2008 Chrysler aspen direction signal will switch from left to right during a turn. It is intermittent at this time. *tr
2008 Chrysler Aspen electrical problems
severe 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 12 electrical complaints filed for the 2008 Chrysler Aspen, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 15 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2008 Chrysler Aspen has serious electrical vulnerabilities: water intrusion from the sunroof and body seals causes recurring dashboard and under-hood fires, junction box failures trigger surprise engine shutdowns, and the power liftgate has injured owners by closing with uncontrolled force. Expect expensive repairs that do not stick, combined with persistent check engine light and turn signal issues.
Water leaks are the core problem. Rain enters through the sunroof or body seals, pools under the steering wheel and on the driver-side floorboard, and triggers burning smells, wild dashboard light behavior, and complete electrical shutdown mid-drive. One owner paid over $2,000 to replace the radio and computer components after the first leak; the same failure happened again within two years. Another owner's vehicle shut down at 5:30 a.m. on a rainy day—all lights going haywire, burning smell underneath the wheel—with three kids in the car.
The junction box and fuses blow repeatedly. Replacing a fuse gives you a day or a mile of driving before the vehicle shuts off again on the highway. Chrysler service replaced the junction box and the owner paid for a new Power Control Module, but the cycle continued.
The power liftgate is a safety hazard. It closes with uncontrolled force and does not reverse on impact, striking owners in the head hard enough to cause concussions. One owner was hit so hard they had nausea and headaches all day.
Owners also report a persistent check engine light that stays on despite repairs at two separate shops, a turn signal that intermittently switches direction during turns, and airbag warning lights that chime constantly. The Takata airbag recall (campaign 15V313000) was issued, but parts were unavailable for an extended time.
Same Chrysler Aspen electrical reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Water intrusion causing electrical failures
Rain leaks through sunroof or body seals allowing water to accumulate under the steering wheel and in the floor, causing short circuits, burning smells, and complete vehicle shutdown mid-drive. Water damages radio, computer components, and causes dashboard warning lights to malfunction.
When: Occurs during and after rainy weather; reported at 2-3 years post-purchase and recurring within one year
Symptoms owners cite: Mildew smell from water accumulation; All dashboard lights going crazy; Burning smell under steering wheel; Vehicle shuts down while driving; Water pooling on driver-side floorboard and soaking seat belts; Radio and computer component failures; Check engine, EPS, and traction lights illuminated; Clicking sound under hood; Heater malfunction
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, EPS light, Traction light
Repairs/costs cited: First repair cost over $2,000 (radio and computer components replaced); sunroof/body seal repairs attempted at $850; repairs do not permanently resolve issue
Repeated blown fuses and junction box failure
Vehicle repeatedly shuts off while driving on highways and local roads due to blown fuses in the junction box. Replacing fuses provides only temporary relief (1 day or 1 mile before failure recurs). Junction box and Power Control Module (PCM) replacement by dealer did not resolve the pattern.
When: Reported June 2019 and ongoing; occurred at highway speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off without warning while driving; Loss of power steering when vehicle shuts off; Loss of speed making vehicle hazardous on expressway
Codes mentioned: Blown fuse in junction box
Repairs/costs cited: Chrysler service replaced fuses multiple times; junction box replaced by dealer; owner paid for PCM installation; pattern continued after all repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler service advised fuse and junction box replacement; PCM replacement required
Defective power liftgate closing with excessive force
Power liftgate closes automatically with dangerous force and does not reverse on impact, striking occupants in the head causing concussion and injury. Gate operates in uncontrolled manner when button is pressed and spontaneously closes.
When: Occurred during normal trunk operation
Symptoms owners cite: Power liftgate closes with extreme force on impact; Liftgate does not reverse when hitting occupant; Liftgate operates abruptly and spontaneously shuts; Occupant struck in head resulting in concussion and nausea
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler sent adjuster from Detroit to inspect and confirmed defect but did not repair; Chrysler stated no recalls available for this issue
Airbag warning light and stalling
Airbag warning light remains illuminated with continuous chiming. Vehicle stalls without warning while driving; restarts without issue. Owner notified of Takata recall (campaign 15V313000) but repair parts were unavailable for extended period.
When: Occurred around 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminated constantly; Chiming sound from airbag warning; Vehicle stalls without warning while driving; Vehicle restarts without issue after stalling
Codes mentioned: Airbag warning
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Takata recall campaign 15V313000 issued; repair parts unavailable for extended time; manufacturer exceeded reasonable timeframe for recall repair
Persistent check engine light
Check engine light remains on constantly despite multiple repairs at different shops. Light has been reset and addressed multiple times but continually reilluminates. No shop has been able to permanently diagnose and resolve the underlying cause.
When: Ongoing across multiple years
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light remains on constantly; Light comes on randomly while driving; Light goes off temporarily when refueling, then reappears
Codes mentioned: Check engine
Repairs/costs cited: Repaired at least three times; two separate repair shops unable to resolve; substantial funds spent without permanent fix
Turn signal direction malfunction
Turn signal intermittently switches from the intended direction (left to right) during a turn, creating a hazard for other drivers who cannot predict the vehicle's actual direction of travel.
When: Intermittent occurrence during turns
Symptoms owners cite: Direction signal switches between left and right during turn; Intermittent malfunction of turn signal direction; Turn signal light and sound not appearing when blinker activated
Radio and infotainment system malfunction
Touch screen radio ceases to function, preventing owners from changing stations or controlling any radio functions. Radio becomes unresponsive after water damage or independently.
When: Reported after water intrusion events and independently
Symptoms owners cite: Touch screen radio becomes unresponsive; Cannot change stations or adjust any radio functions; Radio ceases up completely
Repairs/costs cited: Radio replacement required in some cases as part of water damage repairs
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Vehicle shut off for no apparent reason while entering onto an expressway. Loss of power steering made vehicle difficult to control to safely get onto the shoulder. Sudden loss of speed made the vehicle a further hazard. Once on the shoulder, the vehicle could be physically keyed off, then restarted without issue. Cause of failure is unknown.
Had electrical trouble with your 2008 Chrysler Aspen?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 Chrysler Aspen?
It's a meaningful issue. 12 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 80,000 and 119,000 miles, with the median around 104,255. A quarter of owners report trouble before 80,000; a quarter make it past 119,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2008/Chrysler/Aspen.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.