Head-to-head reliability
Chrysler Aspen vs Toyota Camry
How the Chrysler Aspen and Toyota Camry 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 Toyota Camry: The Aspen averaged 147.7 complaints per year over 3 years, with 9 recalls, while the Camry averaged 205.6 per year over 10 years, with 31 recalls. The Aspen's complaints often involve fuel spills and stalling, whereas the Camry's include stuck keys and brake noises. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Chrysler Aspen or Toyota Camry 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 demanding to live with. Over three model years, it averaged about 148 complaints per year, with many centered on air bags and fuel system issues. Owners frequently report fuel spitting back during refueling and stalling after filling the tank, which can cause a loss of steering and control. Air bag recalls, including Takata inflators, are also a recurring theme, with some owners struggling to get remedies completed.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan that, despite a higher total complaint count over ten years, averages about 206 complaints per year. The most common trouble spots are the power train, engine, and brakes. Owners describe intermittent problems like a stuck ignition key, delayed acceleration, and electronic parking brake failures. While the Camry has more recalls overall, the issues tend to be spread across more systems and model years.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Chrysler Aspen | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 443 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 9 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 29 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 147.7 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 22 Better | 158 |
| 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 Takata air bag inflator recalls that may not have been completed, leaving them unable to get subsequent recalls addressed. This matters because an unrepaired air bag may not deploy correctly in a crash.
Many owners say fuel burps or spits back when filling the tank, spilling gasoline on the vehicle and ground. This is a fire hazard and an environmental concern, and some report Chrysler won't cover it under warranty or recall.
Complaints about gasoline often mirror fuel system issues: fuel spilling during refueling and strong gas odors. These are the same dangerous symptoms reported under fuel system, indicating a persistent design flaw.
Owners describe stalling repeatedly after filling the gas tank, sometimes losing all steering and control for 30-45 seconds. This is a serious safety risk, especially at speed or in traffic.
“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…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report an intermittent defect where the ignition key gets stuck and cannot be removed even though the car is in Park. Another common complaint is hesitation and shuddering while driving, often with the check engine light on.
Complaints include delayed throttle response when pressing the accelerator, with the car taking several seconds to move. This can be dangerous when merging or pulling out into traffic.
Some owners say the electronic parking brake won't disengage, requiring a tow and manual release. Others hear a clicking or vibrating noise from the brake pedal area, which the manufacturer calls normal but owners find concerning.
Multiple systems—stability control, power steering, blind spot monitoring, and lane keeping—can malfunction at once, according to one complaint. Such failures could distract the driver and reduce safety features.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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…
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
Chrysler Aspen or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The Chrysler Aspen has fewer complaints per year (about 148) than the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Aspen's issues often involve fire risks and stalling, which are more immediately dangerous. The Camry's higher annual rate reflects a longer production run and a wider variety of problems, though many are less severe. In practice, the Aspen may need more urgent attention to fuel and air bag recalls, while the Camry may have more frequent but less critical annoyances.
Key differences
- Chrysler Aspen complaints often involve fuel spilling during refueling and stalling after fill-ups, which are immediate safety hazards; Toyota Camry complaints more often involve drivability quirks like delayed acceleration or stuck keys.
- Air bag recalls are a major theme for the Aspen, with owners reporting difficulty getting remedies; the Camry also has air bag recalls but they are not the dominant complaint category.
- The Aspen has a much shorter complaint history (3 years) but a higher concentration of fire-related fuel issues; the Camry spans 10 years with a broader mix of power train, engine, and brake problems.
- The Camry has more crash-related complaints (171) and injuries (158) in total, but the Aspen's 29 crashes and 22 injuries over just 3 years suggest a higher annual rate of serious incidents.
- Check for fuel spit-back or spillage when refueling—if the tank burps fuel, it could indicate the known fuel system defect that may not be covered by warranty.
- Ask for proof that all air bag recalls (especially Takata) have been completed; incomplete recalls can leave you with a dangerous inflator.
- Test the ignition key removal in Park—if it sticks or won't come out, it could be the intermittent defect owners report.
- Listen for clicking or vibrating from the brake pedal area and test the electronic parking brake; failure to disengage may require a tow.
Before you buy
- For the Chrysler Aspen, run the VIN through NHTSA to confirm all air bag and fuel-related recalls are closed, and test refueling to see if fuel spits back.
- For the Toyota Camry, check for delayed acceleration by test-driving from a stop and listen for brake noises; also verify the electronic parking brake engages and releases smoothly.
- On both vehicles, ask for a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic familiar with the reported issues, focusing on fuel system, air bags, power train, and brakes.
- Review the owner's manual and recall history for any open campaigns, and budget for potential repairs if recalls are incomplete.
- Take a longer test drive that includes refueling (for the Aspen) and stop-and-go traffic (for the Camry) to replicate common complaint scenarios.
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 Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Chrysler Aspen vs Toyota Camry
- Chrysler Aspen total complaints
- 443
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- Chrysler Aspen total recalls
- 9
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- Chrysler Aspen avg complaints/year
- 147.7
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- Chrysler Aspen
- Chrysler Aspen top complaint area
- AIR BAGS
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN