YearToAvoid

2008 Jeep Commander Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2008 Jeep Commander has 326 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 60, and 4 recalls, ranking 3rd worst out of 6 model years with a Caution verdict. Electrical System problems dominate at 62% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 85,000.

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
60/100
#3 of 6 Commander years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
326
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
4
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
13
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
10
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2010
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
15
13.5 city / 19 hwy
Injuries / deaths
10 / 0

Top 2008 Jeep Commander problems

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

  1. Electrical System202 (62%)
  2. Engine81 (25%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain30 (9%)
  4. Airbags22 (7%)
  5. Brakes22 (7%)
  6. Visibility & Wipers19 (6%)
  7. Other16 (5%)
  8. Structure & Body13 (4%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (3%)
  10. Fuel System9 (3%)

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

What owners report

  • Ignition keys unexpectedly slip into the accessory position while driving, cutting power to headlights, instrument gauges, and the backup camera.
  • Vehicles fail to start and emit a burning odor, tied to an electrical recall campaign, with repair parts sometimes unavailable at dealers.
  • Airbags fail to deploy or only partially deploy during crashes, including rollovers and rear-end collisions.
  • Brake pedals reportedly sink to the floor with sudden unintended acceleration while parking.
  • Front axle and wheel fractures occur while driving at moderate speed, causing brake line failure and loss of control.
  • Vehicles independently shift into reverse while parked with the engine running and parking brake engaged.
2008 Jeep Commander complaints: complaints filed per quarter382007 Q42010 Q12012 Q12014 Q12016 Q12018 Q32020 Q32023 Q1
326 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2007 Q4 to 2026 Q3; peak 2015 Q3 (38).

2008 Jeep Commander recalls

4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 14V567000Sep 17, 2014Electrical System292,798 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured April 3, 2007, to May 12, 2008, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured March 21, 2007, to May 12, 2008. In the affected vehicles, the ignition key (FOBIK) may not return to the "ON" position after being rotated to the "START" position, instead sticking between the two positions. Potentially, while the vehicle is being driven, the ignition may inadvertently move through the "RUN" position to the "ACCESSORY" or "OFF" ignition position, turning off the engine.

    Risk: If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. 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 and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.

  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 08V059000Feb 6, 2008Electrical System1,338 vehicles

    Electrical system

    Chrysler is recalling 1,338 my 2008 jeep grand cherokee and commander vehicles. The front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured.

    Risk: This could cause the engine to stall while driving or not to start and/or cause the windshield wipers to become inoperative. Engine stalling or inoperative wipers could cause a crash without warning.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the module and replace it if necessary. The recall began on february 18, 2008. Owners may contact chrysler at 1-800-853-1403.

See all 4 recalls for the 2008 Jeep Commander →

2008 Jeep Commander fuel economy and fuel cost

City
13.5 MPG
Highway
19 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.

2008 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
2006Avoid1001,635515
2007Avoid80696515
2008Caution60326415
2009Good4046215
2010Best2045416

All Jeep Commander years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2008 Jeep Commander reliable?
Compared with other Commander model years, 2008 ranks 3rd worst out of 6 with a complaint index of 60 and a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2006 and 2007 model years but more reported problems than the 2009 and 2010 model years.
What is the biggest problem with the 2008 Jeep Commander?
Electrical System issues account for 62% of complaints (202 of 326), with a median failure mileage of 85,000, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2008 Jeep Commander have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2008 Jeep Commander, covering the electrical system, ignition switch and key FOBs, a front control module, and front brake calipers made from the wrong material.
How does the 2008 Commander compare to the 2006 and 2007 models?
The 2006 model year has 1,635 complaints and a complaint index of 100 with an Avoid verdict; 2007 has 696 complaints and an index of 80, also Avoid. The 2008 model year, with 326 complaints and an index of 60, is rated Caution, better than both but still worse than 2009 and 2010.
What is the fuel economy of the 2008 Jeep Commander?
EPA rates the 2008 Jeep Commander at 15 mpg combined (13.5 city / 19 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,300.

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.