Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
While driving the vehicle on a slippery road during a snowfall, my wife observed all of the indicator lights on the dashboard light up simultaneously. Shortly thereafter, the engine shut off, causing a loss of power steering and consequently a loss of control of the vehicle on the slippery roadway. As a result, the vehicle slid into a highway maintenance marker along the shoulder of the road, causing minor damage to the license plate holder and bumper of the vehicle. Our concern is that this incident is apparently due to a defective ignition switch, which is the subject of a current recall (14v-438) issued by the manufacturer on 9/3/14. However, the manufacturer has not provided a remedy for this defect, citing the unavailability of repair parts, and as of this morning the manufacturer has no idea as to when these repair parts will be available. …
I received a safety recall notice from Chrysler for my Jeep Commander stating that I May experience an unintended change in ignition switch position while driving, which could result in loss of engine power, power steering, and braking, and increases my risk of a crash. I have called Chrysler group recall center [phone], option 6 countless times, unfortunately many times having to hang up after waiting 25 minutes to get through. I have also repeatedly called beyer/Jeep/Chrysler [phone] and they have been very short with me and tell me the same thing every time I call- they have no date of when the part will be in. When I drive on the highway, I am terrified of losing control of my car. I have seen on the news people that have been in accidents because of this ignition switch and heard that Chrysler has a buyout program. …
November 24 evening leaving fuji (children in car) November 30 morning on way to work ? Hit mailbox (baby in car) December 5 morning on way to work ? Dies turning out of subdivision and stalls in middle of street (baby in car) there was one other instance when I had all kids with me?it was prior to nov 24 but I do not recall the actual date all of the instances the engine stalled, the lights (when on) went out, I lost the ability to steer and brake as well. The MPH ranged from 4 or 5 MPH to 35 MPH. There were times when it was warm and days that it was cold. Nothing seemed to standout as a possible "trigger" I took car to dealer after the November 24th incident. Tony in the service department said there was really nothing that they could do unless it was a problem they could "make happen" when they drove it. …
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. …
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. …
Tl* 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.
Just as I was slowing down to 30 MPH to enter a parking lot the entire dashboard lit up and then all lights faded and turned off. The ac turned off and the radio turned off. The car still continued driving but the power steering was gone, causing the car to shake and jolt mid turn. The brakes weren't working as they normally would resulting in a very dangerous situation had any other car been close to me at the time. I took it to my mechanic right away and he tested everything, including the alternator and the battery. Everything was functioning at 100% capacity and he couldn't find a reason for the check engine light to be on. This has happened 3 more times. I am unable to drive the vehicle in fear that it will break down or my family or another driver.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the steering wheel became difficult to turn causing the contact to crash into a pole. The contact did not specified if a police report was filed or if any injuries were sustained. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V438000 (electrical system) however, the part needed to do the repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
First annoyance was the inside door handle on the drivers side. It failed to open the door at around 45,000 miles. Then the rear passenger inside door handle just crumbled out of nowhere around 47,000 miles. Then around 50,000 miles the brakes 'felt different' when braking and it felt to hard to press down on the pedal to stop the vehicle. The brake pedal felt hard as a rock then the ABS warning lights came on and after a diagnosis I was told that it had to be replaced. Whenever we went through a puddle of water on a turn the jeeps steering would lock up and just kept moving forward & not turning.
Often my whole electrical system will flash on and off and has since jan 2009. Three times since March of last year vehicle has turned its self off while driving (complete steering loss), fortunately at low speed. Also, in 2010 ( I have repair receipt) my transmission control module went out. I had to pay a $200 copay per request of Jeep to have it replaced, after much argument. They said my particular 2006 Jeep Commander wasn't part of the recall, as was all other failing parts included on 2006 Commander recalls, excepting ignition. Still waiting on ignition fix, its been a year.
Steering complaints in other Commander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Jeep Commander?
NHTSA has 73 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Jeep Commander, 4% of the model year's 1,782 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Jeep Commander steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to steering 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.