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:
6 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,076 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.
Driving North from detroit with my uncle, passing a semi on I 75 at about 70-75. The engine just quit, likesome turned the key off. Got to the side of the road, put vec. In park started back up drove home. Took Jeep to al serra, S the 29 th got it back 6/2/14 found no reason why it shut down. June 15 th when driving on bristol road at 45 mph it quit again, took it back to al serra, S 2days later got it back, still couldn't find cause.
My beloved Jeep Commander suddenly shut off while driving at 40mph. With no prior problems or warning signs the engine completely stalled- instantly I lost both power steering & brakes. Needless to say I was terrified. After much confusion & hassle I was told to replace my key. (reason being the 'chip' inside was malfunctioning.) I replaced the $270 key which solved nothing. To my surprise, many Commander owners experience this same problem with no help from Jeep. Not only do Jeep dealerships ignore the potential recall warning on the Commander, but they actually recommend expensive 'solutions' that do not even touch the known problem. It seems as though there are no solutions for this faulty system, given that no dealership can successfully stop the shutting off. There are way too many owners experiencing the same dangerous stall. I cannot in good conscience ignore the fact that this problem goes beyond inconvenience; this is potentially very dangerous and the Jeep Commander needs to be recalled.
Driving home from work yesterday, when my steering wheel suddenly locked and truck started dying, and I almost hit a guard rail. Turned the engine completely off and tried to turn the engine back on, but my truck would not start. Had the truck towed to the dealer that day 04/25/2014. Received a call from the dealer on today's date 04/26/2014; truck needs a new tipm module. A new tipm module was just put in my truck at the same dealer a few days short of a year ago (04/27/2013). Problem is so common with Chrysler that the module is on back order (nationally). There is no recall for this issue and it is seriously dangerous! I have read other complaints in regards to the tipm module (lawsuits as well). Does someone have to die before Chrysler does something? I am now afraid to drive my vehicle after the new tipm module is put in (whenever that will be) or to have passengers ride in my vehicle. Please please please help before someone is seriously injured or killed. I have no idea what I'll do to get back and forth to work because module is on back order and the dealer does not do loaners.
The vehicle randomly shuts off. The dash gauges flicker and/or go off for a brief time. If breaks are engaged at that time, ABS stops. If headlights are on auto, they turn off. If turning a hard left or right (such as turning into a driveway, turning on to a street, parking) power steering stops working. If the lights are on but not on auto the lights stay on. The radio stays on. These symptoms would indicate that there is a problem with the ignition switch. When this issue occurs, it seems to stop by pushing on the key. This has happened multiple times. After visiting this page, a log will be created to record date, time, and speed. This is a huge safety issue. After much research many users of internet forums for Jeep, complain about this issue (reference urls can be provided). The NHTSA campaign number: 14V047000 sounds very similar in nature. Could the NHTSA look in to the parts being the same?
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the steering wheel became very difficult to maneuver and caused her to lose control of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle veered off the roadway and crashed into several trees. A police report was not filed of the incident. The contact mentioned that the front passenger and a rear passenger were air lifted from the scene for treatment of severe injuries. The contact mentioned that both passengers had to undergo several surgeries to reconstruct the muscled in their legs which were damaged in the crash. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed and was not inspected to determine the cause of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.
- Saylorburg, PA, USA
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While driving the Commander at various speeds everything suddenly turns off. Acceleration is immediately decreased and all dashboard functions are gone. I have to shift to neutral and re-start the engine, all while still driving. This is very dangerous. I have had this car for 2 months.
I purchased my 2006 Jeep Commander from city auto in memphis, tn on 9/14/11 and was told it was a one-owner vehicle originating from the state of Pennsylvania. I noticed hesitation in the transmission and variances (rough - up and down) in the idling shortly after my purchase. I then started to get the "transmission/engine" light coming on. But it would go away almost as quick as it would come on. I then had my engine stall while driving full speed on the interstate. I lost all power! fortunately, I was able to get over to the shoulder safely! we immediately started doing some research on various forums, including Jeep forum, on the "stalling issue" and "lights coming on intermittently". my husband took it to our local autozone and they hooked it up to their coding scanner machine. It gave us the code to change the map sensor needed to be changed. My husband changed this out last summer (2013). It helped for a little bit. :( then began having the same issues, stalling out while driving, check engine light coming on/off and rough idling. Husband went back and had them hook up to coding machine and this time was given the code for O2 sensor, which he purchased and changed out. Now it's worse than ever! it won't even stay idled. It stalls almost immediately! I have to keep my foot on the gas (and brake when needed) all the time! if I let it go below 1000rpms it dies! we took it to a mechanic & was told the PCM was bad. But he told us that there were recalls that may fix the issue. So we took it to a dealership who performed the recall but unfortunately it did not fix the problems. This is a very expensive "fix" to a problem that appears to have never have been resolved properly by the manufacturer!! this needs to be addressed by the manufacturer as it is a major driving & safety hazard!
We were traveling home on the interstate going about 75 mph, and all of a sudden everything lights up on the dashboard, and my Jeep Commander starts shutting down without warning! we had to coast off of a exit ramp, and were thankful we did not get smacked from behind or killed! this is the third time that this happened to me. One other time I was taking my child to school, and it just shut off without warning while the truck was in motion, and I had to coast off to the side to a cvs pharmacy parking lot! another problem with this particular truck is that the door handles are poorly made. All of my door handles just started crumbling one by one and will not open from the inside. I have already put in a complaint about the door handles to NHTSA. The last complaint that I have is when it rains heavily, a huge puddle will dampen my passenger side because water is backed up in the sunroof drains. Jeep has cheated a lot of people with this Jeep Commander! it has too many problems to count and everything cost more than what the Jeep is worth! I will never deal with Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge again! they are a bunch of crooks! NHTSA please do something ! this broken door handle issue and shutting off without warning is going to get someone seriously hurt or killed!
I was driving down the hwy at 60 mph. My Jeep suddenly slowed down without me pushing the brake. I pulled over as much as possible. The power steering went out as well. It would not start back up.
I purchased the Commander in September 2012. It ran great for a few months and then it started to stall. I replaced the maps sensor and tps sensor and it's still stalling. The stalling is at random and has happened many time while I was on the highway going 65+. that's exteremly dangerous and this issue should have been resolved by now. Doing research online I know see that there is thousands of people with this very same issue and no one has successfully resolved it. There is an obvious defect with this Jeep and Chrysler needs to be held accountable. I blame myself for not doing any proper research before purchasing. I will never buy another Chrysler product again.
I have just purchased this used 2006 Jeep Commander 1 week ago. The vehicle is in great condition, no previous accidents, no engine lights/error codes. On the 2nd day of owning the Jeep I experienced my first stall, and since then 4 more stalls. There is no engine lights, error codes, etc. The vehicle seems to be 100% okay, however the vehicle has just shut off 4 times losing brakes, steering, lights, etc - whether I am moving or at a stop. At first I thought "I must have bought a lemon" but I have been reading through several forums and blogs that there are 100's if not 1,000's of people who are experiencing the same issue with their 5.7L hemi Commander, and some of the blogs date back to 2006 when these vehicles were brand new with less than a thousand miles on them. One person actually suffered an accident due to this electrical issue - losing control of steering and brakes. Because their is no engine codes or lights dealerships are not assessing the issue at all or are just throwing parts at it hoping it is fixed and charging the customer a boat load of money. Several people have identified that the issue potentially resides in the PCM and the ignition coils, some say that the coils put of an em interference that is disrupting the PCM. Regardless - Chrysler needs to get this fixed so no one else gets hurt, or killed.
I bought this car from a used dealership I have only owned this vehicle for about 3 months. Have been having trouble for the last month and a half. And it all began on the interstate. I was traveling on the interstate doing about 75 and it just shut off in the middle of a cluster of cars and I had to go over 2 lanes to get to the shoulder. I lost steering and brakes within 10 seconds. One of the most scariest rides ever. I am now afraid to travel on the interstate with this vehicle. Since this has happened it has shut off an additional 5 times I took it to the dealership cause the engine light was on and they said it was a map sensor, I have replaced this twice already. Now it doesn't idle right and looses power in between 30 and 35 mph. And the engine light has once again came on. Haven't had it checked yet cause it is a Saturday night guess I will have to take it somewhere on Monday.
Approx 2 miles from work - making a right hand turn at a light. Hazards on - taking precaution... car behind me. Once I make the turn my car completely shuts off again. No brakes not steering - nothing... my car just happened to coast to the right as it is.... car behind missed me by an inch of slamming into me. Waited a good 1/2 hour - my husband came and drove it the rest of the way to the work parking lot. I called Jeep in lugoff SC and like every other dealership out there - they have no memory of hearing of any 2006 - 2007 Jeep Commander problems. I have called chyrsler care 8009921997 - dealerships... they all make me out to be crazy. I am going to report them to the BBB as well. I have 3 children - 9,8, and 20 mths old. Chrysler must be waiting for someone to get killed.... I normally take the hwy to work - but today for some reason I decided to head to work on a back road..... I can not believe with all the issues and complaints I have read about this same problem - that it is even legal to sell this car used, ...
Jeep Commander 2006 completely shut down, steering locked up and the brakes locked up, while going in motion. Could have been in a fatal accident. Happened several times before reaching destination. Dealer stated that the control module needed to be replaced.
This has happened twice, I was driving home from work at 55mph with my new born child, and the engine shut off, the electirc shut off and the power sterring quit. The car behind me almost smashed into me. The Jeep came to a stop and then I turned the key and it turned back on. Please help me!
Since the first few months that I owned this 2006 Jeep Commander it has randomly shut down while I am driving. I have noticed that it happens more often in the summer. It has been taken in and had PCM reprogramming, parts replaced, and other work. At the time we purchased it my husband was the GM at the dealership. The tech's tried everything. Since then the dealership has switched to another automotive group. I have contacted several Jeep service departments and many say there is nothing they can do. They are aware of the problem, but have no solutions other than what has already been done. I drive on highways with my two children often and several times it has cut off when speed limits where 65+ mph. I do not want to pass this problem along to another owner. I managed service departments for years and know how to react to problems, but I am concerned that Jeep has done nothing to fix this. I know of several other owners who purchased vehicles at the same time who had the same problem. Many have been traded in and now new owners are having to deal with this dangerous condition.
I have a 2006 Jeep Commander limited. I was driving home this morning and all off a sudden just before I went to turn into my driveway the steering went stiff and started making a whining noise...now can hardly steer it at all...I think the power steering pump or the rack and pinion steering is toast...its a huge job as for you have to drop the front diff to replace..very expensive and is not under my warrant....vehicle is only at 80,000 km now...I bought it used last week and have only drove it for 1,500km...not cool!! why is this happening on so many Jeep!!"???? Chrysler not doing a thing about it???? safe??".....I don't think so!
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact was driving approximately 2 mph in reverse, there was a clicking noise and the vehicle started to shake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the failure was contributed to the power steering. The vehicle was repaired. Prior to the repair the vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics; however, a diagnostic test was not performed, and the second mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure and current mileages were 37,000.
I was driving my Jeep Commander home from work. I turned the corner and the Jeep abruptly stopped moving. It felt like I hit a cement block. The Jeep would not move backward or forward. I got out to see what happened, and to my amazement I saw the front right tire folded underneath the vehicle. Because of the way it was positioned, it had not changed the height of the vehicle. When the tow truck pulled it onto the flatbed, the tire dislodged and the front end crashed to the ground, smashing it. In the morning I determined that the ball joint broke and the tire came off the axel. I am lucky to be alive because I drive all day for work and could easily have been on the highway. My wife could have been driving. We are afraid that even if we get this repaired that maybe it will happen again. This should not be an issue with only 70K miles and a vehicle that has been well maintained by a Jeep dealer.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Burton, MI, USA