2009 Chrysler Aspen

From 2000 through 2017, Takata produced millions of air bag inflators using two types of phase-stabilized ammonium nitrate ("PSAN") propellant -- propellant 2004 and propellant 2004L. After prolonged exposure to high temperature cycles and humidity, inflators using propellant 2004 can degrade, causing the propellant to burn too quickly when ignited. The rapid burning can cause the inflator to rupture during deployment, potentially causing serious or even fatal injury to vehicle occupants. See 2016 Blomquist Report at www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/documents/expert_report-hrblomquist.pdf.Consequently, all frontal inflators using propellant 2004 that do not contain a "desiccant" (a substance that traps and holds moisture) in US vehicles are under recall. These "non-desiccated" inflators either have been or are required to be replaced.In some cases, the remedy part for these recalled inflators was, or will be, an inflator using either propellant 2004 or 2004L that does contain a desiccant. None of these "desiccated" remedy parts (which were installed in older model year vehicles) are currently under recall for a degradation concern. Certain subsets of desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004 for use as original equipment, however, have been recalled for a degradation concern. All Takata inflators produced with propellant 2004L contain desiccant, and none of these desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L are under recall for a degradation concern. There have been no reported field ruptures in any non-recalled desiccated PSAN inflators.It is understood that desiccants fully saturate at some threshold, at which point any additional moisture will not be captured. This means the degradation process observed in non-desiccated inflators using propellant 2004 may also occur in non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004, assuming additional moisture enters the inflator and high temperature cycling occurs. Based on available information, desiccant saturation can occur within the first five years in the worst environments, and the time required for full saturation is affected by multiple factors. While no present safety risk has been identified, further work is needed to evaluate the future risk of non-recalled desiccated inflators using propellant 2004.Three entities -- Takata (now known as TK Global), the Independent Testing Coalition, and Exponent -- have been studying the long-term behavior of Takata desiccated PSAN inflators using propellant 2004L (as well as 2004) in the presence of moisture and temperature cycling. The research efforts, which include development of predictive modeling techniques and field sample analysis, are ongoing. To date, none of the researchers have identified field evidence showing that propellant 2004L is undergoing a degradation process that leads to aggressive deployment and potential rupture. However, the time in service of such inflators remains short compared to that of the inflators using propellant 2004. Further study is needed to assess the long-term safety of desiccated inflators using propellant 2004L.The Office of Defects Investigation is opening this investigation to examine whether a safety defect related to propellant degradation exists in non-recalled desiccated PSAN frontal inflators manufactured by Takata. This investigation will require extensive information on Takata production processes and surveys of inflators in the field. Lists of recall actions that may have used desiccated PSAN inflators as remedy parts, as well as the makes and models originally manufactured with them, is available with the downloadable version of this document (see nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=EA21002 -- note this information is subject to change/revision as the investigation proceeds). This investigation does not supersede EA15-001, which remains open.

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 substantial amount of fuel which I believe is a serious hazard.

NHTSA ID

11560824

Incident

Dec 18, 2023

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 face on the steering wheel since the airbags did not deploy. The contact temporarily lost consciousness; once she regained consciousness, blood was coming from her mouth. The contact immediately checked on her two young children who were both treated by an ambulance. The contact stated that her son was treated for facial injuries. A police report was filed. The contact had yet to seek medical attention for her injuries. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard but was later towed back to her home. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was a total loss. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11508680

Incident

Feb 18, 2023

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 able to park on the side of the roadway. The contact stated that a family member arrived at her location and assisted her with resetting the 4-wheel drive. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,369.

NHTSA ID

11451494

Incident

Jan 1, 2022

Mileage

109,369 mi

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 TEMPERATURE HAD BEEN +- ZERO FOR SEVERAL DAYS. IT DID NOT REPEAT AFTER BEING WARMED UP. IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE. 116,000 MILES.

NHTSA ID

11397410

Incident

Feb 22, 2021

Mileage

116,000 mi

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 HAVING THE SAME ISSUES! IN CONTACTING CHRYSLER, THEY OF COURSE, REFUSE TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN FLAW. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, IT IS A MAJOR ENGINE DEFECT WHICH NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I WOULD BE INTERESTED IF ANYONE ELSE HAS EXPRESSED THEIR CONCERNS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND CHRYSLER'S COMPLETE DISREGARD.

NHTSA ID

11386270

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

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 BACKWARDS, OR SLOWING DOWN. THE HUMMING STOPPED ALL OF A SUDDEN AFTER IT GOT VERY LOUD. MY ASPEN THEN FELL TOWARD THE RIGHT SIDE AND SMOKE STARTED SHOOTING OUT FROM THE PASSENGER BACK TIRE WHEN DRIVING IT. I THEN TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. HE SAID IT WAS VERY BAD. THE REAR AXLE AND REAR AXLE BEARING ARE DESTROYED AND IT WILL NEED A NEW REAR END. THIS VEHICLE HAD NO8 REAR PINION NUT RECALL COMPLETED ON 1/13/2014. IF THE RECALL REALLY SOLVES THE 2009 ASPEN PROBLEM OF THE REAR END AXLE AND AXLE BEARINGS FROM BEING DESTROYED THEN WHY AM I NOW HAVING TO GET A NEW REAR END IN DECEMBER OF 2019. I SEE COMPLAINTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED SO NOW PEOPLE ARE PAYING FOR REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. A $2500+ REPAIR FOR A VEHICLE IS AN AWFUL PRODUCT FLAW THAT CHRYSLER IS NOT BEING RESPONSIBLE FOR. I HAVE HAD CARS FOR 20 YEARS THAT I NEVER HAD TO POCKET MONEY LIKE THAT FOR ALL THEIR REPAIRS TOGETHER.

NHTSA ID

11288841

Incident

Dec 11, 2019

Mileage

196,000 mi

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 CERTIFIED MECHANIC, DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO CONFIRMED WITH OURISMAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF BOWIE (LOCATED AT 2406 CRAIN HWY, BOWIE, MD 20716, (855) 822-3228) THAT THE CHECK VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS MORE PROMINENT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,000.

NHTSA ID

11189703

Incident

Feb 5, 2019

Mileage

189,000 mi

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 SCHOOL AT 230PM , AFTER LEAVING POWERED ON THE TRUCK TO ROLL THE WINDOW DOWN AND THATS WHEN ALL THE GAS SPILLED FROM UNDERNEATH.

NHTSA ID

11162849

Incident

Dec 20, 2018

ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

ACTUATOR - A/C AND HEATER

Plate - Planetary

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.

Connector kit Before ordering this connector repair kit 68018957A$, check it in the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website to confirm part number and applicability. There is an error with the wiring diagrams in Service Library that is causing the incorrect repair kit part number to populate. Please use the Mopar Connector Repair Kit Website until this issue is resolved.

Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire. Upon investigation, it may be found that there is excessive camshaft lobe wear/lifter wear (roller failure) on one or more cam lobes and that camshaft/lifter replacement is necessary.