CarComplaints.com Notes: Whenever a new product is introduced, there's bound to be some problems. And man oh man, does the 2006 Commander have some problems.

It's the plight of the 1st-generation adopter: you get the newest and shiniest in exchange for a handful of issues that get ironed out in future versions. But what happens when that handful of issues becomes a bucketload? The 2006 Commander has quality control issues like the door handles breaking off and the sunroof leaking. But what's truly worrisome is the electrical problems like the vehicle shutting down unexpectedly, gauges going crazy or the cruise control having a mind of its own.

Bottom line: if you want a Jeep Commander, you're better off looking at a later model year.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
21 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
10 / 0
Average Mileage:
57,991 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Jeep Commander electrical problems

electrical problem

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2006 Jeep Commander Owner Comments (Page 2 of 33)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #632

Jul 252019

Commander

  • 220,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle filled with smoke while driving and heard a large explosion that shook the seats, pulled over and called emergency services for fire under passenger side rear floor board.

- Dyer Brook, ME, USA

problem #631

Jun 132019

Commander

  • 134,000 miles
Takata recall as I was driving my car on the four lane my car started to have white rubber smelling smoke fill the car and all my dash lights went crazy, my radio kicked off and my speakers and my turn signals quit working. I started to panic and stopped on the side of the rode. I had my kids in the car so I first removed my children then tried to find the problem. At this point my car was completely full of smoke N it like as if it was burning down. My wiring in the cars passenger side rear floor board had caught on fire ! the fire burnt through my floor and my floor mats. I almost choked to death on the smoke and had to take the battery out of the car to kill the power and dump water on the floor.

- Ranger, WV, USA

problem #630

Jun 012019

Commander 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,951 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled and the security warning indicator illuminated. The contact called gastonia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (2339 E franklin blvd, gastonia, nc 28054, (704) 874-6000), but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the key was not programmed to the vehicle and the failure was similar to the failure listed in NHTSA campaign number: 14V438000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was contacted and provided case number: 58694595. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 158,951.

- Lowell, NC, USA

problem #629

Jan 182019

Commander

  • 145 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When we first got the car it was working like any normal car, however, after less than a month we started to notice a lot of change. The first problem we started to see was the whole screen turned off we are able to play music but only radio station that was saved. We are unable to tune/seek to a new radio station. Then we started to notice during the rainy season that water would enter into our car. After many tries of solving this issue, it is still happening to our car. The section where the petals are always wet and we have closed the sunroof and the cover but, nothing seems to work. Now today the check engine turn on and also the oil in the dashboard behind the steering wheel. We are worried about the safety of the car and hope to see changes soon from you. Thank you for reading the issue we constantly face.

- Union City, CA, USA

problem #628

Dec 022018

Commander

  • 150,000 miles
All the lights on my dash panel went on & I lost power of the vehicle driving down the road. It came back on then off & on. This has happened several times. My catalytic converter has broken into a few pieces. The dealership said this happens often to these vehicles & believes there is a recall on them. I have had my vehicle 4 1/2 yrs & this is the 2nd time it needs to be replaced. My struts have gone a few times on my 2006 Jeep Commander. The rear seatbelt in the middle & driver rear don't latch & when they do its really tight on my daughter. Lastly multiple issues with the rear doors both passenger & driver sides. The handles don't work all the time. They have both been fixed 3 different occasions. They open when they feel like it. The child lock is not on.

- New Durham, NH, USA

problem #627

Feb 012018

Commander

  • 141,000 miles
The door handles have completely disentegrated an the windows no longer operate. The seat belts work intermittently and the door locks unlock an lock at random. The engine starts an stops on it's own. This vehicle was my dream vehicle but now I feel totally endangered by the lack of care and design by Jeep. I feel it is a ticking time bomb ready to cause danger at some point to me or my family

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #626

Oct 132018

Commander

  • 129,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle will turn on but shuts off after a few seconds. Recalls were fixed

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #625

Oct 082018

Commander

  • 260,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. While driving 55-60 mph, the rear seat spontaneously caught on fire. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact extinguished the fire. Afterwards, the horn and radio failed to work and all the instrument cluster warning indicators illuminated. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact called the local dealer (jake sweeney Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, 85 w kemper rd, cincinnati, oh 45246, (513) 782-1000) and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 260,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #624

Sep 152018

Commander

  • 100,000 miles
At 100K with no warning, engine runs hot, I wait for 30 min to cool down.. drive again and it runs hot.. mechanic says head gasket blown..smdh.. along with that it was raining and the sunroof starts leaking. 8 months prior I had to replace the transmission. What a Jeep and I am still paying on it.!! the Jeep people needs to recall these and at least reimburse people, now im stuck with buying a 5000 engine on a set income...basically couldve bought a brand new car with the funds I put out so far..

- Midway, GA, USA

problem #623

May 252018

Commander

  • 106,500 miles
The vehicle has power failure while driving and while stationary with engine running! the dashboard instrument panel, gauges, lights, HVAC, radio, etc. Shuts off but the vehicle still runs, and it continues to turn off and on over and over again. Also, it occurs whether on a smooth surface in motion or when you hit a bump in the road, and it occurs when the vehicle is sitting still with engine running. It makes you feel like the vehicle is about to shut off. This occurs every time I drive my vehicle, regardless of the location. There is a safety recall for the ignition switch, and I feel this problem may be related to that issue.

- Hot Springs National Park, AR, USA

problem #622

Jul 012018

Commander

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While raining water drains into vehicle from sunroof causing electrical problems. Lights constantly flickering, dashboard lights constantly turning on and off, interior water damage, rusting inside components. This incident happens constantly forcing me to keep headlights on high beam at all times while the car is stationary as well as in motion on streets as well as highways. This problem causes unnecessary problems being that while the car is going through this the turning signals, wiper blades, air conditioning turn off and on. Even though my car was serviced under warranty for rear seatbelts the belts are constantly jamming keeping my children captive and at some points it will not successfully latch.

- Portsmouth, VA, USA

problem #621

Dec 202017

Commander

  • 74,000 miles
Jeep Commander 2006 limited 5.7 L engine. The complaint is as follows: While driving, at random, slow and medium speeds, all the dashboard lights activate at one time followed by immediate loss of engine power. (at no time did my knee hit the key or ignition cylinder) this issue does not clear up on its own. The only solution to avoid an accident is to immediately put into neutral, pull off the road or highway as quickly as possible. (at this time, the car is sputtering severely or stalls) next step- turn the key to off position, wait a few seconds and re start the vehicle. It starts and runs normally. The loss of power and dash light activation is occurring every other day. Upon my own further investigation, many reports have been logged (with basically the same complaint) on carcomplaints.com, with additional video proof on U tube ( just type in Jeep Commander dashboard haywire) with several videos of the incident. Chyrsler customer care claims ( as of today) to know nothing about it - told me to call local dealer, local Jeep dealer (car was purchased new) was contacted- they claim to now nothing about it. Told both agencies to get off their butt to look at car complaints.com or just view the numerous U tube videos. With this many complaints, I find it surprising that Chrysler to not be aware of this issue. I have followed all recalls and had the ignition lock cylinder and reprogram the final drive control module completed many months before problem occurred. Any assistance in resolving this serious safety issue would be greatly appreciated.

- Minden, NV, USA

problem #620

Mar 012016

Commander

  • 90,000 miles
All the electrical on my dash most the time is lines and flickers, but decides to show up once in a while for a minute or two. My big problem is starting the car. It does this click click sound most the time but then starts once in a while out of the blue. I have bought a new battery and alternator within the last year. It also slams from gear to gear! I have had four different diagnostic tests done by different places & I have been fighting with this for a couple years!

- Lewiston, ID, USA

problem #619

Feb 102014

Commander

  • 118,000 miles
Getting stuck in 3rd gear and windows not working due to a common short

- Morehead, KY, USA

problem #618

Feb 122018

Commander

  • 3 miles
Car stalls out when driving or taking turns. Also stalls out when car is warming up and nobody is in the car several times. I can feel when I'm driving it also restats it self when I step on the gas pedal.

- Amsterdam, NY, USA

problem #617

Oct 012017

Commander

  • 48,987 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. While driving 40 mph, all of the gauges illuminated and the vehicle lost acceleration. The contact was able to drive the vehicle to (jim riehl's friendly Chrysler Jeep, 32899 van dyke, Warren, mi 48093). The dealer stated that the vehicle did not have a recall and the control module and transmission valve body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was also contacted and was unable to provide assistance. The failure mileage was 48,987.

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #616

Dec 102017

Commander

  • 90,500 miles
My favorite, Jeep Commander 2006 3.7 V6. 103600 mileage. The car shuts down without warning. This has been happening from last November. I feel like I'm in a death trap because when cars going 60 - 70 mph on I-495 and car lost power. All I can really do is pray that my family don't get killed. The dealer fixed flipping key problem at the same year of summer because of the recall. This is really not related I believe. It happened 6 times mostly winter season between November through January eastern time last year, and this stalling problem came back last Sunday Dec 10th, 2017 while driving on northern state parkway to micro center in NY. 3 times already this season. The best way only I found for our safety. Slowly move over on the shoulder finding place to stop while speeding down, and have one chance of stop to break vehicle without power. However, luckily it starts again and runs normal. The dealer, daimler Chrysler consumer center. They never care about this issue and keep charging for the service without a solution. My research is on going to find ECM, pcma, and FCM problems. I am scared for my families safety. The car cuts off while driving on highway. Any ideas, please please please please please help us.

- E.Northport, NY, USA

problem #615

Dec 052017

Commander

  • 200,068 miles
Jeep keeps stalling when backing out of driveway and while at idle or at stop sign on city streets.

- Annandale, MN, USA

problem #614

Jun 252016

Commander

  • 119,000 miles
Vehicle was in motion and car shut down as turning right at street light. Had to restart car. Driver side door interior handle is broken. Cannot open door. Dash lights do not work, radio volume goes up as you are turning the controls down. Frame is rusted...told would be rusted through in another year. Car has 125,000 miles on it. I'm the only owner. Normal driving, no off road travel.

- Bloomsburg, PA, USA

problem #613

Jul 212017

Commander

  • 150,000 miles
1st my car has been having starting issues. The fuel pump was changed twice and that's not the issue.it seems to be coming from the wiring heading into the fuse panel in the engine. When I move it around it starts sometimes. And also when I put black tape around the wires it seems to correct the issues for weeks at a time. The problem is U never know when its gonna start or not. Now my engine, traction control and esp/bas warning lights are coming on. When that happens the transmission starts going haywire and feels like its only running on 1 gear plus when I reverse it feels like something grinds in the gears. However when those warning lights go off everything seems to go back to normal. Recently all the warning lights came on and the transmission over temp warning came on and my ac stopped blowing cold air and shortly after the car stalled in traffic on the highway. Thank god I was able to restart it but then it felt like the car drove all the way home using 2nd gear only in the automatic transmission. From reading other issues people are having online its obvious this model is having major electrical issues that no one seems to be able to correct. I am a Jeep lover but this model has completely made it difficult on me since its my only car and its so unreliable. I don't have the means to replace it right now so this situation has been unfortunate for

- South Amboy, NJ, USA

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