2008 Chrysler Aspen Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2008 Chrysler Aspen most often describe two patterns: fuel spraying back out of the filler neck right after the pump shuts off, and engine stalling shortly after refueling, sometimes at speed. Air bag complaints are also common, but nearly all of them concern waiting for parts under the front inflator recalls rather than a failure owners experienced themselves. Most reports arrive at higher mileages, typically past 90,000 miles.

1. 1
   Air bags

   Air bag light on; recall parts not available

   Mentioned in 13 of 60 sampled complaints

   Many complaints are about the front air bag inflator recalls: owners say they were notified but the parts were not available, in some cases for months or years, and that the passenger side had no remedy for a period. Others describe the air bag warning light and chime staying on while driving, and one owner reports curtain air bags deploying with no impact. A few complaints describe air bags not deploying in a collision. Reports from 2013 through 2025, with owner miles ranging from very low to over 200,000.

   Recall 16V352000 · DO NOT DRIVERecall 15V313000 · DO NOT DRIVE

   What to check: Check the VIN against NHTSA recalls and confirm with a dealer whether both the driver and passenger inflator recalls were completed. Watch whether the air bag light stays lit during a test drive.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On saturday, january 23, 2016 we were leaving our home at approximately 6 pm. As we pulled out of the driveway, the airbag light on the dash came on. On our way home later that night and while traveling at between 55 and 65 MPH while getting on to I-43 near green bay, wi. Both driver side and passenger side curtain airbags suddenly deployed despite there being no impact of any kind. As designed, the vehicle then shutdown completely, making steering extremely difficult. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10824722, filed 2016-02, 119,800 miles

   “Currently my vehicle's air bags are on a recall and I have been told that they only have a fix for the drivers side, not the passenger side. When calling Chrysler to ask what are we supposed to do about this. We were told to 1, not drive the vehicle or 2 not to let anyone sit in the passenger side. That metal shrapnel could seriously injure or kill someone if we were in an accident. Seriously!!!! We have contacted Chrysler several times asking why they are not fixing this or recalling the vehicle before serious injuries occur. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10967714, filed 2017-03
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Gasoline spills out of the filler neck when refueling

   Mentioned in 10 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe fuel gushing or burping back out of the filler opening right after the pump nozzle clicks off, in some cases splashing the person fueling the vehicle. Several owners say they now add fuel slowly or stop before the tank is full to avoid the spill. Some mention that the dealer could not reproduce or diagnose the problem, and others report related check engine codes for the evaporative emission system. Reported across a wide mileage range, from about 36,000 to 191,000 miles, and described as happening repeatedly at different stations.

   What to check: Fill the tank at least once during a test drive and watch the filler neck when the nozzle clicks off. Ask whether the tank or the evaporative system components have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I've been having this truck for a little over 5 months and every time I fill it up it never stops pumping when full. It spits gas out when it is full. I try to watch how many gallons I'm putting in it so I can stop it myself before it gets full but sometimes I don't catch it. It never clicks or stops on its own. I know my truck is 11 yrs old but this shouldn't be happening.”

   NHTSA complaint #11172996, filed 2019-01, 171,000 miles

   “The problem started off with everytime I pump gas and fill the tank, as soon as you remove the pump the gas spews out all over the place. This happened several times at several different gas stations. Suddenly on april 30, 2015 the truck died and would not start. It will cut on and attempt to start but would not stay on. I had the vehicle towed to the dealership and was told that the fuel pump is bad. Funny thing you can't seem to find the fuel pump almost anywhere!!! …”

   NHTSA complaint #10714564, filed 2015-05, 135,000 miles
3. 3
   Fuel system

   Engine stalls right after refueling

   Mentioned in 8 of 60 sampled complaints

   Owners report the engine cutting out within the first few minutes or first several miles after filling up, then running normally until the next fill. Some describe rough running, hesitation or unintended acceleration during that window, and a few say power steering and brake assist were lost while the vehicle was moving. Complaints mention dealers replacing the fuel tank, the fuel pump, or evap system valves, and one owner says the dealer acknowledged the problem but charged for the repair. Mostly reported between roughly 60,000 and 130,000 miles, and described as tied to a recent fill-up rather than to weather.

   What to check: Ask if the fuel tank, fuel pump or evap canister valve have been replaced, and try a full fill-up followed by a short drive to see whether the engine stumbles.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Three times now car has stalled while stopped following full refueling of tank... We did research on line... Is this similar to NHTSA action number : pe13016? Dealer knew what the problem was, fixed it at our cost but said there was no recall on the Aspen like the 300.”

   NHTSA complaint #10678557, filed 2015-01, 80,000 miles

   “Vehicle stalls repeatedly after filling up the fuel tank. The vehicle gives no check engine light or provides any obd codes to pinpoint the problem. The vehicle stalls both while in motion and when stationary, when in motion all power assist is lost including the power steering and braking assist. My wife refuses to drive the vehicle now after nearly getting into a traffic collision when the vehicle stalled while driving through an intersection and she lost all power assist with our two children in the vehicle. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11316117, filed 2020-03, 105,000 miles
4. 4
   Engine

   Rear differential pinion nut and seal

   Mentioned in 4 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe a clunk from the rear end and fluid leaking from the differential, traced to a loose rear pinion nut or a failed pinion seal. Owners report the nut being retorqued or the seal replaced, with the problem returning afterward. Several owners say the vehicle is not covered by the related axle recall even though the symptoms match. Reported from about 49,000 to 210,000 miles, with the noise often noticed during ordinary driving.

   What to check: Listen for a clunk from the rear axle on a slow turn or over bumps and look for oil weeping at the differential cover and pinion area; ask whether the pinion nut or seal has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My 2008 Aspen was built during the same time as the 2009 model year that had the faulty pinion nuts/shaft. Right at 170,k our pinion bearing is bad. I believe they same parts were used and dodge refuses to work with me. Thankfully it has not broke yet but the truck is needing to be in the shop.”

   NHTSA complaint #11112574, filed 2018-07, 170,000 miles

   “I recently bought my chrystler Aspen and as I was driving down the road I noticed a clunk on the rear end. I checked to make sure the spare tire or muffler wasn't loose and even took it to a local shop where we found a bolt located right at the rear differential that appears to be loose causing that clunking noise. I went online to see if any other chrystler owners had the same issue and found out that there has been certain dodge and chrystler vehicles affected and even recalled for this same issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11150002, filed 2018-11, 210,000 miles

Buying note. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on the fuel system and rear axle, since those are the areas owners describe most often; try a full refueling and a short drive afterward. Also confirm that both front air bag inflator recalls have been completed for the specific VIN.

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. Counts refer to that 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.