Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Chrysler Aspen, and it carries 4 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 | 9 | 23% |
| Power train | 8 | 20% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 10% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 8% |
| Engine | 2 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Every time I fill the gas tank, the fuel spills out of the fill tube when it gets full. I have tried putting it in slow but before the nozzle can shut off it blows the fuel back out of the fill tube. This is a substantia
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
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 a
NHTSA complaint: Power train
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OUTSIDE. PROBABLE TRANSMISSION ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK. I STARTED THE VEHICLE USING THE REMOTE START AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD SEVERAL INCHES THEN SETTLED BACK WERE IT WAS. THE OUTSIDE
NHTSA complaint: Power train
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 HA
NHTSA complaint: Engine
I HAD TROUBLE WITH A HUMMING NOISE AND POPPING UNDER MY VEHICLE FOR A FEW MONTHS. THE HUMMING GOT SO LOUD THAT WE COULD NOT HEAR EACH OTHER TALK TO ONE ANOTHER AT ALL. IT POPPED PULLING OUT, GOING AROUND A CURVE, GOING B
NHTSA complaint: Power train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER ASPEN. 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 CERTIFIE
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2009 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) 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 f
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 has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The r
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,
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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 r
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 is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1
Risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
Fix: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners th
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 71 | good |
| Maintenance | 60 | average |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 69 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 40 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 9 of them (23%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (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 71/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2009 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 64/100. 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.