RepairPal gave the Jeep Commander a score of 3.5 out of 5.0 in terms of reliability. This ranks the model 15th out of 32 vehicles in its segment.
The Jeep Commander can last up to 200,000 miles or 15 years.
Some common issues Commander owners report include broken exhaust manifold bolts, faulty 4WD system warning lights, and warm air from the instrument panel outlets.
A used Jeep Commander is often worth the investment, although you must avoid the bad model years and decide if the low asking price is worth the maintenance cost for an older vehicle.
Whether you’re looking for a daily driver or a vehicle to take you on off-road adventures, you can never go wrong with a Jeep Commander. But despite being an all-around midsize SUV, it may still develop issues as it gets older. Let’s take a look at some of this model’s most common problems to figure out the type of repairs it may need in the future.
Are Jeep Commanders Reliable?
The Jeep Commander is a fairly reliable SUV. RepairPal gave the model a 3.5 out of 5, ranking it 15th out of 32 vehicles in its segment. The 2010 model, in particular, scored a 3 out of 5 from U.S. News and World Report, while the 2007 model only got a 2 out of 5.
You can make the most out of this model’s service life by following its regular maintenance schedule and staying on top of needed repairs. A well-maintained Jeep Commander can last between 150,000 and 200,000 miles, which is equivalent to 10 to 15 years.
The Jeep Commander was discontinued in 2010, so the 2011 Jeep Commander was never made.
Jeep Commander Common Problems
Just like any other vehicle on the market, the Jeep Commander is far from perfect. Here are some of the most common issues you may encounter with this model as it racks up mileage:
Broken Exhaust Manifold Bolts
There have been reports that some 2006-2010 Jeep Commander units with 3.7 V6 and 4.7 V8 engines have been prone to exhaust leaks. Owners describe hearing a ticking noise coming from the exhaust manifold and later discovering damaged exhaust manifold bolts. Replacing the faulty exhaust manifold gaskets and bolts appeared to solve the issue on most affected vehicles.
4WD System Warning Light On for No Reason
Some owners of the 2006-2010 Jeep Commanders also report that their service 4WD system warning light would suddenly activate even if there are no fault codes stored in the final drive control module (FDCM). A software update for the vehicle’s FDCM corrected the issue on most affected vehicles.
Warm Air Coming From Instrument Panel Outlets
Several owners of 2006-2010 Jeep Commanders have reported cases of manual temperature control malfunction. Image source: Wikimedia.
Several owners of 2006-2010 Jeep Commanders have reported cases of manual temperature control malfunction. Drivers of affected vehicles have noticed warm air coming through the instrument panel outlets even after selecting the cold setting. Some mechanics recommend installing a revised air distribution housing to solve this issue.
Delayed Transmission Engagement
Some units from the 2006-2009 model years of the Jeep Commander may exhibit delayed transmission engagement because of a faulty internal cooler return filter. Cooler filters with the “AB” suffix in the part number may need to be replaced to solve the issue.
Electrical Issues
If you’re planning to buy a 2008 Jeep Commander, you may want to check the vehicle for electrical problems. Owners have reported issues with their radio, faulty backup sensors, and malfunctioning dash gauges for no reason.
Although some of these issues are minor, they shouldn’t be ignored. Have your vehicle inspected by a mechanic right away to accurately diagnose your Jeep Commander’s interior components.
Leaking Sunroof
One of the common problems with 2007 Jeep Commanders can be linked to an apparent design flaw in the vehicle’s sunroof. Owners were surprised to discover water leaking from their vehicle’s sunroof tubes. In some cases, the leak was severe enough to cause damage to the seatbelts as well as the electronics in the vehicle.
Sunroof leaks were mostly discovered in low-mileage vehicles. While one owner was able to get their dealership to repair the leak, the issue recurred after a few months. At that point, the shop advised them to contact the manufacturer.
Engine Problems
Engine stall is a common problem among several 2006 Jeep Commanders. According to one owner, his vehicle would unexpectedly stall at various speeds multiple times a day, prompting him to have his Commander checked. Another recalled an incident when his vehicle just shut off in the middle of the freeway.
Some owners of the 2006 Jeep Commander have reported an issue with the engine stalling. Image source: Wikimedia.
Chrysler recalled 24,461 2006 Jeep Commander vehicles with 4.7L V8 engines. According to reports, the powertrain control module (PCM) on the affected units needs to be reprogrammed to fix the stalling issue.
Several owners of the same model year have also reported hearing a loud sound before their engine started overheating. Upon inspection by a mechanic, they were able to identify an issue with the valve on the #4 cylinder of their engine.
Broken door handles are also included in the list of 2006 Jeep Commander common problems. Owners of affected vehicles speculate that the quality of the plastic door handles may be affecting its durability.
A door handle replacement may be needed to solve the issue. Good thing there are many high-quality aftermarket door handles available on the market. A replacement interior door handle may cost you anywhere between $15 and $90 exclusive of labor costs.
As reliable as the Jeep Commander is, it’s bound to have issues as it racks up mileage. Additionally, the gas mileage of the Jeep Commander isn’t the best. The 2010 Jeep Commander had a 3.7-liter V6 engine that wasn’t very fuel efficient. It had a combined gas mileage of 16 miles per gallon. This was the most fuel-efficient trim level of the Commander, but there was also a bigger 5.7-liter V8 option.
To help you make the most out of your Jeep’s service life, it’s better to do your research and ask for advice from other drivers who own the same vehicle. This will give you a better idea of which parts may need to be replaced and help you minimize costly repairs down the road.
Is A Used Jeep Commander Worth It?
There haven’t been any new Jeep Commanders built since 2011. The only available units are used Jeep Commanders.
While the youngest Jeep Commander unit approaches 13 years, the model remains a relatively good buy. The average price tag of a used Jeep Commander is $6,682, and its value is slowly decreasing over time, further lowering the cost.
Do your research, identify and avoid the troublesome model years, and learn about the issues you can usually expect in a used Jeep Commander. Thoroughly inspect the unit for problems and determine if the cost of fixing them isn’t worth the low price tag.
How to Get Replacement Jeep Commander Parts
While the Jeep Commander is a relatively reliable SUV, it still faces its fair share of common problems. Broken exhaust manifold bolts can lead to leaking exhaust gasses from your Jeep Commander. You’ll be facing a failed emissions test if you aren’t able to resolve the issue. The great news is that getting a trusted mechanic to fix the problem should be easy, especially if you have the needed replacement parts from CarParts.com.
CarParts.com takes great pride in our built-in vehicle selector. With it, you can browse our large catalog of aftermarket parts with ease. You’ll be able to view parts that are guaranteed to fit your Jeep Commander simply by filtering the results. If the parts you order somehow still don’t fit, we even have a 60-day return policy in place to refund your purchase without a fuss. Once you do have the right parts in your hands, you can rely on our lifetime replacement guarantee to get you the right parts again once they wear down.
Get your Jeep Commander back to peak performance with the right parts from CarParts.com. Place your order today for a new set of exhaust manifold gaskets or other Jeep Commander parts.
Lisa Conant grew up in Canada around a solid contingency of gear heads and DIY motor enthusiasts. She is an eclectic writer with a varied repertoire in the automotive industry, including research pieces with a focus on daily drivers and recreational vehicles. Lisa has written for Car Bibles and The Drive.
The CarParts.com Research Team is composed of experienced automotive and tech writers working with (ASE)-certified automobile technicians and automotive journalists to bring up-to-date, helpful information to car owners in the US. Guided by CarParts.com's thorough editorial process, our team strives to produce guides and resources DIYers and casual car owners can trust.
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