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:
5 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,429 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.
I have experienced on 3 separate occasions including today while driving my vehicle looses power sounds as if my transmission is not shifting or the gear shift will not shift. After I cut the off for a few minutes then I can shift my vehicle from park to drive without a loud screeching sound. Today, I had to use my emergency brakes just to keep my vehicle still after I put it in park. Seems as though the vehicle shifts into another gear and gets stuck until I cut my vehicle off. I believe it may be the transmission control module or transfer case issue. I know there was a recall on this vehicle for the tcm but I didn't have it done. I need help, this is getting to scary, constantly paying for a vehicle and call the manufacturer and nobody wants to do anything.
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled several times with no warning. The vehicle was able to restart. The dealer was contacted more than twice. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic more than twice and they had been unable to replicate and diagnose the failure. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V438000 (electrical system) and 13V175000 (power train, electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
While driving the service rear park assist message came on and the check engine light came on. When this happens all the lights around the transmission letters on the dashboard start to flash and the transmission starts to slip. This happens when you accelerate. Have had vehicle at the dealership for 3 weeks now and have had no solution to the problem. Am very concerned about transmission slipping when pulling into traffic.
After driving for short amount of time ( 15-20 minutes) the transmission seems to lag into shifting. There is also a problem when trying to manually shift gears. Tried shifting into low gear at stop light, and the indicator on the dash stays in ' D' and will not engage in other lower gears. It also appears to lag when traveling at a stead speed, about 30-45 miles per hour.
My vehicle stalls and cuts off when stopped at stop signs and traffic lights. The engine also shakes and acts as if it wants to die while driving. I took my vehicle in for recalls after I left the service center it once again cut off at the first stop light I came to.
- Kokomo, IN, USA
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For the passed 3 years our vehicle has switched gears from drive to 3rd gear, while driving. The vehicle jolts and changes gear for a few months and returns back to normal. We continue to use it at 3rd gear. There is no way to change it back to drive manually. We've taken it in to auto shops and the symptoms return.
We have a 2006 Jeep Commander and it sometimes jerks back and forth while driving sometimes it even shifts into neutral and then back to drive the power steering works only part of the time and the airbag system says its off all the time and it will shut off while driving sometimes too really frustrated with this vehicle its a disaster and waiting to happen
Replaced bezel gear selector 3 times since 2006. As of September 2016 a 4th replacement is required per golling Chrysler. Vehicle attempts to stall after 1-2 seconds when starting from a stopped position. The check engine light illuminates and a service message appears stating "service park assist system." Several times from 2006 - 2016 the vehicle almost stalled when entering intersections of city streets. Whenever condition occured the part was replaced (3 times). Part causing the conditions is part# CH68004143-af prndl bezel gear selector and CH52108308-ac connector electrical (transmission). I believe the gear selector and transmission to be defective due to the frequent failure which could cause a safety incident.
N23 recall performed prior to purchasing used Jeep Commander. A week after purchasing I receive a "service 4WD" message and am unable to to use 40. Chrysler dealer has flashed fdcm which corrected the issue for several days, however the service 4WD has come back on. The service 4WD appears on startup nearly every time.
Regardless of distance traveled, outside temperature, the 'transmission over temp' message appears on the dash. Had coolant flushed 2X but message still appears intermittently. Had mechanic look at more than a few times, however could not replicate message and thus no resolution/fix to problem. Jeep recently had ignition switch recall completed (thought that would never happen) but 'transmission over temp' would occur prior to that recall being completed. Thought the two were connected somehow. Main concern is the engine does not overhear, temp reads below middle mark but when transmission message appears, after a few minutes, transmission feels 'off' or jumpy. Something is definitely happening. Not safe to drive, not confident taking it on long trips because of possible damage that may occur, not to mention being stranded. This is my girlfriends truck and I'm not comfortable having her drive too far, especially in the evening. His is inconvenient because we take care of our vehicles, this truck has low miles, 62,000. Would really like to resolve this because we love the trick but cannot trust taking it on trips, towing our boat which was the original purpose of having truck. What a stressful vehicle to have. Very dissatisfied with this truck. Again, the transmission over temp would occur intermittently, on the highway at times, in traffic, small trips, after sitting parked after a short trip, message reappears once truck is started again. No rhyme of reason to this.
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. While driving between 55-60 mph, the transmission automatically switched into the neutral position. At times, all of the warning lights illuminated, including the park, drive, neutral, and reverse identification lights. The contact stated that the gear shift did not go back into the drive position right away. The vehicle had to remain parked for a while before any changes in the shifting could be performed. The failure mileage was 80,000.
When driving on the highway the vehicles engine just stops. Power steering is gone if you have to maneuver out of the way it's very difficult when decelerating it seems to down shift very hard like going form 4th to 1st the dash lights flash randomly when ever they feel like it. I've been thru 3 fan speed controls fir the heater this has been happening for the last 2 years
When driving my Jeep Commander it stalls. It happens when I am stopped and try to go or when I slow down then try and accelerate. My life has been at risk when this happens. One of the times I was driving on the interstate going 65mph and it stalled. I am extremely upset about this especially since I have a 2 year old son that is in the car with me.
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook and stalled. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation. The contact took the vehicle to the manufacturer who diagnosed that the ptm needed to be updated and/or replaced. The contact stated that NHTSA action number: EA07007 (electrical system, engine and engine cooling, power train) directly related to the failure associated with the vehicle. The dealer informed the contact that the NHTSA campaign number: 08V203000 (power train) for the year, make, model, and failure were similar because the investigation involved the 4.7L V-8 engine. The contact's vehicle was equipped with a 5.7L V-8 engine. The manufacturer was unable to provide a recall repair. The manufacturer opened a case on the contact's behalf regarding the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. While driving various speeds, especially uphill, the vehicle would independently shift into neutral. The contact also stated that the vehicle would not go into 4-lo and the transfer case warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transfer case failed and the software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V175000 (electrical system, power train). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that the transmission, the catalytic converter, and the windshield wipers failed. The contact also stated that the vehicle failed to shift gears and the seat belt failed to retract. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission solenoid and the catalytic converter sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the seat belt and the windshield wiper motor were not replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. While driving approximately 55 mph up an incline, the gear shift switched into the neutral position independently and the rpms revved without warning. While driving down the hill, the vehicle failed to accelerate and jerked forward as the check engine warning light illuminated the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 08V203000 (power train) or 13V175000 (electrical system, power train). The failure mileage was 156,000.
My Jeep upon being on the highway and in the right lane suddenly slowed down to the point of stalling and I had to bring the car to the side of the road and began shutting it off when coincidently the the light went on in the roof of the car and my headlight dimmed. I called the Jeep place for an oil change and they diagnoised the car and did a recall on the ignition switch and told me the powertrain transfer case is bad and thermostat leaking from the housing and 4 wheel drive failed. I have never used the 4 wheel drive as I recently purchased the car at the end of April and own it for just 7 months. They said it will cost me over $750 dollars to be fixed. I called Chrysler and they said my vehicle is not included however on your web site NHTSA campain# 13V175000 seems to apply to my diagnoised problems. I love my car but this is a defect in manufacturing and not something that I have done. The previous owner had this car constantly maintained at executive Jeep in North haven ct. I want my car fixed at Chrysler's cost not mine. I drive my car with my grandchildren in it and now feel it is unsafe.. please help me. I have all records for the car and the diagnostic information should you need it. I also have howard the manager at Jeep phone #.
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shifted into neutral. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact also stated that the vehicle was brought into the dealer for repairs under NHTSA campaign number: 13V175000 (electrical system, power train), but the remedy was not performed on the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that dealer refused to do the repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V438000 (electrical system) however the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, the vehicle independently shifted into neutral without warning. The contact powered the vehicle off and back on; however, the failure persisted. The failure recurred on several occasions when the vehicle was started as well as while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 14V438000 (electrical system) and 13V175000 (electrical system, power train), however, the parts to do the repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available. Updated 1/15/16 several transmission components were replaced. Finally, after many transmission failures, the entire transmission was replaced. However, the consumer continued to experience problems. Updated 01/25/16.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, GA, USA