2006 Jeep Commander Problems and Recalls (1,628 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2006 Jeep Commander is Electrical (30% of 1,628 owner reports). There are 6 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Electrical — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-16 1,628 complaints · 6 recalls

What problems show up on the 2006 Jeep Commander?

482 of 1,628 filings named Electrical (30% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (322 reports).

There are 6 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Seat belts, Brakes, Transmission / driveline, and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The previous year is not published here. Use the year list to jump around.

What to check before you buy a 2006 Jeep Commander

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 6 campaigns on file below.
  2. Electrical. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Electrical. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Electrical 482 complaints · 29.6% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 70
  • Fires 12
  • Injuries 51
  • Deaths 3
All Jeep Commander years →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) appears in 482 of 1,628 owner complaints (29.6%) in this vehicle snapshot. Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 482 complaints, 29.6% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 14 crash reports 6 fire reports 482 · 29.6% Engine (ENGINE): 322 complaints, 19.8% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 6 crash reports 322 · 19.8% Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 213 complaints, 13.1% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 6 crash reports 2 fire reports 213 · 13.1% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 159 complaints, 9.8% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 2 crash reports 159 · 9.8% Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL): 57 complaints, 3.5% of reports Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 4 crash reports 57 · 3.5% Seat belts (SEAT BELTS): 45 complaints, 2.8% of reports Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 45 · 2.8% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 41 complaints, 2.5% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 2 crash reports 1 fire reports 41 · 2.5% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 38 complaints, 2.3% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 8 crash reports 38 · 2.3% Steering (STEERING): 37 complaints, 2.3% of reports Steering (STEERING) 5 crash reports 37 · 2.3% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 428 complaints, 26.3% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 13 crash reports 3 fire reports 428 · 26.3% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 482 29.6% 14 crashes · 6 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 322 19.8% 6 crashes · 0 fires
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 213 13.1% 6 crashes · 2 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 159 9.8% 2 crashes · 0 fires
Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) 57 3.5% 4 crashes · 0 fires
Seat belts (SEAT BELTS) 45 2.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 41 2.5% 2 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 38 2.3% 8 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING) 37 2.3% 5 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 428 26.3% 13 crashes · 3 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jan 2006; the first recall shown was reported in Feb 2006. 2006-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2006-Q2: 6 owner reports 6 2006-Q3: 28 owner reports 28 2006-Q4: 15 owner reports 15 2007-Q1: 27 owner reports 27 2007-Q2: 52 owner reports 52 2007-Q3: 61 owner reports 61 2007-Q4: 46 owner reports 46 2008-Q1: 23 owner reports 23 2008-Q2: 19 owner reports 19 2008-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2008-Q4: 18 owner reports 18 2009-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2009-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2009-Q3: 15 owner reports 15 2009-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2010-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2010-Q2: 20 owner reports 20 2010-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2010-Q4: 19 owner reports 19 2011-Q1: 24 owner reports 24 2011-Q2: 29 owner reports 29 2011-Q3: 45 owner reports 45 2011-Q4: 24 owner reports 24 2012-Q1: 33 owner reports 33 2012-Q2: 30 owner reports 30 2012-Q3: 24 owner reports 24 2012-Q4: 32 owner reports 32 2013-Q1: 22 owner reports 22 2013-Q2: 40 owner reports 40 2013-Q3: 43 owner reports 43 2013-Q4: 30 owner reports 30 2014-Q1: 43 owner reports 43 2014-Q2: 28 owner reports 28 2014-Q3: 61 owner reports 61 2014-Q4: 88 owner reports 88 2015-Q1: 89 owner reports 89 2015-Q2: 76 owner reports 76 2015-Q3: 79 owner reports 79 2015-Q4: 109 owner reports 109 2016-Q1: 23 owner reports 23 2016-Q2: 31 owner reports 31 2016-Q3: 23 owner reports 23 2016-Q4: 13 owner reports 13 2017-Q1: 11 owner reports 11 2017-Q2: 10 owner reports 10 2017-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2017-Q4: 10 owner reports 10 2018-Q1: 15 owner reports 15 2018-Q2: 12 owner reports 12 2018-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2018-Q4: 12 owner reports 12 2019-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2019-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2019-Q3: 11 owner reports 11 2019-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2020-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2020-Q2: 3 owner reports 3 2020-Q3: 10 owner reports 10 2020-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2021-Q1: 7 owner reports 7 2021-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2021-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2022-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2024-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2024-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q1: 2 owner reports 2 2025-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2025-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 2025-Q4: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2026-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 Owner reports Jan 2006 Apr 2026 Recall campaign 06V037000 ◆ Recall campaign 06V037000 Recall campaign 07V434000 ◆ Recall campaign 07V434000 Recall campaign 08V203000 ◆ Recall campaign 08V203000 Recall campaign 09E039000 ◆ Recall campaign 09E039000 Recall campaign 13V175000 ◆ Recall campaign 13V175000 Recall campaign 14V438000 ◆ Recall campaign 14V438000 Investigation DP06002 ● Investigation DP06002 Investigation PE07009 ● Investigation PE07009 Investigation EA07007 ● Investigation EA07007 Investigation AQ10001 ● Investigation AQ10001 Investigation PE14017 ● Investigation PE14017
  • Campaign 07V434000 was reported 242 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 08V203000 was reported 622 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 14V438000 was reported 3,010 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2006-Q1 Owner reports 1
2006-Q2 Owner reports 6
2006-Q3 Owner reports 28
2006-Q4 Owner reports 15
2007-Q1 Owner reports 27
2007-Q2 Owner reports 52
2007-Q3 Owner reports 61
2007-Q4 Owner reports 46
2008-Q1 Owner reports 23
2008-Q2 Owner reports 19
2008-Q3 Owner reports 11
2008-Q4 Owner reports 18
2009-Q1 Owner reports 8
2009-Q2 Owner reports 12
2009-Q3 Owner reports 15
2009-Q4 Owner reports 9
2010-Q1 Owner reports 6
2010-Q2 Owner reports 20
2010-Q3 Owner reports 16
2010-Q4 Owner reports 19
2011-Q1 Owner reports 24
2011-Q2 Owner reports 29
2011-Q3 Owner reports 45
2011-Q4 Owner reports 24
2012-Q1 Owner reports 33
2012-Q2 Owner reports 30
2012-Q3 Owner reports 24
2012-Q4 Owner reports 32
2013-Q1 Owner reports 22
2013-Q2 Owner reports 40
2013-Q3 Owner reports 43
2013-Q4 Owner reports 30
2014-Q1 Owner reports 43
2014-Q2 Owner reports 28
2014-Q3 Owner reports 61
2014-Q4 Owner reports 88
2015-Q1 Owner reports 89
2015-Q2 Owner reports 76
2015-Q3 Owner reports 79
2015-Q4 Owner reports 109
2016-Q1 Owner reports 23
2016-Q2 Owner reports 31
2016-Q3 Owner reports 23
2016-Q4 Owner reports 13
2017-Q1 Owner reports 11
2017-Q2 Owner reports 10
2017-Q3 Owner reports 6
2017-Q4 Owner reports 10
2018-Q1 Owner reports 15
2018-Q2 Owner reports 12
2018-Q3 Owner reports 10
2018-Q4 Owner reports 12
2019-Q1 Owner reports 5
2019-Q2 Owner reports 7
2019-Q3 Owner reports 11
2019-Q4 Owner reports 11
2020-Q1 Owner reports 5
2020-Q2 Owner reports 3
2020-Q3 Owner reports 10
2020-Q4 Owner reports 4
2021-Q1 Owner reports 7
2021-Q2 Owner reports 5
2021-Q3 Owner reports 1
2022-Q1 Owner reports 1
2022-Q2 Owner reports 2
2022-Q3 Owner reports 1
2022-Q4 Owner reports 2
2023-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 1
2023-Q3 Owner reports 3
2024-Q1 Owner reports 1
2024-Q4 Owner reports 1
2025-Q1 Owner reports 2
2025-Q2 Owner reports 2
2025-Q3 Owner reports 2
2025-Q4 Owner reports 1
2026-Q1 Owner reports 1
2026-Q2 Owner reports 1
Recall campaign 1 06V037000
Recall campaign 1 07V434000
Recall campaign 1 08V203000
Recall campaign 1 09E039000
Recall campaign 1 13V175000
Recall campaign 1 14V438000
Defect investigation 1 DP06002
Defect investigation 1 PE07009
Defect investigation 1 EA07007
Defect investigation 1 AQ10001
Defect investigation 1 PE14017
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Safety Recalls (6)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Seat belts, Brakes, Transmission / driveline, and Electrical.

  1. Recall campaign 06V037000

    Seat belts

    Report date
    Component:
    Seat belts (SEAT BELTS)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  2. Recall campaign 07V434000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  3. Recall campaign 08V203000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  4. Recall campaign 09E039000

    Safety recall 09E039000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  5. Recall campaign 13V175000

    Safety recall 13V175000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →

  6. Recall campaign 14V438000

    Electrical

    Report date
    Component:
    Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
    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.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-16
Safety incident filters
Showing 8 of 1,628 complaints · page 1 of 66
2026-04-25Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11733742
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Brakes failed completely. 2-3 car lengths between be and car in front of me with plenty of time to stop. My jeep did not even slow down when brakes we applied.
2026-01-12Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11710463
CrashFireInjuryDeath
My jeep will shut off unexpectedly, it will do a up and down idle increase and decrease while at a idle the abs will lock up my wheel tight to where itll drag while trying to move forward. The 4x4 low will not engage at all says service 4x4
2025-10-17Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11694039
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the failure was intermittent but a recurring failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the 12-Volt battery had been replaced approximately 2 years ago due to battery drainage issues. The contact stated that the failure with the 12-Volt battery being drained and had jumpstart the vehicle several times. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V203000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The contact also replaced the ECM module independently. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
2025-09-15Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11687373
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Seat Belts/Rear. The integrated retractor bracket edge on the third row seat may contact the seat belt during certain operating conditions. In the event of a crash, the seat belt may not properly restrain thee third row occupant. Service Brakes. Hydraulic: Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited.: Control Unit/Module. On certain sport utility vehicles, the software programmed into this ABS Electronic Control Module allow a momentary delay in breaking when coasting up a kill during certain conditions. This has happened while wet conditions occur some.
2025-09-15SUSPENSION
NHTSA ODI 11687370
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Power Train. The (TCM/PCM/TECM) Chrysler is recalling 24, 461 Jeep Commander vehicles equipped with 407 V8 engines. Th powertrain control module (PCM) was programmed with software that may allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions. This could cause a crash without warning. ( My Jeep turns on, but it is not able to be moved, it is stalled indefinitely). I asked the dealer @Rockwall Dodge, Rockwall TX to check the PCM/TCM/TECM. They refused. Said they were not able to check this situation. Didn't have that equipment. Electrical System. This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. The air bag lights comes on randomly. The engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems. I am unable to unlock the ignition on several occasions. Suspension. Rock Krawler recalled 44 performance suspension systems sold as aftermarket equipment for use on the vehicle listed above. We have had suspension issues on our Jeep. No one can find the issue to fix it. The Jeep makes noise at the suspension system.
2025-06-20Engine (ENGINE)
NHTSA ODI 11668118
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Radiator coolant system failed and caused the engine to overheat and loss of power while traveling on an interstate highway. Pulled over to side of highway. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic shop. The shop evaluated the engine could not start as it had seized from overheating. It was determined that the radiator plastic end caps suddenly failed causing the engine to overheat and seize. The radiator temperature is very high and the plastic and aluminum materials expand and contract at different rates therefore weakening the connection between the two materials until the part fails. This is a bad design, application, and mix of materials in a part that does follow the basic principles of thermodynamics.
2025-04-22Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11656154
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Abs, traction control, and another light come on and goes off intermittent. While reversing feels like brakes are locking up. Transmission shifts different intermittently. I have seen that there is recalls for other 06 commanders that reflect the issues I am having.
2025-02-04Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11640684
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Vehicle randomly saying transmission over temp. Vehicle may or may not crank upon turning key Vehicle downshifts to second gear while driving and has caused me to run off the road/slam on brakes to stop Vehicle resets itself to where Jeep dealership cannot even trace wiring harness for shorts or check to see if transmission control module works properly after having my commander from August to December. Suspect faulty Transmission control module/short due to poorly designed wiring and parts on manufacturer's behalf. Other issues include random codes with each new code reader, stereo wiring issues, vehicle changing from v8 to v4 randomly while driving, consuming excessive gas amounts only receiving 9 miles per gal of fuel Extremely dangerous to drive and do not feel safe

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2006 Jeep Commander?

Owners named Electrical most often — 482 of 1,628 reports (30%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2006 Jeep Commander?

NHTSA lists 6 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Seat belts, Brakes, Transmission / driveline, and Electrical. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2006 Jeep Commander?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop scan for stored codes and check battery, charging and any warning lights that stay on. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-10-04 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

 Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-16 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-16. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources