2008 Chrysler Aspen 4X4 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report gasoline spraying or spitting back out of the filler neck when the pump shuts off at the end of a fill-up, a complaint that shows up from low mileage on and often involves fuel on hands, clothing or the ground. A second cluster of complaints concerns the airbag recalls for this vehicle, mostly about parts not being available to complete the repair. Later-mileage reports describe stalling after refueling, occasional unintended acceleration, and 4WD engaging on its own.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Gas sprays back out of the filler neck at fill-up

   • 27 complaints (40%)
   • median 48,311 mi at 4.9 yrs old (23 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2016

   Complaints describe fuel shooting or spitting out of the filler neck just after the pump nozzle clicks off, in amounts ranging from a few ounces to a quart, sometimes with enough force to spray several feet. Owners say it happens at many different stations and regardless of pumping speed, and that it has splashed onto their hands, clothing and shoes as well as the vehicle and the ground. Several report dealers pointing to the fuel tank, filler tube or venting as the cause, with some owners told the tank or filler assembly needed replacing; others say the dealer offered no fix. Reported from very low mileage up to roughly 130,000 miles, at any time of year, with some owners noting it is more pronounced in warm weather.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Fill the tank to the automatic shutoff before buying and watch the filler neck, and ask whether the tank, filler tube or inlet check valve has been replaced. A service bulletin for this family of vehicles addresses fuel spit-back and the fuel tank inlet check valve.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “When fueling my 2008 aspen is complete it does not shut-off and gas spews out all over the car, myself, and everything else. This started about a year ago and then quit, it has since started up again with a vengeance of an explosion of gasoline. I first thought it was the pump, but I have gone to many different stations and there same thing occurs.”

   NHTSA complaint #10491541, filed 2013-01, 46,000 miles

   “Upon picking up the vehicle from the repair shop, I went to get gas. While fueling the tank spits back fuel and also disengages the dispensing of fuel. I've tried different gas stations and have the same issue each time. Fuel filler neck was replaced along with the fuel tank. This is a serious safety issue.”

   NHTSA complaint #10477157, filed 2012-09, 83,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag recall parts unavailable / airbag warning light

   • 12 complaints (18%)
   • median 82,975 mi at 7.6 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2017

   Many complaints are about the Takata-related airbag recalls: owners say they received the notice but the dealer or manufacturer could not supply the parts or give a date, and some were declined a rental in the meantime. A few report the airbag warning light chiming or staying on, and one owner reports airbags not deploying in a frontal impact. Others say the dealer would not schedule the recall work at all. Reported across a wide mileage range and mostly filed between 2015 and 2017, after the recall notices went out.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask for proof that the outstanding airbag inflator recalls were completed on this vehicle, and check that the airbag warning light goes out after the bulb check on start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was sent the recall notice for the driver airbag and when I contacted the Chrysler dealer they will not do any thing to fix the problem or to make sure that the people effected by the recall are safe and will not give a estimated day or time they could fix the problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #10746895, filed 2015-08, 109,162 miles

   “The airbag sensor light is constantly chiming on and off. The automatic trunk door opens and then shuts abruptly with force which can cause seriously injury. I contacted Chrysler and was told that they do not have any recalls for my vehicle and that I would need to take it to the dealership and have it assessed. Very frustrating to have to pay the dealership for issues that really should the manufacturers responsibility!!! Shame on Chrysler for not taking responsibility for the defects!!!”

   NHTSA complaint #10703291, filed 2015-04, 132,900 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Stalling or rough running after refueling

   • 5 complaints (7%)
   • median 115,000 mi at 8.8 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2009–2017

   Owners describe the engine sputtering, stumbling or stalling within a few minutes of filling the tank, sometimes while pulling away into traffic or in a turn, with a loss of power steering assist as the engine dies. Several say the vehicle restarts and runs normally once it has sat for a while. Complaints describe mechanics pointing to a check valve between the tank and the vapor canister letting raw fuel into the emission system, or to the on-board refueling vapor recovery system; owners note the valve is only sold with the fuel tank. Mostly reported between about 30,000 and 160,000 miles, typically right after a fill-up.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: After a test drive, fill the tank and drive a few minutes to see whether the engine stumbles or dies; ask whether the fuel tank or canister check valve has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The vehicle stalls while in motion regardless of road street or highway after refueling, we took the vehicle to the dealership and was told that the fuel tank & the on-board refueling vapor recovery system is faulty and that raw liquid fuel was going into the engine causing failing. We have little choice but to fix the problem, as this could potentially cause a fire in the engine and\or cause a potential accident as the engine stops while in motion.”

   NHTSA complaint #10838591, filed 2016-02, 160,000 miles

   “Every time I fill the fuel tank the vehicle stalls out while driving. I've had the vehicle stall out on me while making a left hand turn at an intersection and lost control of steering.”

   NHTSA complaint #10937154, filed 2016-12, 38,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   4WD engages on its own; hard steering and binding

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the transfer case shifting into 4WD or 4WD low by itself, including during low-speed turns, while parked, or even when locking the vehicle with the key fob. Owners report the service 4WD light flickering, the rear tires binding or locking in tight turns, and the steering becoming stiff and the vehicle hard to control when it happens. Some say a dealer replaced the transfer case motor, which helped temporarily. Reported from around 95,000 to over 160,000 miles.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Cycle the 4WD selector through its positions on a test drive and watch for the service 4WD light or binding in tight turns; ask whether the transfer case motor or control module has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The 4wd started to engage without being switched and with no indication on the instrumentation panel. Vehicle goes into 4x4 on its own. When we make a sharp turn going forward or backing...the rear tires lock up. The svc 4 wheel drive light comes on and off sporadically. I can also hear it switch back and forth under the car even when the vehicle is off. Periodically when you switch the dial over to 4lo or 4x4 lock the svc 4wd light just flickers off and on.”

   NHTSA complaint #10588801, filed 2014-05, 100,000 miles

   “Vehicle engages 4wd lo and 4wd on it's own at any time. Driving this vehicle is dangerous at the transfer case engages automatically while driving. I can also hear 4wd engaging while locking the vehcile with the key fob. This is a well documented issue on the internet and I have read hundreds of stories of people with the same issue. Dodge/Chrysler will replace the transfer case motor which temporarily alleviates the issue. The problem is electrical and dangerous. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11182498, filed 2019-02, 162,800 miles

Buying note. This model year draws a large share of complaints about fuel spitting back at fill-up and about stalling shortly after refueling, so a fill-up during the test drive is worth doing. Also confirm that any open airbag inflator recalls have actually been completed, and check the 4WD system and steering for binding or stiffness.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.