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.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Chrysler Aspen vs FORD F 150: The Aspen averaged 147.7 complaints per year over 3 years, while the F-150 averaged 1,162.1 per year over 10 years. The Aspen has 9 recalls and 22 injuries; the F-150 has 151 recalls and 297 injuries. Both show serious issues, but the F-150's higher volume means more reported problems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Aspen or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Chrysler Aspen
The Chrysler Aspen is a full-size SUV that, based on owner complaints, can be a headache to live with. Over three model years, it averaged about 148 complaints per year, with air bags and fuel system issues dominating. Many complaints describe fuel spitting back during refueling and stalling after fill-ups, plus air bag recalls that owners struggled to get fixed. These patterns suggest that buyers should expect potential safety recalls and fuel-related drivability problems.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup with a much longer production run and far more complaints in total, but it also sold in vastly higher numbers. Over ten years, it averaged about 1,162 complaints per year, with power train and electrical problems leading the list. Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical glitches. While the volume of complaints is high, the per-year rate is lower than the Aspen's, but the types of failures can be serious and costly.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Aspen | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 443 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 29 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 147.7 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 22 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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
- 01AIR BAGS108
- 02FUEL SYSTEM95
- 03GASOLINE95
- 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM89
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM48
Owners report that Takata air bag inflator recalls were not completed because parts were unavailable, leaving them driving with potentially defective air bags. This matters because a failed air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash, increasing injury risk.
Many complaints describe fuel burping or spitting back out of the filler neck during refueling, spilling gasoline on the vehicle and ground. This is a fire hazard and an environmental concern, and owners say Chrysler often refused to cover the fix under warranty.
Similar to fuel system complaints, owners report gasoline spilling out when the tank is full, sometimes repeatedly. This can lead to strong fuel odors and potential fire risk, and it is a known problem that may not be recalled.
Some owners say their Aspen stalls repeatedly after filling the gas tank, sometimes losing all steering and control for 30-45 seconds. This is a serious safety issue because a stall in traffic can lead to a crash.
“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
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners report transmission problems like limp mode, getting stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame failures that can cause sudden loss of power. These issues can leave a driver stranded or cause a crash, and repairs can be expensive.
Complaints include lead frame issues affecting the transmission and output speed sensor failures that trigger limp mode. Electrical glitches can be hard to diagnose and may recur even after repairs.
One owner reported the rear window defroster shorted and caused the back window to explode outward. While this may be rare, it shows that electrical faults can lead to unexpected and dangerous failures.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting owners frequently report lighting failures. This matters for visibility and safety, especially at night.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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
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…
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…
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…
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 — 151 recalls
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…
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…
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-…
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…
Buyer analysis
Chrysler Aspen or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Ford F-150 has far more total complaints, but it also sold in much higher numbers over a longer period. On a per-year basis, the Chrysler Aspen averaged about 148 complaints per year, while the F-150 averaged about 1,162 per year, but the F-150's sales volume is vastly larger. In practice, the Aspen's lower production means fewer complaints overall, but the types of issues—air bag and fuel problems—can be just as serious.
Key differences
- The Chrysler Aspen has a much lower total complaint count (443 over 3 years) compared to the Ford F-150 (11,621 over 10 years), but the Aspen's annual rate is lower only because it was produced in far fewer numbers.
- Air bag and fuel system problems dominate Aspen complaints, with owners reporting fuel spills and stalling after refueling, while F-150 complaints center on power train and electrical issues like transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The Aspen has 9 recalls, including Takata air bag inflators, while the F-150 has 151 recalls covering engine, seat belts, latches, and air bags.
- Owner reports for the Aspen include difficulty getting recall repairs done due to parts shortages, whereas F-150 owners describe recurring transmission and electrical faults even after repairs.
- Check for open air bag recalls, especially Takata inflator campaigns, and confirm with a dealer that any required repairs have been completed.
- Test refueling the vehicle to see if fuel spits back or spills, and ask if the fuel tank or filler neck has been replaced; also check for any stalling after fill-up.
- Scan for transmission trouble codes and test drive to see if the truck enters limp mode or hesitates to shift, especially after warming up.
- Inspect the rear window defroster and look for any signs of electrical shorts or previous window replacement due to shattering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the specific model, focusing on transmission (F-150) or fuel system (Aspen).
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any transmission repairs or fuel system fixes.
- Test drive the vehicle in various conditions, including highway speeds and after refueling, to check for stalling or limp mode.
- Confirm that all safety recalls have been remedied and get written proof from a dealer.
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
- Comparison
- Chrysler Aspen vs FORD F 150
- Chrysler Aspen total complaints
- 443
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Chrysler Aspen total recalls
- 9
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Chrysler Aspen avg complaints/year
- 147.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Aspen
- Chrysler Aspen top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN