Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Chrysler Aspen, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 37 | 23% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 31 | 19% |
| Fuel system | 27 | 17% |
| Power train | 11 | 7% |
| Steering | 4 | 3% |
| Engine | 3 | 2% |
| Engine | 3 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 1% |
| Structure | 2 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My Air bag light will not go out. Not sure what the problem is, cleaned all contracts in the connectors and seat belts and connectors under the seats. Check for a blown fuse. Could not find any bad fuses.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The manufacturer stop making a part that can fix my car. It’s at the Ford dealership in Opelika, Alabama and they cannot find a part to make the car safe. Please contact and pull the car for analysis to save lives. We lo
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Hello there my name is [XXX] , i bought this car 2-3 year ago but on around december 2023 i found out before i go to work my car smell like mildew but i could figure it out coming from where i thought my kids forgot shut
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
There is a known issue where the transfer case motor will erratically fail causing multiple safety issues. The car is AWD with a 2 speed 4WD selector. The motor can shift into neutral on its own disabling the gear select
NHTSA complaint: Power train
When adding fuel, there is a splash back and gasoline spews out and onto who ever is fueling the vehicle. Then when you start the car and drive a few minutes, the car will stall. This vehicle is available for inspection
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
After filling the gas tank, the car will stall out randomly without warning. Stalling out will occur for about 25 to 35 miles. After that the stalling out disappears. This has happen while I was turning which made ste
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
My 2008 Chrysler Aspen floor board and seat belts are drenched with water when it rains. The truck is leaking and allowing water to get inside the body of the truck. I had to replace my radio and other computer componen
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Air bag light on dash indicates not air bag not functioning properly
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2008 Chrysler Aspen. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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, 2
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 rup
Fix: 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.
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, 2005-2
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
Fix: 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.
| Reliability raw | 68 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 56 | average |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 159 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 37 of them (23%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 68/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.