Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Jeep Commander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The problem started in January 2019. The vehicle started having idling issues, cold start in morning idles around 900, when put in reverse it dips to around 500 and wobbles back and forth while backing up, put in drive and it would be OK but would stall sometimes at stop sign- check engine light never came on. I had throttle body cleaned and fuel system service done and the engine light came on same day. Took it to the dealer for recalls and they replaced throttle body also. It drove OK for a day and I have the unstable idle back and the RPM jumps up while in drive but stopped at a light. About a week ago I am slowing down to stop at a light ahead and it starts vibrating like it is going to stall and the etc and TCS light came on and I shut it off and it cranked right back up and drove it the rest of the day with no issue. …
The first time it happened I was pulling out into busy traffic from a side street. I accelerated quickly and when I backed my foot off the peddle the car continued to accelerate. I tapped the peddle a couple times thinking it was caught on the floor matt (not).it back off and then it did it briefly again before correcting itself. This was all in a 10 sec. Time period..... The second time it happened I was on the highway. I stepped down to pass a car and the peddle moved to the floor and stayed there for about 15 seconds, released and went to the floor again for about 10 seconds. I had my foot on the break trying not to hit other cars ahead of me. Everytime I lift my foot off the brake we went faster. Then it corrected itself again. …
This has been the 3rd time this type of event happens, the first time was at a city street driving straight forward at 30-35mph and the engine started stalling, truck completely went off, head lights would go on and off, along with my interior dashboard indicators and media center. Second time, same thing, and the third time while driving at about 35-40mph in a city street and gradually slowing down to 10-15mph to make a left the truck completely went off, head lights would go on and off, along with my interior dashboard indicators and media center. It seem like I had turned off the engine completely for like a split second. I though it might've been that I hit the key with my knee, but I pulled over restarted the engine after 15 min, and the problem continued. All the lights would go on and off and the engine power would shut down, when putting the gears, it would sound very forcing. …
I was driving down the hwy and my vehicle turned off. I lost power steering breaks and was not able to properly maintain control of my vehicle in order to avoid an accident. This had happened twice before this time, and I looked to see that there was a recall on my Jeep for an ingition switch and the the exact discription of what would happen if my car was effected fit my situation. I then called Jeep and advised them of this and they said I neeeded to have it diagnoised by a Jeep dealership. I had the vehicle towed at my expensense and rented a car at my expense. The dealership confirmed my assumption and in fact the issue I was experiencing is part of the recall. Jeep now tells me they don't have the parts and they have not made a decision on whether it's neccessary to provide a replacement vehicle until they have a resolve. …
Tl contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. When the contact attempted to start the vehicle, it began vibrating and making a loud grinding noise. The vehicle failed to start. Once it finally restarted, all of the electrical components failed. The vehicle accelerated automatically and crashed into a pole. The contact was uninjured. The vehicle was unable to be driven away from the scene and was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the entire computer system failed, including the clock, heating and cooling system, speedometer, and all other electrical components of the vehicle. On a separate occasion, the emissions warning indicator illuminated. The dealer stated that they did not know why the emissions indicator illuminated and they replaced the ignition switch. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 19,000 and current mileage was 27,500.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, several warning lights became illuminated. Additionally, the headlights became dim, the radio volume independently lowered, speedometer and tachometer fluctuated. The vehicle was taken to bald hill Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram located at 1035 bald hill rd, warwick, ri 02886, [phone]) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The contact stated that several years ago, the alternator was replaced however, the replacement of the alternator failed to eliminate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.
When almost stopped the engine revved up like the vehicle was power braking..it happened twice on jan 15, 2015 and again on jan16, 2015...it threw us forward and thankfully we had enough distance between us and the vehicle stopped at the red light in front of us that we did not hit it....I consider this a safety hazard. It makes me leery to drive when it is acting like this...we did not have any previous problems with the Jeep before this date. I reported this to Chrysler and they told me there was nothing they could do about it..I would need to take it to a dealer and have it checked out at my expense. We have not driven the vehicle since jan. 16th.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the park assist warning light illuminated and the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate. In addition, the gauges failed. The contact also stated that the vehicle stalled on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The contact stated that NHTSA campaign number: 14V438000 (electrical system) was received in July 2014. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted on multiple occasions and was informed that the part was not available. The failure mileage was 70,000.
On December 2, 2005, my mother was killed in an automobile accident in stanton, delaware. She was operating my 2006 Jeep Commander, and the incident was caused by unintended acceleration. The delaware state police contacted the office of defect investigation as part of their investigation. The delaware state police have recently advised me that the office of defect investigation is closing this inquiry. Further, the delaware state police have advised me to contact you because I disagree and respectfully request and petition that the office of defect investigation go forward with and aggressively pursue this investigation.
Acceleration complaints in other Commander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Jeep Commander?
NHTSA has 82 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Jeep Commander, 5% of the model year's 1,782 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Jeep Commander acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 Jeep Commander, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Jeep Commander acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries and 2 deaths to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.