VehicleVerdict

2006 Jeep Commander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 2,342 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 8.9 times the median Commander year — the 2006 model ranks #1 of 6 Commander years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Reports tied to this model year include 3 deaths and 80 injuries, per the complaint records themselves.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 732 reports (31% of the total).

2,342

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

5

Investigations

112

Crash-involved

18

Fires reported

80

Injuries

3

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Commander years?

Commander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted2,342 complaints2005: 7 complaints2006: 2,342 complaints2007: 982 complaints2008: 458 complaints2009: 64 complaints2010: 70 complaints
Commander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2006 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Commander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Jeep Commander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System73231%
Engine45319%
Transmission30013%
Body & Structure1938%
Other954%
Speed Control793%
Brakes753%
Steering683%
Lighting663%
Airbags623%
Seat Belts603%
Visibility & Wipers492%
Latches & Locks412%
Fuel System211%
Tires & Wheels161%
Seats131%
Suspension121%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)40%
Driver Assistance30%

Does the 2006 Jeep Commander have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14V438000Electrical SystemJuly 21, 2014 · 649,353 units

Defect

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to July 5, 2007, and 2006-2007 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, to July 5, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.

Consequence

If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the OFF or ACCESSORY position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P41.

13V175000Electrical SystemMay 7, 2013 · 295,345 units

Defect

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. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.

Consequence

If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

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. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.

09E039000SuspensionJune 19, 2009 · 44 units

Defect

ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.

08V203000TransmissionMay 6, 2008 · 24,461 units

Defect

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 24,461 MY 2006 JEEP COMMANDER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L V8 ENGINES. THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WAS PROGRAMMED WITH SOFTWARE THAT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM SOFTWARE IN ALL 4.7L ENGINE EQUIPPED MY 2006 JEEP COMMANDERS BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 11, 2006. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

07V434000BrakesSeptember 14, 2007 · 296,550 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MAY ALLOW A MOMENTARY DELAY IN BRAKING WHEN COASTING UP A HILL DURING CERTAIN CONDITIONS.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE WITH NEW SOFTWARE THAT PREVENTS THIS CONDITION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

06V037000Seat BeltsFebruary 9, 2006 · 24,058 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED RETRACTOR BRACKET EDGE ON THE THIRD ROW SEAT MAY CONTACT THE SEAT BELT DURING CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BELT WEBBING.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT BELT MAY NOT PROPERLY RESTRAIN THE THIRD ROW OCCUPANT WHICH CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE THIRD ROW SEAT BELTS FOR DAMAGE AND REPLACE ANY DAMAGED BELTS. IN ADDITION, AN INJECTED MOLDED COVER WILL BE ADDED TO THE RETRACTOR BRACKET ON BOTH THIRD ROW SEATING POSITIONS TO PREVENT FUTURE DAMAGE FROM BELT CONTACT WITH THE RETRACTOR BRACKET. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 13, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP COMMANDER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF BURNING WIRES AND SMOKE WAS SEEN UNDER THE IGNITION COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V438000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 3, 2015 · fire

WHEN DRIVING MY JEEP COMMANDER IT STALLS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM STOPPED AND TRY TO GO OR WHEN I SLOW DOWN THEN TRY AND ACCELERATE. MY LIFE HAS BEEN AT RISK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ONE OF THE TIMES I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 65MPH AND IT STALLED. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS ESPECIALLY SINCE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · April 15, 2016 · crash

WHEN DRIVING MY JEEP COMMANDER IT STALLS. IT HAPPENS WHEN I AM STOPPED AND TRY TO GO OR WHEN I SLOW DOWN THEN TRY AND ACCELERATE. MY LIFE HAS BEEN AT RISK WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ONE OF THE TIMES I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 65MPH AND IT STALLED. I AM EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS ESPECIALLY SINCE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 15, 2016 · crash

TAKATA RECALL AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR ON THE FOUR LANE MY CAR STARTED TO HAVE WHITE RUBBER SMELLING SMOKE FILL THE CAR AND ALL MY DASH LIGHTS WENT CRAZY, MY RADIO KICKED OFF AND MY SPEAKERS AND MY TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING. I STARTED TO PANIC AND STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE RODE. I HAD MY KIDS IN…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · June 13, 2019 · fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. WHILE BUCKLED IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, HER TWO YEAR OLD GRANDSON PLACED THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE AND APPLIED THE BRAKE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE SLIGHTLY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 2, 2007 · crash

2006 Jeep Commander — common questions

Is the 2006 Jeep Commander reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 2,342 complaints put the 2006 model at #1 of 6 Commander years. It is one of the Commander years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Commander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (732 complaints), engine (453 complaints), transmission (300 complaints).

Does the 2006 Jeep Commander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Jeep Commander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2006 Jeep Commander under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 5 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Jeep Commander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Commander years to avoid are 2006, 2007, 2008. The cleanest record among Commander years belongs to 2005.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.