2007 Chrysler Aspen Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe fuel spitting or gushing back out of the filler neck when refueling, and a second large group reports airbag warning lights or airbags that did not deploy in a collision. Steering and suspension complaints describe the vehicle wandering or shifting sideways over bumps, and a smaller set of electrical complaints involve instrument panels, alternator and water intrusion issues at higher mileage.

1. 1
   Fuel system

   Fuel spits back out of the filler neck when refueling

   • 46 complaints (36%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 5.3 yrs old (39 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2025

   Owners describe fuel shooting or gushing back out of the filler neck after the pump clicks off, splashing the side of the vehicle, the person fueling and the ground. Many say it happens at several different stations and regardless of fill speed or whether they top off. Some state the dealer told them the filler check valve or the whole fuel tank assembly needs replacement; others report being told there was no recall for the vehicle. Reported from roughly 27,000 to 130,000 miles, appearing at fill-ups in everyday refueling rather than under specific weather or driving conditions.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Fill the tank yourself before buying and watch the filler neck as the pump shuts off. Ask whether the filler tube check valve or tank assembly has been replaced, and keep the receipt if a repair is done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Gasoline spillage when filling tank. Gas does not automatically shut off in time. After it does shut off a huge amount of gas explodes out of the gas tank covering the ground, covering me and my clothes etc. This is a major fire hazard as well as safety hazard for me and anyone pumping gas in there own cars at the pump across from me.”

   NHTSA complaint #10384011, filed 2011-02, 65,000 miles

   “Summary: fuel gushed out of the tank and sprayed over the SUV and myself at the gas station when I was refueling my vehicle. This seems to be an ongoing safety problem with this make and model that has not been corrected by the manufacturer.the vehicle was parked at the gas station and I was standing next to it. This has happed every time I fill up for the last year.”

   NHTSA complaint #10837083, filed 2016-02, 104,000 miles
2. 2
   Air bags

   Airbag warning light on, or airbags not deploying in a crash

   • 28 complaints (22%)
   • median 75,831 mi at 8.2 yrs old (13 state mileage)
   • 6 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2009–2020

   Complaints describe the airbag warning light staying on or chiming continuously, and in several cases airbags that did not deploy in a collision with substantial frontal or side damage. Some owners say the dealer could not identify a cause on the first visit, while others report the clock spring or wiring was found at fault. Some complaints were filed after the vehicle had been through recall service and the light returned. Spread from about 36,000 to 170,000 miles, with several reports tied to collisions rather than a particular mileage window.

   Recall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVE1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Confirm both the driver and passenger inflator recalls were completed and ask for documentation. With the ignition on, check that the airbag light comes on briefly and then goes out; a light that stays on or chimes should be diagnosed before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Airbag light continually appeared and beeped. Took the Aspen to the dealer, oliver joseph twice. The first time was 1/22/15. The service center told myself and my wife they could not understand what the problem was, and could not repair. I then called Chrysler corp customer service on 2/03/15, and they took note of the situation. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10745425, filed 2015-07, 68,000 miles

   “The airbag light keeps coming on and there's nothing going on with my car ignition messed up my alternator battery and starter. There's a failure in ignition that is messing up a lot of things in the car. The ignition had me in the middle of the road such as safety issue. When I use my four-wheel-drive a lot of complications started happening with my lycian alternator starter and battery”

   NHTSA complaint #11353386, filed 2020-09, 190,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Instrument panel gauges and warning lights malfunctioning

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 135,500 mi at 11.4 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2008–2020

   Complaints describe speedometers reading zero or showing the wrong gear, gauges and warning lights flickering, and in some cases the engine cutting out and the vehicle losing power. Owners link it to a failing alternator, a corroded wiring harness, or water leaking past the windshield or sunroof onto the fuse box. Several report the dealer could not reproduce or diagnose the fault. Generally reported at higher mileage, from about 23,000 up to 170,000 miles, sometimes after rain or when water intrusion was present.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Check for damp carpets, water stains on the headliner or windshield sealant, and look under the dash for corrosion at the fuse box. Watch all gauges and warning lights during a test drive and ask for any charging-system or battery diagnostics.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My four wheel drive automatically engages. Dealer wants me to spend money on parts and are only guessing that those parts will fix the problem. Not once have they checked the wiring. The engagement happens when stationary (unlocking the car). Sometimes when I turn at very low speeds. The lights come one when driving high speed but nothing happens. The following lights turn on: 4wheel service, electronic stability. I feel it is a wiring problem.”

   NHTSA complaint #11131915, filed 2018-09, 160,000 miles

   “When the alternator started to fail the driver's dashboard such as the speedometer and any other instruments malfunctions. While driving the speedometer would reed 0 miles per hours even though the vehicle is in motion. I have recorded the issue in a video format.”

   NHTSA complaint #11067347, filed 2018-02, 131,000 miles
4. 4
   Steering

   Steering wanders or jerks over bumps; loose front end

   • 9 complaints (7%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 4.9 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2010–2020

   Owners describe the steering wheel jerking and the vehicle shifting sideways when hitting a pothole or road seam, with several noting it happens mainly above about 40 mph. Some report a feeling of lost steering control or the wheel locking during a turn, and one points to a recall notice for the front end. Some say the dealer inspected the front end and found nothing wrong. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 86,000 miles, on uneven roads and at highway speeds; one report came at very low mileage.

   Recall 06V386000

   What to check: Drive over rough pavement and highway seams at speed and check whether the vehicle tracks straight and stays settled. Have the front suspension and steering components inspected, and ask whether the steering knuckle recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The steering jerks and car shifts when I hit a pot hole of bump in the road on my 2007 Chrysler Aspen and it has almost caused us to loss control of the vehicle a few times, you never know when it's going to happen or I would dodge the hole. Very scary when it does happen. We have had the front end checked and then tell us there's no problem. It doesn't happen unless your driving over 40 MPH and when your driving 65 on the highway, it's going to get someone killed one day. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11340034, filed 2020-07, 86,000 miles

   “Rounding corner when steering completely locked up; not allowing me to turn vehicle to make curve. Ran through field into electrical box. Almost ran in to house. Fortunately, my significant other is an experienced driver and was able to react quickly to ensure his safety. However, this vehicle was bought for my 15 year old son to drive when he gets his license. Luckily, he was not driving the car as he would not have had the experience to handle this accident without fatally injuring himself and/or others. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10607443, filed 2014-07, 87,000 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Sudden lurching or unintended movement at low speed

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 38,540 mi at 3.0 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2015

   A few owners describe the vehicle lurching forward or backward unexpectedly, speeding up on its own after an accelerator press, or shifting out of park while parked at a fuel station. Complaints mention the vehicle had previously shifted out of gear and the dealer could not reproduce it. Remedy attempts reported in the complaints include transmission or shifter repairs. Reported at very low mileage up to about 72,000 miles, typically during parking-lot maneuvers, reversing or when stopped at idle.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the shift lever through all positions, including reverse, and check that it engages and holds firmly. Ask whether the transmission or gear shifter has been repaired and whether the powertrain software reflash has been applied.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2007 Chrysler Aspen was in park at a gasoline station. The car shifted into reverse while I was filling the tank. I tried to jump in the car as it was rolling and was drug along the cement.the car was eventually stopped when the door hit a cement pole. This resulted in approximately $2200 in damages to the door of the vehicle and quite a few cuts, scrapes and bruises on my body. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10515487, filed 2013-06, 38,540 miles

   “I own a 2007 Chrysler Aspen with 1500 miles on this vehicle. I turned off the main highway on to a secondary road, when then accelerator was pushed the engine shuttered briefly then accelerated to a high speed on it's own. I pushed the brake pedal down very hard and it would not stop the vehicle,I had to place the transmission into neutral and switch the ignition off to stop the car. Luckily I was not at the school yard were I had just picked my child up. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10179531, filed 2007-01, 1,540 miles

Buying note. Have any prospective purchase inspected for refueling spill-back, airbag warning lights and front-end play before agreeing on a price, and confirm both airbag inflator recalls were completed. Records of prior fuel-tank or filler-neck repairs and charging-system work are worth asking about, since several of these issues recur unless the specific part is replaced.

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.