Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2008 Jeep Commander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
2008 Jeep Commander, 4.7L, QDII system. Vehicle experiences a sudden an unexpected loss of power and braking action while driving at speed. After loss of power, ABS, Stability Control, Brake, Check engine light, dash board warning lights illuminate and flash. Park assist and service 4wd error messages flash intermittently. Vehicle begins to buck and surge, accelerator becomes unresponsive. Has occurred at highway speed of 70mph, 50mph, 35mph. Loss of control of vehicle is sudden an unexpected with no advance warning. Vehicle has been to my local jeep dealer 4 times for repair (in under 1000 miles) multiple components replaced with no correction to issue.
I was in the freeway going 68-70 mph with my wife and kids where a red lightning Appears on the upper right corner, vehicle steering locked and tuned off while cars were coming. I was able to turn vehicle back on and move to the right of the freeway. Turns out it has a recall on it. I took it to Browning Dodge in Norca Ca. They say they fixed my recall I picked up my Jeep , it drove ok for a few days and it started doing the same malfunction. They said they are unable to work on my vehicle due to throttle body that was replaced by a professional mechanic.
Woke up and it wouldn't crank, been driving it every day, Ignition module front control module May be bad like stated in the recall, won't turn over or crank, transmission input output sensors idk maybe transmission module, wouldn't go over 40 I'm wondering if my Jeep has problems like stated in the recall. Technicians at James Ceranti Chrysler dodge Jeep says it's electrical
The Electrical System has failed. The center sound system shuts off and reboots on its own every hour or 2 causing electronic failure and has proven to get worse over time. Following that the Jeep will randomly not start, mechanics have told me that it must be the Electrical System because it is not starter, alternator or the battery. Failure to start engine has occurred over 20 times...effecting my ability to drive to work a few times. Power Train has failure has caused electronic control, software, shift lever/gear control and indicator devices, torque, drive axles, hubs, shafts, CV joints, housings and related safety systems to fail/stop working while in drive; example the Jeep was driving 50 miles an hour and transmission gears shut down and i tried shifting into neutral attempt to start transmission/engine failure. All transmission gears shut off. …
Electrical System is failing. Began with the Electrical sunroof will not open/OR slide all the way open, the sunroof Electrical problem has been this way since I purchased it in 04/2019. Next the touchscreen panel for the radio AM/FM, will shit off while driving down the road randomly and sporadically. CD Player quit working indefinitely, i cant even get my CD out of the CD player. Will not play any CD or radio if cd player is attempted to be activated. Airbag warning light is showing on dash 24/7, however, vehicle has never been wreaked. No airbag been deployed. Vehicle has NEVER been in a wreak. caused injury due to rough and rugged suspension and while driving the vehicle throws passengers and driver. Has been Serviced & checked. has failed to start 23 times in a row. checked alternator, starter, ect. 7-10 minutes of attempting to start without luck. professional mech. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. While driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. In addition, the vehicle failed to start. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact also stated that the engine warning light had previously illuminated and the cruise control was activated but independently deactivated and over time failed to function. The vehicle had been taken to a dealer but the contact was unsure about what needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V567000 (electrical system) however, the part needed to repair the vehicle was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 54,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. While driving various speeds, the radio continuously turned on and off, the sun roof became inoperable, and the vehicle would not accelerate above 2 MPH. When the contact attempted to accelerate, the vehicle nearly stalled and caused the service park assist, air bag, ebs, and traction control indicators to illuminate. The contact managed to pull over and shut off the vehicle for approximately five minutes. When the vehicle was restarted, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
As I was slowly pulling into a parking space with my foot on the brake pedal the car was coasting slowly into the spot. I began to depress the brake pedal to begin stopping when suddenly the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floor and the vehicle began to accelerate. I tried to pump the brake and the vehicle continued over the curb into the building. The airbag never deployed. I did not have my foot near the accelerator during this time, the floor mat was nowhere near the accelerator or brake pedal and the vehicle was in drive. The brakes failed to work and the car accelerated on it's own.
I was driving down the road and the vehicle lost power. I was able to move to the shoulder and bring the vehicle to a stop. There was no power to any system. The ignition switch was in the off position. I was able to restart the vehicle. This is not the first time the vehicle has lost power while driving.
The recall (n23 NHTSA 13v 225) per shanepua, of Chrysler, that is now causing major problems on my vehicle was not tasked to my specific vehicle and they won't honor the recall. The other 2 recalls were poorly done in feb 2020 and is now again causing problems.
Acceleration complaints in other Commander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2008 Jeep Commander?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2008 Jeep Commander, 5% of the model year's 437 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Commander acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2008 Jeep Commander, though it has 4 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 2008 Jeep Commander acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 62,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 2 injuries 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.