Is the 2008 Chrysler Aspen a bad year?
159 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Aspen years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2008 Chrysler Aspen are in line with other Aspen years. Fuel system stands out for this year: see below.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2008 Aspen owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 64,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel systemSTANDS OUT | 66 (42%) | 45k–108k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 43 (27%) | 58k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 16 (10%) | 54k–129k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 16 (10%) | 49k–148k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Steering | 12 (8%) | 54k–117k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Electrical system | 18 (11%) | 83k–131k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Brakes | 7 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 64,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 159 complaints: 11 mention a crash · 2 mention a fire · 10 report an injury · 4 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Dec 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2008 Chrysler Aspen: 2
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. 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.
The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver frontal air bag that may be susceptible to moisture intrusion which, over time, could cause the inflator to rupture. 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 death.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Chrysler: 33
Repair instructions Chrysler sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2008 Chrysler Aspen. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
Neighbouring years
2007 Aspen: 243 complaints, keep it · 2009 Aspen: 35 complaints, keep it.
Every Chrysler Aspen year
2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · All Aspen years side by side
Other Chrysler models: Chrysler 200 · Chrysler 300 · Chrysler 300C · Chrysler 300M · Chrysler Concorde · Chrysler Crossfire · Chrysler Crossfire Roadster · Chrysler PT Cruiser · Chrysler Pacifica · Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid · Chrysler Sebring · Chrysler Sebring Conv · Chrysler Sebring Convertible · Chrysler Town and Country · Chrysler Voyager. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2008 Chrysler Aspen a bad year?
159 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Aspen years. At 64,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2008 Chrysler Aspen?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: fuel system (66), air bags (43), engine (16), transmission and drivetrain (16), steering (12).
How many recalls does the 2008 Chrysler Aspen have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Air bags (NHTSA 16V-352), Air bags (NHTSA 15V-313). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.