Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clockspring assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V290000 (Air Bags), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Jeep Commander. While accelerating from a stop sign at 5 MPH into an intersection, another vehicle failed to yield and crashed into the driver's side door of the contact's vehicle. The contact's vehicle rolled over. The contact stated that the side curtain air bags deployed; however, the front driver and passenger air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the neck that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed by the insurance company and deemed destroyed. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 155,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. While driving at approximately 25 MPH, the front passenger side axle fractured causing the front passenger wheel to fracture and detach. In addition, the brake lines fractured and the brakes failed. The vehicle was skidding out of control and crashed into a concrete curb. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 Jeep Commander. While driving 70 MPH, the driver lost control of the vehicle causing the vehicle to flip over. The passenger side air bag did not deploy and the driver side air bag did not fully deploy. The vehicle was towed and deemed destroyed. A police report was filed. There were two injuries sustained that required medical attention. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 230,000.
Our 2008 Jeep Commander was hit from behind while making a right turn. The impact caused the Commander to flip landing on the driver side roof and then rolling onto the driver's side where it slid into another vehicle. The impact from hitting the roof and side of the car resulted in the car being totaled by the insurance company of the person at fault. The side air bags did not deploy when the car rolled onto it's side. Per page 52 of the owner's manual "the window bag on the crash side of the vehicle is triggered in moderate to severe side collisions" also page 56 states "the side impact SRS side curtain airbags are designed to activate only in certain side or rollover collisions." the entire driver side of the vehicle was crushed in, the driver side mirror was pushed through the window due to the impact. After the vehicle rolled it came to rest on the driver side. …
While driving noticed windows, sunroof, radio, seats, air conditioning systems where not operating at all. Then airbag light came on, along with service four wheel drive system warning indicator came on. Tried restarting and resetting systems but had no luck. Had a friend bring other key fob and all systems but four wheel drive were normal for remainder of fifteen mile trip. Upon notifying dealership about recall notice received for transfer case programming. They assured my family it would solve all problems. Being an honest mechanic that I am, I took there word. Two weeks later same problems and was getting worse fuel mileage then before programming.(6 mpg less) I had to leave work to take Commander back to dealership. They said programming didn't program. After leaving returned to work and decided to test four wheel drive. …
I was involdved in a 2mv/pd accident where I "t-boned" a vehicle that ran a stop sign. I after I truck the vehicle I forced both vehicles through a deep ditch and into a field. I dont recall any of the accident but at some point after the initial collision my 2008 Jeep Commander rolled at least once landing on its wheels. My vehicle roof made contact with the ground just above the driver's seat and also where the windshield and roof meet on the driver's side. After being released from the hospital with a sever concussion and brain swelling, and a lacerated left temporal artery due to by head hitting the side beam on the driver's side, I observed my vehicle. It concerns me because upon observing the vehicle I found that none of the side curtain airbags deployed. …
Air bag light began coming on and off intermittently, whether driving or stationary, eventually staying on most of the time. Periodically while driving it would go off them immediately come on and chime. Took to a Chrysler dealer and was advised the clock spring in the steering wheel needed to be replaced as it was faulty and would not deploy the air bag if involved in a crash. Researched the issue and found several other complaints for this model as well as recalls for 2007 to 2010 Jeep wranglers which have the same steering system. Clock spring was subsequently replaced by dealer for a significant cost, correcting the problem.
Tl contact owned a 2008 Jeep Commander 4x4. The contact stated that the speed rate was unknown. The driver crashed into a tree. The front passenger side and rear passenger seat sustained an extensive amount of damage. The air bags failed to deploy with the level of impact involved. The police and ambulance were called to the scene. The driver was transported to the hospital, where he died. The rear vehicle occupant sustained injury to the ankle. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The failure was approximately 27,000. ..updated 06/09/14 updated 06/12/2014
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the air bag warning light illuminated and the headlights malfunctioned. Also, the contact mentioned that the ignition switch seized on the accessory position. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V567000 (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 made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,000.
Airbag complaints in other Commander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2008 Jeep Commander?
NHTSA has 31 complaints about the air bags of the 2008 Jeep Commander, 7% of the model year's 437 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Commander airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries and 2 deaths to air bags 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.