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 2009 Jeep Commander owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The commander turns off on its own, brakes on its own, the alarm does its own thing, the esp/bas lights are on, buttons on dash don't work most of the time, sunroof drain is faulty, and leaks rivers of water into my car! Also had my brakes to seize up on me and I couldn't move from a danged stop sign. I just want a vehicle I can rely on.
Was driving the speed limit when I started smelling an electrical burning smell several seconds later my passenger side airbag deployed while I was driving scaring me almost causing an accident I am almost 7 months pregnant!!! Now the airbag light is also on and I am terrified to drive!
The remote car starter starts my vehicle? But 5-10 seconds later it shuts back off and my radio turns itself on and off even while its not on. The display goes black, makes a click, shows the Jeep logo, bars where the time should be, 12:00, then the real time, then does it all over again the entire time the vehicle is running. There is also a clicking noise sometimes when I unlock the doors even while the Jeep is off, it also happens sometimes when turning the heat on. This is sometimes resolved by changing the fan to cabin mode, other times it continues for random lengths of time. I see that there were other recalls regarding the electrical system on this model & am worried about driving it in case it turns into a more serious issue. …
The airbag light is on and after taking it to the mechanic, I was informed that it will not release in the event of an accident. I searched for a recall as the mechanic suggested and found nothing. Since I have never been in an accident that would set the airbag off, I do not understand why the light is on. The lights on the dashboard, interior lights, autostart, heated seats, rear sensors, and anti skid have all stopped working. Although my car is 9 years old, it has less than 60,000 miles and is well cared for. The mechanic has informed me that I have a faulty board. Faulty sounds like something Jeep should be paying for not me. Bubbling of paint on the hood of the truck and its spreading. Again, all these issues should be covered by Jeep. These issues are the result of poor or faulty manufacturing processes and should not be visited upon the consumer.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Commander. After the contact inserted the key in the ignition switch, the vehicle operated independently. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning and restarted independently. The vehicle was taken to mike riehl's Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram (25800 gratiot ave, roseville, mi 48066) where it was diagnosed that the wiring, alternator, and battery harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 55,203.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that the ignition key moved from the on to off position independently. The failure occurred on two occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and it was determined that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V567000 (electrical system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000. Updated 8/19/15 updated 10/05/2017
Just like the 2008 model, when you put the car in park and try to turn the key off the will not turn off all the way. I have to turn the key from the auxiliary position to the on position for several minutes until the key finally goes into the off position. Only then will it release the key. When I look my car to the dealership, they replaced the ignition switch 2 different times. I later found out that there was a recall on the 2008 model for the same issue. I am still dealing with this problem today.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Commander 4x4. The contact stated that the key became stuck in the ignition switch and the doors failed to lock. The vehicle was driven to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the win module needed to be replaced. The contact mentioned that there was an unknown manufacturer recall directly related to the failure; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 42,500.
Identical issue as found with NHTSA # 10908927 vehicle stalls while driving and cannot be restarted without putting the vehicle in park. Purchased the vehicle used with 170,000 miles on it. Carfax shows great care into the vehicle, however within first 24 hours after purchase have found it to stall while driving and at idle near 6x. Have taken to auto repair shop/autozone/used ifixit code finder and nothing is found. This has created hazardous driving conditions as it will happen at random.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Jeep Commander 4x4. While driving approximately 25 MPH merging into traffic, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the shoulder, shifted into park, and restarted the vehicle. The vehicle operated normally. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure continued to occur intermittently. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
Related recalls
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.
Electrical system › Wiring
Chrysler is recalling 4,314 my 2009 Dodge journey, Jeep grand cherokee, commander and wrangler vehicles. Wiring May be reversed on the steering column control module driver airbag squib connector. The driver's airbag May not deploy as intended.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the driver's airbag squib wires and replace the steering column control module free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during May 2009. Owners May contact Chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical complaints in other Commander years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2009 Jeep Commander?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Jeep Commander, 47% of the model year's 59 complaints. The component named most often is ignition › switch (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Jeep Commander electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 13V-175 (electrical system, May 7, 2013); NHTSA recall 09V-118 (wiring, Apr 9, 2009). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2009 Jeep Commander electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
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.