VehicleVerdict

2009 Jeep Commander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2009 Jeep Commander is among the quieter years of the Commander on NHTSA's books: 64 complaints (76% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations.

Electrical System leads the complaint categories with 20 reports (31% of the total).

64

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2009 compare to other Commander years?

Commander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted2,342 complaints2005: 7 complaints2006: 2,342 complaints2007: 982 complaints2008: 458 complaints2009: 64 complaints2010: 70 complaints
Commander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2009 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Commander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2009 Jeep Commander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2031%
Engine1016%
Transmission813%
Airbags58%
Other46%
Tires & Wheels46%
Body & Structure35%
Steering23%
Fuel System23%
Suspension12%
Brakes12%
Latches & Locks12%
Lighting12%
Seat Belts12%
Seats12%

Does the 2009 Jeep Commander have recalls?

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

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.

09V118000AirbagsApril 9, 2009 · 4,314 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“MY JEEP HAS PERIODIC STARTING ISSUES. ALL THE LIGHTS WORK ON THE DASH IT JUST CLICKS. THIS IS VERY RANDOM. IF YOU JUMP IT THE VEHICLE WILL START. SOMETIMES IF YOU WAIT A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL START. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED STARTER BUT ISSUE STILLS PERSIST. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 26, 2019

“WHILE DRIVING THE COMMANDER IT STALLS. THE ENGINES SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. THEN I HAVE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND START IT AGAIN. SOMETIMES IT HAPPENS WTH THE LIGHTS, RADIO AND WIPERS ON. AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT DOES NOT WANT TO START. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES. AND THE DEALER DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 7, 2018

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT DISENGAGE FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOOR SHIFTER ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 28, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMMANDER. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO TURN OFF AS THE KEY REMAINED IN THE ACCESSORY POSITION. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 1, 2015

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE BECAME DEFLATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, FINDING THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 1, 2012

2009 Jeep Commander — common questions

Is the 2009 Jeep Commander reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 64 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Commander year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2009 Commander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (20 complaints), engine (10 complaints), transmission (8 complaints).

Does the 2009 Jeep Commander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2009 Jeep Commander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

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.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.