · 22 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Aspen 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Aspen 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Aspen 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Aspen 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Chrysler Aspen as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 5158
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Aspen questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Chrysler Aspen have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Chrysler Aspen problems?

Owners filed 40 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (11), power train (10), electrical system (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Chrysler Aspen get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Chrysler Aspen at 15–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026