DodgeAspen1978Overview/dodge/aspen/1978/base/

1978 Dodge Aspen

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1978 Aspen.

The 1978 Dodge Aspen is the subject of this reference entry, marking a specific model year within the Aspen lineage. As a standalone data point, it anchors the discussion for researchers seeking year-specific context. The available information confirms its identity, and further details on body, platform, engine, or reliability are not provided in the source material, meaning any assessment of its standing in the model's history must rely on external documentation.

Model year19801979197819771976

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length197.2 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height53.1 in
Wheelbase108.7 in
Curb weight3230 lb

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

77V240000Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hood:LatchReported 28/12/1977

ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES, THE HOOD SECONDARY CATCH SYSTEM MAY BE MISALIGNED WHICH MAY CAUSE THE SECONDARY CATCH TO MALFUNCTION. CONSEQUENTLY, THE HOOD MAY NOT BE SECURELY LATCHED. Remedy: DEALER WILL ADJUST THE CATCH SYSTEM TO FULLY SECURE THE HOOD, WITHOUT CHARGE.

78V097000Suspension:Front:Control Arm:Upper ArmReported 01/05/1978

POSSIBLE FATIGUE FAILURE CAN OCCUR IN THE FRAME SUPPORT PLATES (FRONT SUSPENSION PIVOT BAR SUPPORT PLATE) THAT CONNECTS A PORTION OF THE FRONT SUSPENSION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME ON THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. Remedy: THE DEALER WILL INSPECT SUPPORT PLATES FOR INDICATIONS OF FAILURE AND, IF NECESSARY, WILL REPLACE THE PLATES. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BRACKETS WILL ALSO BE INSTALLED TO REINFORCE THE…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
23-30-801980-06-01StructureUNKNOWN

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Aspen. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 1978 Aspen have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.