A Jeep Commander is the company’s largest model, first introduced in 2005. As an off-road vehicle that shares much DNA with the Grand Cherokee, the Commander is a Jeep that looks rugged and has off-road capabilities.
Despite its modest price tag, the Jeep Commander offers owners plenty of value for their money – Jeep styling, durable interior materials, and an impressive V8 engine with excellent off-road performance. Jeep, however, stopped producing the Commander after it failed to sell well, to its dismay.
The Jeep Commander is no longer available for purchase, so if you want to buy one, you can’t. There are some Jeep Commander years you should avoid if you are looking to buy a used Commander. You can find information about which Jeep Commander model you should buy instead of the years listed below.
Jeep Commander Overview
A more recent model of Jeep cars is the Jeep Commander, which is one of the models the Jeep brand released in the market in 2005, and which has remained one of the most popular Jeep cars in the world ever since!
There are many features on this SUV car that make it extremely popular around the globe. In many Jeep Commander years, the strong engine worked like a beast, but the good design also made the Jeep Commander a car that was used and still searched by many people today.
Best and worst Jeep Commander years
Our research into the best and worst Commander models involved consulting a variety of credible sources. It was the NHTSA and IIHS reliability records, as well as information on specific Commander years, that provided the most reliable information about the Commander’s value for buyers.
After collecting the Jeep Commander recall details, we double-checked their website and trusted organizations to confirm the information. Additionally, we checked real driver records and complaints on Jeep Commander forums along with model ratings from Edmunds and KBB. Our findings are as follows:
| JEEP COMMANDER GENERATION | BEST JEEP COMMANDER YEARS | WORST JEEP COMMANDER YEARS |
| 1st generation | 2009, 2010 | 2006, 2007 |
2006-2010 Jeep Commander (1st Generation)
Jeep Commanders were based on the Dodge Grand Cherokee platform, but had a boxer profile than the Grand Cherokee. Two out of three rows of seats were cramped, and the third row was even worse. With the exception of one Commander model, all have not been proven reliable for long periods of time.
Avoid: 2006 Jeep Commander
Skip a model year by choosing the 2006 Commander SUV. A study conducted by Consumer Reports found the 2006 Commander model to have the lowest reliability score. There was nothing significant about the 2006 Commander that dispelled the myth that debut models have the least reliable long-term ratings.
A car complaint website, CarComplaints.com, rated it “Beware of the Clunker”, due to more than 2,000 complaints and six recalls. As of now, there have been 1767 complaints reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). How did the Jeep Commander become unreliable in 2006?
Engine Stalls
There have been reports of several owners who are unhappy with their 2006 Commander’s engine stalling frequently. Several of the stalls were reported to have occurred on freeways, which is extremely dangerous. A sudden loss of power would occur when the Jeep stalled. When their SUVs stalled and couldn’t be restarted, many SUV owners called emergency roadside services. In the words of a frustrated Georgia owner:
The car does not give any warning before it shuts down. We have been experiencing this since the second week we have owned the vehicle. They cannot fix the problem or cause it. The Georgia “Lemon Law” dictates that Jeep must charge me for mileage incurred. After 30,000 miles, I cannot afford that many miles.”
Body Integrity Issues
Although engine problems are clear deal breakers, the 2006 Commander also had problems with its body integrity, especially with its door handles. Several owners of SUVs complained that their door handles broke after owning them for a few months. Pulling down the windows was required for getting into and out of the vehicle. It would be impossible for the occupants of the car to exit the vehicle in an emergency due to the broken handles, which would be a major safety concern.
Avoid: 2007 Jeep Commander
The Jeep Commander was the least reliable model in 2007 despite fewer complaints. There are many problems with this model that were present with the debut version, so we recommend you skip it. According to CarComplaints.com, numerous recalls have been issued for the 2007 Commander – not as many as the 2006 model, but still plenty. Currently, more than 1030 complaints have been received by the NHTSA about the 2007 Commander.
Even after returning to the 2007 Commander, it still had random engine stalls. It is common for Commander users to complain about power cutting off while driving, sometimes at highway speeds. This poses a serious safety concern. Driving their vehicles has even resulted in drivers fearing causing accidents.
As a result of persistent engine problems, we cannot recommend the 2007 Jeep Commander.
Avoid: 2008 Jeep Commander
The 2008 Commander has accumulated 476 complaints and five recalls, which is a significant improvement over its predecessor. Because of the dreaded engine stalling problem, we passed on this Commander right away.
While engine stalls are less common in this part of the country, the 2008 Commander continues to receive many complaints about them. Several SUV owners expressed frustration after experiencing power loss before stopping their vehicles. For this model year, used Commanders have also been reported to have rust formation under the windshield.
Avoid: 2009 Jeep Commander
In 2009, Jeep introduced the Commander, which is a capable off-road SUV with considerable additional power if you choose the Hemi V8 engine. The engine issues with this model year still prevent it from being recommended.
Fiat Chrysler deserves praise for the less frequent stalling of its Commander engine this year. Despite that, there remains a concern. The 2009 Jeep Commander is therefore difficult to recommend. Nevertheless, if you can find a good deal on this off-road SUV, you should consider it.
Buy: 2010 Jeep Commander
Jeep Commanders are at their most reliable in the last year before they are discontinued. As well as its traditional Jeep styling, this vehicle features a powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine and outstanding off-road capabilities. One of the best features of the 2010 Jeep Commander is that its engine does not stall out. A sunroof leak has been reported in one report, but there are many more. There is a great value in used 2010 Jeep Commander SUVs when it comes to off-roading.
Which Jeep Commander Years to Avoid?
It was only possible to sell five Jeep Commanders commercially. Due to limited options, we recommend one Jeep Commander model year, and the rest may not be of interest to you. Let’s start with a list of years to avoid with Jeep Commander:
- 2006 Jeep Commander
- 2007 Jeep Commander
- 2008 Jeep Commander
- 2009 Jeep Commander
2006 Jeep Commander
It turns out that Jeep Commander’s first model is also its worst. In fact, the 2006 Jeep Commander earned the Car Complaints “Beware of the Clunker” award, which means you should write it off your shopping list. The company has received over 2,000 complaints and issued six recalls, which makes sense.
It was reported by unhappy owners that the engine of the 2006 Commander stalls during driving. It was even worse when the stalls occurred on a freeway without any warning. It has been reported that the Jeep stalled at various speeds and lost all power immediately. Many people had to call a towing service because they were not able to restart their engines quickly.
Door handles are another source of concern, as they tend to break easily. There has been widespread reporting of damaged or broken door handles on the Commander. Some people had to roll down their windows to get out because they were still able to open their doors, while others were still able to open their doors, but they were hard to operate. If a fire or wreck occurs, you are unable to escape the vehicle quickly.
The 2006 Commander deserves our vote as one to stay away from at all costs.
2007 Jeep Commander
The 2007 Jeep Commander has received fewer NHTSA complaints than its predecessor, but it remains a problem vehicle. You may want to think twice (or thrice) before buying a used 2007 Commander after it has received more than 1,000 complaints and six recalls.
It is unfortunate that the 2007 Commander suffered from the same engine stalling issue as its predecessor. You’ll find many accounts of SUV owners whose vehicle lost power without warning and left them in a dangerous situation. In most cases, the complainants were unsure of how to resolve their problems.
In addition, several recalls have also been issued for the 2007 Commander. Among them is the recall of numerous Jeep models involving the ABS Electronic Control Module. The Jeep Recall P41 concerning knee contact could cause the ignition switch to turn off is another recall you should be aware of. This increases the risk of crashing or injuring yourself due to the loss of functionality.
2008 Jeep Commander
Compared to the last two years, the 2008 Jeep Commander performs much better in terms of reliability. As per CarComplaints.com, there are 454 complaints and five recalls.
In 2008, there were many complaints about rusty windshield trim under the Commander. It was claimed in two reports that the paint under the trim had not been finished, resulting in rusty trim under the windshield. The rust warranty has expired, or there is not enough corrosion to qualify for coverage, making this a particularly frustrating problem.
It appears that the 2008 Commander continues to suffer from the stalling engine problem. Once again, the Commander will simply lose power and cease to run – no warning, no trouble light, no sound, nothing. The engine of the vehicle was found to be in good condition when it was taken to the dealer.
2009 Jeep Commander
There are only 60+ complaints and three recalls for the 2009 Commander, but the vehicle still has numerous reliability problems, including persistent engine stalling problems.
Yes, that’s correct! 2009 Commanders continue to experience engine stalling issues. It was reported that many Commander owners were disappointed by the fact that this issue rendered the vehicle undriveable. Using a freeway at 60-70 mph is usually a nightmare scenario for drivers, so it’s important to avoid your engine stalling. Even so, the 2009 Commander has still been plagued by the problem, though to a lesser extent.
In addition, the flashing service 4WD system light can be a problem with the 2009 Commander. While the final drive control module (FDCM) does not contain any codes, the service 4WD system light illuminates. The FDCM was updated with software to solve this problem.
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Which Jeep Commander Years are Safe to Buy Used?
After listing the Jeep Commander years to avoid, we finally reach the top model year for the Jeep Commander, according to our opinion.
2010 Jeep Commander
One of the best years for the Commander was also its final year. As a starting point, it boasts the traditional Jeep styling that so many people love. In addition, the powerful 5.7 liter V8 engine that powers the 2010 Commander can produce 360 horsepower, making it a compelling option. This 2010 Jeep Commander is a family-friendly SUV that boasts Jeep’s signature off-road capability.
Only a few complaints have been received concerning the Commander’s reliability, and best of all, no reports of the dreaded stalling engine. Additionally, it appears that Jeep SUVs generally have leaky sunroofs, which seems to be a common problem.
You can’t go wrong with the 2010 Jeep Commander model year if you are looking for a used Jeep Commander. In addition to its classic Jeep styling and excellent off-roading performance, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has plenty of great features.
Is the Jeep Commander Still in Production?
Here are some things you should know about Jeep Commander cars after learning which years to avoid.
Despite all the upgrades and improvements Jeep attempted in their Commander car model over the years, they weren’t able to accomplish many things, which is why after 2010, the whole model was discontinued.
After two decades of production, Commander wasn’t a vehicle that was well received by Jeep enthusiasts across the world, which is evidently one of the major reasons Jeep ditched it.
The Jeep Commander did, however, have a big influence on the Jeep SUV cars that are in production today, such as the Jeep Wrangler, and were in production for a long time.
Jeep is a brand that is very important in the general auto industry, but its Commander model remains an untouched memory and a precursor to many Jeep cars to come.
Is the Jeep Commander worth buying?
Our team recommends the Commander as a three-row SUV with a reasonable price on the used car market when it’s time to draw the line. There were some serious flaws in the previous models, like the 4.7-liter engine issue, but those can be addressed by avoiding problematic years.
So it is our hope that you will use this guide wisely, and eventually find a Commander that requires little upkeep, such as a 2009 or 2010.
You can choose from a lineup of rugged and capable off-road vehicles such as Jeep Wrangler, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and Land Rover LR3. It is important to note that between one model year and the next, these vehicles may differ significantly in reliability and performance.
Why were Jeep Commanders discontinued?
After five years of production, the Jeep Commander’s sales were poor and engine stalling problems forced its discontinuation.
Is the Jeep Commander reliable?
If you’re looking to buy a Jeep Commander, avoid the 2006, 2007, and 2008 models that have been known to be problematic.
What is considered high mileage for a Jeep Commander?
If the Jeep Commander reaches a mileage between 250,000 and 300,000, it is considered high mileage.
Is the Jeep Commander Still In Production?
When you determine which years to steer clear of, you will be able to enjoy the Jeep Commander car in a different way.
The Jeep Commander car model was upgraded and improved over the years, but Jeep was unable to achieve many things and stopped production in 2010.
It’s no secret that Jeep ended production of the Commander after 20 years due to poor reception from Jeep fans around the world.
As a result of Jeep Commander, new Jeep SUVs, including Jeep Wrangler, that are on the market and still being produced have significant influences on them.
Jeep Commander remains an untouched memory and a predecessor to many new Jeep models even though Jeep is one of the biggest names in the auto industry.
Most common Jeep Commander problems
To score a car like the Jeep Commander, we’ll examine the problems and causes common to only one generation. Afterwards, we’ll dig deeper into those issues, so you can see how prevalent they were and how reliable the vehicles were.
Engine problems
There was a variety of reliable engines available for the Jeep Commander, including a 3.7-liter V6 as well as the more powerful 5.7-liter HEMI V8. The 4.7-liter V8 had plenty of problems, resulting in many safety issues that led to an official Jeep recall. It has even been reported that cars have turned off while being driven but re-started afterward.
Regardless of the outcome, Jeep is aware of the potential for a crash to occur.
In order to fix the problem, more than 20,000 units equipped with 4.7-liter engines needed to be recalled. This was ultimately a software problem that needed to be fixed by updating the powertrain control module.
Braking system issues
The braking system of the Jeep Commander can also suffer problems, which can adversely affect driving safety. Brakes on this model are prone to failure, with the most common issue being a malfunctioning front brake caliper. It was discovered that the calipers on Jeep Commanders were not made from the same material, which led to them deteriorating more rapidly.
As a result, braking distances increased, sometimes posing a safety risk to drivers. We also learned that the ABS was malfunctioning and the brake booster was malfunctioning, which led to a reduction in braking force.
Apart from these two concerns, we’ve seen several complaints from drivers who are experiencing faulty brake lights despite frequently replacing the bulbs.
Electrical system malfunctions
It is quite common for auto models of this type to experience issues of this kind during certain production years. Although this is true, the Commander may have experienced more electrical problems because it was only produced in one generation.
In most cases, electrical system faults affected dashboard readings and sensors. Before purchasing a used Commander, have the electric system inspected to make sure the airbag control module isn’t malfunctioning.
Problems with the equipment
Even the basic trim levels of the Jeep Commander at that time had many additional equipment options. It is important to note, however, that many of these features fail over time, especially in second-hand cars, which is mainly a problem for second-hand car buyers.
In order to get the most value out of a Commander, you must ensure that it is free of faulty door handles and a broken exhaust system. There were the most exhaust issues reported for Commander vehicles equipped with engines that were 3.7 and 4.7 liters. It was reported that the dashboard four-wheel-drive light illuminated without apparent reason, and that some leaks were reported from the sunroof.
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Conclusion
There are many Jeep fans who looked forward to the launch of the Jeep Commander as it was a car that was much anticipated and loved by many Jeep fans, and to be honest, the first model was the best as well as the last great Commander that Jeep sold!
As explained in the article, the problems began with the second model, in 2006, and it led to a complete “destroying” of a Jeep car model that will not be forgotten! This car is no longer being produced due to all the problems it had in the past, but at least it is for good now.
The information you have read so far has hopefully been helpful to you, and I hope you have found everything you were looking for. Best of luck!
