YearToAvoid

2006 Jeep Commander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2006 Jeep Commander ranks worst of 6 model years, with a complaint index of 100, 1,635 complaints, and 5 recalls. Electrical system issues dominate at 43% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 31%. It carries an Avoid verdict.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
100/100
#1 of 6 Commander years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
1,635
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
5
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
70
reported in complaints
Fires
12
Injuries
51
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
14 city / 18 hwy
Injuries / deaths
51 / 3

Top 2006 Jeep Commander problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Electrical System704 (43%)
  2. Engine510 (31%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain295 (18%)
  4. Structure & Body216 (13%)
  5. Brakes105 (6%)
  6. Other98 (6%)
  7. Steering68 (4%)
  8. Airbags62 (4%)
  9. Seat Belts59 (4%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers48 (3%)

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

What owners report

  • Owners report the engine stalling unexpectedly at low speeds, including while turning or pulling away from a stop, sometimes leading to a crash.
  • Some describe sudden unintended acceleration events, including a fatal accident cited in a defect investigation.
  • Electrical failures reportedly caused loss of headlights, speedometer, and gauges while driving, followed by loss of steering and braking control.
  • Drivers report the parking-assist or back-up sensor failing to detect obstacles or sounding at the wrong distance, contributing to collisions.
  • Owners state side curtain airbags failed to deploy during rollover or side-impact crashes despite manual claims they would.
2006 Jeep Commander complaints: complaints filed per quarter1092006 Q12008 Q32011 Q12013 Q32016 Q12018 Q32021 Q12024 Q1
1,635 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2006 Q1 to 2026 Q2; peak 2015 Q4 (109).

2006 Jeep Commander recalls

5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V438000Jul 21, 2014Electrical System649,353 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition:switch

    This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, to July 5, 2007, and 2006-2007 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, to July 5, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee, unintentionally knocking the key out of the run position, turning off the engine.

    Risk: 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.

  2. NHTSA 13V175000May 7, 2013Electrical System295,345 vehicles

    Electrical system

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 08V203000May 6, 2008Transmission & Powertrain24,461 vehicles

    Power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)

    Chrysler is recalling 24,461 my 2006 jeep commander vehicles equipped with 4.7l v8 engines. The powertrain control module (PCM) was programmed with software that may allow the engine to stall under certain operating conditions.

    Risk: 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.

See all 5 recalls for the 2006 Jeep Commander →

2006 Jeep Commander fuel economy and fuel cost

City
14 MPG
Highway
18 MPG
Combined
15 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$4,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2006 compared with other Commander years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100200520062007200820092010
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2005No verdict040—
2006Avoid1001,635515
2007Avoid80696515
2008Caution60326415

All Jeep Commander years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2006 Jeep Commander reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2006 Commander ranks worst of 6 model years with a complaint index of 100 and carries an Avoid verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Jeep Commander?
NHTSA complaints show the Electrical System as the top problem area at 43% of complaints, followed by Engine issues at 31% and Transmission & Powertrain at 18%.
Does the 2006 Jeep Commander have recalls?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2006 Commander, covering the electrical system, transmission and powertrain, brakes, and seat belts.
At what mileage do 2006 Jeep Commander problems usually appear?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 74,500 for the 2006 Commander overall, with electrical failures reported at a median of 84,750 miles.
Which Jeep Commander model year should I avoid?
The 2006 and 2007 model years both carry an Avoid verdict, with 2006 ranking worst with a complaint index of 100 versus 80 for 2007.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.