Most common 2006 Jeep Commander problems
Share of the 1,782 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Commander complaints by model year
Best Commander years: 2010, 2009, 2008. Years to avoid: 2006, 2007. Compare all years →
2006 Jeep Commander recalls (5)
Electrical system › Ignition › Switch
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015.
Electrical system
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013.
Power train › Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
Chrysler is recalling 24,461 my 2006 Jeep commander vehicles equipped with 4.7l v8 engines. The powertrain control module (PCM) was programmed with software that May allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the PCM software in all 4.7l engine equipped my 2006 Jeep commanders built prior to January 11, 2006. The recall began on May 19, 2008. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
On certain sport utility vehicles, the software programmed into the ABS electronic control module May allow a momentary delay in braking when coasting up a hill during certain conditions.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ABS electronic control module with new software that prevents this condition free of charge. The recall began on October 22, 2007. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Seat belts › Rear/other
On certain sport utility vehicles, the integrated retractor bracket edge on the third row seat May contact the seat belt during certain operating conditions causing damage to the belt webbing.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the third row seat belts for damage and replace any damaged belts. In addition, an injected molded cover will be added to the retractor bracket on both third row seating positions to prevent future…
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 5 possible defects involving the 2006 Jeep Commander:
Air Bag Non-deployment
Chrysler is conducting a safety recall of approximately 643,618 model year 2006-2007 Jeep Commander and model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles to address the problem of ignition turning off while driving (see NHTSA recall 14V-438 for more information).According to Chrysler, these vehicles may experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which may result in loss of engine…
ENGINE STALL
Odi has received 76 vehicle owner complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (my) 2006 through 2007 Jeep commander vehicles (subject vehicles).some of the complaints reported one or more incidents of engine stall with a simultaneous loss of some or all lighting systems, including headlamps.two engine stalls resulted in a vehicle crash.in its response to a request for information,…
Engine stalling
On May 5, 2008, Chrysler llc (Chrysler) submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning an engine calibration issue that could result in engine stall in approximately 24,461 model year (my) 2006 Jeep commander vehicles equipped with the 4.7l v-8 engine and built from February 25, 2005 through January 11, 2006.according to Chrysler, the powertrain control module (PCM) was programmed with software that May…
Petition re: unintended acceleration
Odi received a petition requesting a defect investigation concerning unintended acceleration in the 2006 Jeep commander stemming from a fatal incident that occurred in delaware in December 2005.after a careful review of the circumstances surrounding this incident, odi finds no evidence to indicate the influence of a manufacturing defect.likewise, no similar complaints concerning this model exist in the odi complaint…
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three…
What 2006 Jeep Commander owners say
Electrical system all 753 →
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that the radio would make an abnormal ticking sound while starting the vehicle with the ignition key. The contact also stated that the vehicle also had lost motive power and stalled while accelerating from a complete stop. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred several times. The contact stated while driving above 40 MPH uphill with his 8 months pregnant wife sitting in the front passenger's seat, the vehicle shuddered, stalled inadvertently, and started rolling backward. The brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact stated that he was unable to shift into park (P) as the gear shifter was stuck. The contact turned the vehicle towards a wall to avoid crashing into another vehicle, and the vehicle stopped. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. …
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that the dealer had performed the recall repair for NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V438000 (Electrical System) on the vehicle; however, after the repair, the key fob and the radio became inoperable. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where the ignition switch was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer referred the contact to an independent technician for the reprogramming of the key Fob. The contact stated that he took the vehicle to a second dealer, Chrysler of Lawrenceburg (1181 Bypass S, Lawrenceburg, KY 40342) instead; however, the dealer informed the contact that the key fob could not be reprogrammed. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition switch failed, which required the contact to jiggle the ignition key inside the ignition switch several times to start the vehicle. …
Engine & cooling all 497 →
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving at 55-65 MPH, several unknown warning lights were illuminated and the vehicle lost electrical power temporarily. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure could not be replicated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly and the vehicle would stall while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle would go into limp mode and would not shift out of third gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The contact also stated that the transmission was shifting hard. …
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the failure was intermittent but a recurring failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the 12-Volt battery had been replaced approximately 2 years ago due to battery drainage issues. The contact stated that the failure with the 12-Volt battery being drained and had jumpstart the vehicle several times. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V203000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact also replaced the ECM module independently. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
Transmission & drivetrain all 315 →
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving at 55-65 MPH, several unknown warning lights were illuminated and the vehicle lost electrical power temporarily. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure could not be replicated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring increasingly and the vehicle would stall while driving. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle would go into limp mode and would not shift out of third gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring intermittently. The contact also stated that the transmission was shifting hard. …
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the failure was intermittent but a recurring failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the 12-Volt battery had been replaced approximately 2 years ago due to battery drainage issues. The contact stated that the failure with the 12-Volt battery being drained and had jumpstart the vehicle several times. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V203000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact also replaced the ECM module independently. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. …
2006 Jeep Commander engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.7L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | RWD | 13 / 18 / 15 |
| 4.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Jeep Commander a good car?
Based on 1,782 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Commander rates avoid: 6.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the Commander at the same age. It is one of the Commander years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Jeep Commander?
The electrical system — 753 complaints, 42% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the engine & cooling (497) and transmission & drivetrain (315).
How many recalls does the 2006 Jeep Commander have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2006 Jeep Commander, the most recent from July 21, 2014 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Commander?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2009 and 2008. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2006 and 2007. See the full Jeep Commander years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Jeep Commander problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 72,000 miles; 32% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.