What Jeep Commander years should I avoid?

NHTSA data points to 2006 and 2007 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80, respectively — the two highest among all Commander model years.

What is the best Jeep Commander year to buy?

The 2010 Jeep Commander is rated Best, with a complaint index of 20 and only 45 complaints logged, the lowest of any year with meaningful data.

What is the most common problem with the Jeep Commander?

Across all model years, the Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 1,324 complaints, or 48% of all complaints filed.

Does the 2006 Jeep Commander have recalls?

Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2006 Jeep Commander, covering the ignition switch/airbag system, the transfer case control module, and a powertrain control module software fix for stalling.

Is the 2009 Jeep Commander reliable?

The 2009 Jeep Commander is rated Good, with a complaint index of 40 and just 46 complaints, far fewer than the 2006 and 2007 model years.

Jeep Commander Best and Worst Years (2005–2010)

Avoid 2006 and 2007 Jeep Commander years: 2006 has a complaint index of 100 (the worst) with 1,635 complaints, 70 crashes, 12 fires and 3 deaths, while 2007 logs 696 complaints and 80. The 2010 model year is rated Best with a complaint index of 20 and just 45 complaints.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2006 Avoid 2007 Best 2010

Model years: 6; 2005–2010
NHTSA complaints: 2,752
Recall campaigns: 13
Crashes reported: 101
Fires reported: 31
Top problem area: Electrical System

Commander Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Jeep Commander problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	No verdict	0	4	0	0	0	Electrical System	—	—
2006	Avoid	100	1,635	70	12	5	Electrical System	15	—
2007	Avoid	80	696	18	13	5	Electrical System	15	—
2008	Caution	60	326	13	3	4	Electrical System	15	—
2009	Good	40	46	0	0	2	Electrical System	15	—
2010	Best	20	45	0	3	4	Electrical System	16	—

Commander years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Jeep Commander Index 100 · 1,635 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2006 Jeep Commander has the highest complaint index (100) of any year, with 1,635 complaints, 70 crashes, 12 fires, 51 injuries, and 3 deaths. Electrical System problems lead at 43% of complaints (704 cases, median mileage 84,750), followed by Engine issues at 31% (median mileage 64,000) and Transmission & Powertrain at 18% (median mileage 80,000). Owners reported unintended acceleration incidents and parking-sensor failures. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including an ignition switch airbag defect, a transfer case control module reflash, and a powertrain control module software issue that could allow the engine to stall.

2006 electrical system problems →2006 engine problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →

2007 Jeep Commander Index 80 · 696 complaints · 5 recalls

The 2007 Jeep Commander carries a complaint index of 80, with 696 complaints, 18 crashes, 13 fires, and 10 injuries. Electrical System issues make up 54% of complaints (375 cases, median mileage 80,000), and Engine problems account for 37% (median mileage 73,800). Owners described brake pedals sinking to the floor with a burning smell, brakes failing to catch before a stop, and a seat fire linked to heated-seat malfunction. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this year, including an ABS software delay in braking and the same ignition switch and transfer case issues found in 2006.

2007 electrical system problems →2007 engine problems →2007 transmission & powertrain problems →

Most common Jeep Commander problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Electrical System1,324 (48%)
Engine880 (32%)
Transmission & Powertrain471 (17%)
Structure & Body260 (9%)
Brakes172 (6%)
Other158 (6%)
Steering117 (4%)
Airbags109 (4%)
Seat Belts89 (3%)
Visibility & Wipers73 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What Jeep Commander years should I avoid?: NHTSA data points to 2006 and 2007 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 80, respectively — the two highest among all Commander model years.
What is the best Jeep Commander year to buy?: The 2010 Jeep Commander is rated Best, with a complaint index of 20 and only 45 complaints logged, the lowest of any year with meaningful data.
What is the most common problem with the Jeep Commander?: Across all model years, the Electrical System is the top problem area, accounting for 1,324 complaints, or 48% of all complaints filed.
Does the 2006 Jeep Commander have recalls?: Yes, NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2006 Jeep Commander, covering the ignition switch/airbag system, the transfer case control module, and a powertrain control module software fix for stalling.
Is the 2009 Jeep Commander reliable?: The 2009 Jeep Commander is rated Good, with a complaint index of 40 and just 46 complaints, far fewer than the 2006 and 2007 model years.