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
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,250
Average Mileage:
131,250 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. new motor (7 reports)
2006 Jeep Commander engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Jeep Commander Owner Comments

problem #7

Nov 282018

Commander Limited 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,600 miles

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

I purchased a 2006 jeep commander limited 5.7 for my wife back in 2016. 3k oil changes like clock work and also maintenance in a timely matter, My wife was taking my at the time 4 year old son to the doctors. She had to pull over on the highway because the jeep started to overheat. I was able to leave work and call a tow truck. I did not want to continue to have her drive if its starting to overheat. Once to the repair shop, I was told the coolant hose blew off. OK, A minor repair and tow bill I can deal with.

Fast forward 5 month later; My wife was driving to the local store. She had turned around because she forgot her wallet. While the Commander was in the driveway running, the motor granaded. Had to towed to the local repair shop where I found out a valve dropped into the #4 cylinder and motor was destroyed.

I did not want to put out for another car note so we decided to bite the bullet and drop a rebuilt motor.

I have called Chrysler and sent emails with no responses. Since than, I have sold the jeep for what it cost to purchase and install the motor. I will never buy a Chrysler vehicle again in my life.

- Brian S., Piman, US

problem #6

Jun 152018

Commander Limited 4x4 5.7L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 181,000 miles

Happened to me yesterday, beautiful Commander 06, 5.7 HEMI, drove to the grocery store. I noticed the thermostat approaching the warmer side of the gage. I shut it off in the parking lot, still had not overheated. Left the store about 45 minutes later. Engine had cooled. I was almost home and the needle went over the middle line again.

I found a place to pull over, I parked and turned the engine off (less than a minute). Sat for about 30 minutes until I thought the jeep could at least get me home. Then it wouldn't start. Had to have it towed. Blown head gasket and it threw a rod as well.

Please add me to any class action lawsuit. I've babied this car from day one. If Chrysler knew about this, at least they could have warned buyers not to buy until 2007, when the kinks were worked out?

Additionally, I have replaced, the upper and lower heater core hoses, the radiator, thermostat and all of the hoses, all of the inside door handles and casings and the sunroof leaks into the floorboards when it rains. Appears their secret has caused a lot of unnecessary inconveniences, leaving people stranded, costing thousands of dollars in repair bills, and bottom line, it is unethical. They got their money for the high priced vehicles, now we want our money back. ADD ME if anyone is aware of someone that would take this to court for us.

- Yvette W., Charleston, US

problem #5

Jun 282017

Commander Limited Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 132,000 miles

Driving highway for about 25 miles. all seemed. fine. vehicle sat for 2 hours while at doctor appointment. got back out on highway and drove for about 10 minutes - noticed temperature gauge pegged all the way hot. no other lights or warning. driving fine. exited highway to pull into gas station, then warning lights came on and temp gauge went back to normal. At gas station, checked - no water. started to refill, thinking a hose had blown. added about a gallon of water- more than that and it was running out the underneath of vehicle. tried starting - started but wouldn't stay running. waited, thinking it needed to cool down. after 20 minutes, tried starting again - started and had AWFUL knocking sound. had it towed to mechanic - engine is shot. they said it looked like one of the coolant hoses literally popped, which led to water in the cylinder and subsequent engine failure. but no idea why it overheated in the first place. and why no warning of any issue???

- Shelly B., Wentzville, MO, US

problem #4

Mar 032015

Commander Limited Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 136,909 miles

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

The engine had blown. The valve destroyed the cylinder. Just completely unacceptable for Jeep to sell these cars. There are many out there. I had a loan on the car so I fixed it. I wish I had not. Jeep should reimburse me the full replacement cost for this Jeep.

- Sharry B., Burbank, US

problem #3

Sep 032013

Commander

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

My wife loved this car, it was perfect until it started stalling one night. My daughter was driving it, and called, it has stalled in the middle of the road. My mechanic was only a couple miles away, so I met her out there and drove it slowly over there chugging the whole way. He got under it, looked around and said "I hope it's not what I think it is", and sure enough, he called me the next day with the same complaint as the other writer; the engine had blown. The valve destroyed the cylinder, and I'm pretty sure it was the #4 too. No satisfaction from anyone.

The dealer, Chrysler/Jeep.. The cheapest would could get a new engine installed was 8k. This was bought used, and was worth only a few thousand more. My wife opted to let them repo the vehicle, and pay off the loan to save her credit. It's two years later, and we are finally going to buy her a new truck. and we are GOING TO STAY FAR AWAY FROM JEEPS!!

- Tom M., Spring Grove, IL, US

problem #2

Jul 172014

Commander Limited 5.7L Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 152,000 miles

click to see larger images

motor destroyed motor destroyed

I'm surprised that there's only two vehicles mentioning total engine failure. There are thousands of these vehicles that are out there, people have filed complaints on various automotive forums. The problem with this engine is that it gives you no warning no codes for the mechanics to validate any possible indication that the motor has an issue.

I had just had the vehicle in the dealership for a new water pump, and routine oil change, only to be told that I would now need to tow the vehicle in so they can terret down for an additional $750. I had just laid out over $2300 at the dealership. The engine died no sooner did I fill up the gas tank I was broken down in the lane of traffic and was towed to the dealer. What a nightmare. The un-professionalism of the dealership really made me sick, because they wanted me to automatically authorize a $10,000 okay to rebuild and replace your motor. Are they out of their freaking minds?

So long behold after many months of anguish, I finally located a repair shop to fix it for a fraction of the cost at the dealer. This repair shop replaces over 22 engines per week, from the Dodge Chrysler 300's, the Dodge Ram pickup trucks with the hemi motor, the Chargers and the challengers. This guy I is in business cause Chrysler can't make a decent product.

This is my third Jeep so I'm not new to this manufacture however I have never had a jeep fall apart the way this one did most of my engines in all of my cars have been well over the 380,000 mile range. As for Chrysler not one person had the decency to call me back in regards to my complaint. The dealership still called me to bring my car in for its oil change. It's apparent that this dealership does not pay attention to any of the notes, or information on each individual's vehicle I told them for over eight months that I was not bringing my car back because of a blown motor. They wouldn't offer me any discount, they did not offer me an apology; nor did they acknowledge my complaint.

Overall, this is a poorly designed engine that has thousands of issue and catastrophic engine failure. The national traffic highway safety board needs to go after Chrysler and insist that those consumers are purchased new motors for their vehicles should be reimbursed. At least a good portion of the investment I would say a good $4000 per person should be substantial.

- Suzy J., Covina, CA, US

problem #1

Sep 062013

Commander Limited 5.7L V8 Hemi

  • Automatic transmission
  • 116,000 miles

THE 2006 JEEP COMMANDER JUST STARTING MISSING & QUITTING EVERYTIME WE WOULD STOP. WE TOOK IT TO HAVE IT PUT ON THE MACHINE TO SEE WHAT WAS COMING UP AS THE PROBLEM. THE MACHINE SAID IT WAS MISFIRING ON THE #4 PLUG. WE BOUGHT A PLUG AND WENT TO HAVE IT REPLACED. UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, WE FOUND OUT THAT THE VALVE IN THE CYLINDER HAD SLIPPED INTO THE MOTOR AND BEAT UP THE CYLINDER WALL AND THE HEAD. THERE WERE PIECES OF METAL IN THE INTAKE AND EVERYWHERE. WE HAVE CALLED CHRYSLER AND THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE SENDING SOME INFORMATION.

WELL, WE RECEIVED A RECALL FOR SOMETHING TOTALLY DIFFERENT. HOW AM I TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE RECALL PART FIXED WHEN THE MOTOR IS GONE? HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS PROBLEM? 2006 JEEP COMMANDER 5.7 V8 HEMI.

- William J., Killen, AL, US

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