Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 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. …
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. …
Power Train. The (TCM/PCM/TECM) Chrysler is recalling 24, 461 Jeep Commander vehicles equipped with 407 V8 engines. Th powertrain control module (PCM) was programmed with software that may allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions. This could cause a crash without warning. ( My Jeep turns on, but it is not able to be moved, it is stalled indefinitely). I asked the dealer @Rockwall Dodge, Rockwall TX to check the PCM/TCM/TECM. They refused. Said they were not able to check this situation. Didn't have that equipment. Electrical System. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The air bag lights comes on randomly. The engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems. I am unable to unlock the ignition on several occasions. Suspension. …
Ignition switch recall which was issued on my jeep commander was addressed and ultimately an appointment was made upon availability. However, since the recall, the jeep will not function normally upon initial start up attempt progressively into more attempts thereafter. Connection between key switch and cylinder not responding to connection, lack thereof. This occurred at first seldom to more and more random periodic "no signal, no start". Recalls are supposed to fix the initial severe problem, correct? Not result into another problem that wasn't present before, right? Found my time fruitless in getting clarity of this issue resolved from dealer. What can I do? What should be done? As the consumer we will feel the job done wasn't done correctly. Fact is there were not any start up issues prior to the recall addressed and ignition switch replaced/fixed?
Vehicle randomly saying transmission over temp. Vehicle may or may not crank upon turning key Vehicle downshifts to second gear while driving and has caused me to run off the road/slam on brakes to stop Vehicle resets itself to where Jeep dealership cannot even trace wiring harness for shorts or check to see if transmission control module works properly after having my commander from August to December. Suspect faulty Transmission control module/short due to poorly designed wiring and parts on manufacturer's behalf. Other issues include random codes with each new code reader, stereo wiring issues, vehicle changing from v8 to v4 randomly while driving, consuming excessive gas amounts only receiving 9 miles per gal of fuel Extremely dangerous to drive and do not feel safe
There are 2 issues I am reporting. 1.) The passenger front seat belt tensioner does not allow you to buckle the seat belt. 2.) The vehicle will go into limp mode and shift into 3 gear. I disconnect the battery and wait about 15 seconds and the problem is magically resolved.
Abs, traction control, and another light come on and goes off intermittent. While reversing feels like brakes are locking up. Transmission shifts different intermittently. I have seen that there is recalls for other 06 commanders that reflect the issues I am having.
My jeep will shut off unexpectedly, it will do a up and down idle increase and decrease while at a idle the abs will lock up my wheel tight to where itll drag while trying to move forward. The 4x4 low will not engage at all says service 4x4
While driving this vehicle through a stone tunnel on the blue ridge parkway that had no lighting within the tunnel the Jeep suffered an total electrical failure and a total blackout took place. Thankful that I was not killed and that no one else was in the tunnel at the time, the Jeep was coasted to the outside of the tunnel and off to the side on the grass. Had anyone been coming in either direction I May have had enough light but it was pitch black. I have read of hundreds of electrical failures in this Jeep vehicle and wonder why I was never notified. This is a product warranty issue for Jeep and it nearly was also responsible for vehicular homicide! The Jeep just cut off all electric and not even dashboard lights afforded visual. I have the park rangers report and she said this most likely was total electrical failure. …
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Electrical complaints in other Commander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2006 Jeep Commander?
NHTSA has 753 complaints about the electrical system of the 2006 Jeep Commander, 42% of the model year's 1,782 complaints. The component named most often is instrument cluster/panel (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Jeep Commander electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-438 (switch, Jul 21, 2014); NHTSA recall 13V-175 (electrical system, May 7, 2013). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Jeep Commander electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 26 crashes, 8 fires and 15 injuries to electrical system 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.