Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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).
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 10 years before i purchased it in 2019. Next the panel for the radio and screen panel for AM/FM, Then the CD Player quit working all together. Will not play any CD. Airbag warning light is showing on dash,however, vehicle has never been wreaked. No airbag been deployed. Starting the vehicle, within the past 6 months 2008 commander has failed to start over 20 times after continuously checking alternator, starter, ect. Informed it is the Electrical System failing; By professional. Vehicles Electrical system has caused the gears to slip and it is a v6 but drives as a 4 cylinder. Driving on Highway is dangerous when Electrical system breaks down without warning. …
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.
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. …
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. …
After receiving n23 recall and other software updates (p73) the 4 wheel drives system disables at random. This has to be repaired at dealer. Error code points to shift actuator, but in reality it is software. If errors are cleared parts function fine. Loss of 4 wheel drive can be a life threatening. Since most of the time 4 wheel drive is needed is when not near help. My vehicle has been having this issue ongoing since 2013. Chrysler has been contacted since 2014 with starcases. Issue has yet to be resolved. Latest break down left me stranded while on vacation and having to pay for repairs. The 4 wheel drive shifting fails randomly, it can be while driving or stationary. It can happen when trying to engage 4 wheel drive or just driving down street and service 4wd system warning comes on. …
Tamara recall the Jeep will cut off randomly while driving down the road. It will also make attempts to cut off while driving at 60 MPH and below. The ESP light and traction control light will come on. Once able to get the Jeep stopped with out getting in an accident it will restart and all lights will go off. This has happened now 3 times with in 4 days with it cutting completely off and 5 times trying to while driving. The 1st time it was on a highway going about 50 miles and hour. The 2nd time I was getting off the interstate while going around a curve going about 30 miles an hr. The 3rd time I was doing 35 miles an hr on a busy street. The times that it has attempted to shut off but didn't I was going between 45 and 60 miles an hr. This is unsafe for anyone to be driving and have happen. It can cause me to have accident and or to cause a accident. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the engine started revving and the temperature gauge began to rise. The contact stated the air bags, traction and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated she continued to drive the vehicle but experienced the failure and shifted to 4th gear. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic and who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had been informed of failure and associated the failure with manufacturer communication number: p57. …
Bought Jeep brand new. Only couple months later my fob wouldnt start car. Just dead. Tried to start 20 times both fobs. Randomly started next day. Brought to dealer they were perplexed replaced fob. Several times through the years Jeep wont start with fob and then randomly does had it towed 2 times. I dont trust to take it far. Once when driving on street. Jeep just shut off.very scary I looked at panel no lights no nothing. I was lucky I wasnt on a highway or cause an accident.no power steering forgot no power cant steer.veered over took fob out , prayed..started up. I didnt hit it with my knee (ive read that could happen)also my fob always had a good battery. I know there are several recalls on my make and model that match my issues but when I check my VIN # it doesnt come up. I have other issues that match recalls also that I will use the other categories. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander 4x4. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked with the ignition running and the parking brake engaged when the vehicle independently shifted into reverse. The driver jumped out of the vehicle before it crashed into a waterway. The driver sustained a swollen ankle as a result. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was pulled out of the water and towed to a local dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed but was deemed as destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the incident. The approximate failure mileage was 55000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle shifted into limp mode and failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, on several occasions the transmission failed to remain in gear or shift correctly into the proper gears. After restarting the vehicle, the failure was corrected. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V175000 (power train). The failure mileage was 129,000.
Transmission complaints in other Commander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2008 Jeep Commander?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2008 Jeep Commander, 10% of the model year's 437 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Jeep Commander transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 20% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain 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.