Head-to-head reliability

Chrysler Aspen vs FORD F 150

How the Chrysler Aspen and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

Chrysler Aspen443 complaints · 9 recalls Fewer issues per year
FORD F 15011,133 complaints · 144 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

Chrysler Aspen averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. Chrysler Aspen has 443 complaints and 9 recalls on record; FORD F 150 has 11,133 complaints and 144 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryChrysler AspenFORD F 150
Total complaintsAll model years combined443 Better11,133
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns9 Better144
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints29 Better319
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years147.7 Better1113.3
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints22 Better287
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints0 Better1

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.

What actually goes wrong

The problems owners report

The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.

Chrysler Aspen

  1. 01AIR BAGS108
  2. 02FUEL SYSTEM95
  3. 03GASOLINE95
  4. 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM89
  5. 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM48
In owners' words — AIR BAGS

2009 CHRYSLER ASPEN HYBRID HAS 3 RECALLS. THE FIRST RECALL UPDATE WASN'T SUCCESSFULLY DONE AND SUBSEQUENTLY I CANT GET THE OTHER 2, S43 AND S92 RECALLS ADDRESSED. FOR SEVERAL YEARS PRIOR TO P48 RECALL, MY TRUCK WOULD DROP DEAD WHILE DRIVING AND THE DEALERSHIP…

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 CHRYSLER ASPEN 4X4. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 16V947000 (AIR BAGS) AND 16V352000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER FAILED TO SUPPLY THE REMEDY PARTS TO THE DEALER TO RECEIVE THE REPAIR IN A REASO…

FORD F 150

  1. 01POWER TRAIN3,499
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,056
  3. 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,382
  4. 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,150
  5. 05ENGINE829
In owners' words — POWER TRAIN

The internal mechanical failure of the Ford 10r80 transmission due to design fault causes unsafe driving conditions as the transmission stalls (fails to power at request) or lunges (powers forward without driver input) causing unsafe conditions for vehicle oc…

The vehicle experienced intermittent transmission-related drivability issues before the recall remedy was available. The vehicle had delayed/hard shifting, an intermittent wrench warning light, and a reduced power/limp mode condition where the transmission wo…

Official recalls

Safety recalls on record

Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.

Chrysler Aspen — 9 recalls

Air Bags — Frontal — Driver Side — Inflator Module
#16V947000

The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2009 Dodge Durango and Chrysler Aspen vehicles manufactured January 17, 2007, to December 18, 2008, and 2010 RAM 3500 cab chassis manufactured September 25, 2009, to February 1, 2010. The affected vehicles are equipped with a dual-stage driver f…

The risk: 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.

The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began January 11, 2017. Owners may…

Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module
#18V021000Sep 2018

The defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2013 Jeep Wrangler, Chrysler 300, Dodge Challenger and Dodge Charger vehicles, and 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota vehicles sold, or ever registered, in the states of Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, Texas,…

The risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began February 28, 2018. Owners may…

Air Bags — Frontal — Passenger Side — Inflator Module
#16V352000

The defect: 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. With this change, Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2004-2008 RAM 1500, 2005-2009 RAM 2500, 2006-2009 RAM 3500, 2007-2010 RAM 3500 Cab Chassis, 2…

The risk: 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. These inflators may rupture due to propellant degradation occur…

The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair is complete. Chrysler will notify the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and RAM owners. Mitsubishi owners will be notified by their company. Dealers will replace the passenger front…

Power Train — Driveline — Differential Unit
#13V038000Jun 2013

The defect: Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December…

The risk: If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.

The fix: On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicle…

FORD F 150 — 144 recalls

Engine
#18V894000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…

The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…

Engine
#19V278000Aug 2019

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…

The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…

Seat Belts — Pretensioner
#18V568000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.

The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…

Latches/Locks/Linkages — Doors — Latch
#17V652000

The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…

The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.

The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…

Check the actual car

Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.

Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Chrysler Aspen or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

Chrysler Aspen vs FORD F 150 — comparison facts
Comparison
Chrysler Aspen vs FORD F 150
Chrysler Aspen total complaints
443
FORD F 150 total complaints
11,133
Chrysler Aspen total recalls
9
FORD F 150 total recalls
144
Chrysler Aspen avg complaints/year
147.7
FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
1113.3
More reliable overall
Chrysler Aspen
Chrysler Aspen top complaint area
AIR BAGS
FORD F 150 top complaint area
POWER TRAIN