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2006 Jeep Commander: problems, recalls and fuel economy
Owners filed 1,635 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Jeep Commander, and the biggest groups involve the electrical system and engine[1][2][3]. Five recalls are on file, so check that the recall work was done before you buy[4].
Reported problems
NHTSA lists 1,635 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Of those, 70 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 51 injuries and 3 deaths[1]. These are reports from owners and have not been verified. One complaint can name more than one part of the car.
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system[2] | 687 | 85,000 |
| Engine[3] | 450 | 56,000 |
| Power train[6] | 295 | 80,000 |
| Structure[7] | 189 | 70,000 |
| Unknown or other[8] | 87 | 85,000 |
| Speed control[9] | 79 | 85,835 |
| Brakes[10] | 74 | 80,000 |
| Steering[11] | 68 | 94,696 |
Electrical and engine. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints we read, 11 describe the engine shutting off or stalling while driving[2]. Some owners say they also lost power steering and brakes when it happened, and some say the dealer could not find the cause. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 11 describe stalling without warning at different speeds[3]. Several owners say the engine started again after they shifted into park.
Power train. In a sample of 12 power train complaints, 8 describe stalling or near-stalling[6]. A few describe transmission trouble, such as the vehicle rolling backward on a hill.
Structure. In a sample of 12 structure complaints, 5 describe water leaking into the cabin[7]. A few mention rust.
The speed control group has 79 complaints, and 2 of the 3 deaths in the file are listed under it[9][1].
Recalls
NHTSA lists five recalls for this model year, newest first[4]. Delete the sentence, or write: "The ignition switch, transfer case and ABS recalls list a free remedy[12][13][14]." Our data does not show whether a particular car had the work done, so ask for proof.
- Ignition switch (14V438). Date 2014-07-21[12]. The ignition key can be knocked out of the run position by the driver's knee, which turns the engine off. Air bags, power steering and power brakes then lose power, which raises crash and injury risk. Dealers replace the ignition switch. The recall began October 9, 2015[12]. The recall potentially affects 649,353 vehicles, which includes other Jeep models[12].
- Transfer case (13V175). Date 2013-05-07[13]. An electrical failure can make the transfer case shift into neutral, and the vehicle can roll away. Dealers update the software on the final drive controller. The recall began August 15, 2013[13].
- Engine stall software (08V203). Date 2008-05-06[15]. It covers 24,461 model year 2006 Commanders with the 4.7L V8[15]. The engine control software can let the engine stall, which could cause a crash without warning. Dealers reprogram the software on those built before January 11, 2006[15].
- ABS software (07V434). Date 2007-09-14[14]. The anti-lock brake module software can cause a brief delay in braking when coasting up a hill, which could cause a crash. Dealers reprogram the module. The recall began October 22, 2007[14].
- Third-row seat belt (06V037). Date 2006-02-09[16]. A bracket on the third-row seat can rub and damage the belt webbing, so the belt may not hold an occupant in a crash. Dealers inspect the belts, replace damaged ones and add a molded cover to the bracket. The recall began March 13, 2006[16].
Fuel economy
EPA lists combined ratings of 14 to 16 MPG, depending on engine and drive[5][17]. All versions use regular gas and an automatic 5-speed[5][17].
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | EPA annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl[5] | 14 / 18 / 16 | $4,200 |
| 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl[18] | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| 2WD, 5.7L 8-cyl[19] | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl[20] | 14 / 18 / 16 | $4,200 |
| 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl[21] | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl[17] | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 |
EPA's fuel cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new.
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 4-door Commander (RWD and 4WD) 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 22.8%[22]. Our data has no other star ratings for this model year.
Engine and size
Engine options in the EPA data are a 3.7L 6-cylinder, a 4.7L 8-cylinder and a 5.7L 8-cylinder[5][18][19]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[23].
How 2006 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,635 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1,035 | 5 |
| 2008 | 437 | 4 |
| 2009 | 59 | 2 |
| 2010 | 45 | 4 |
NHTSA's counts for each Commander model year[4]:
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,635 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1,035 | 5 |
| 2008 | 437 | 4 |
| 2009 | 59 | 2 |
| 2010 | 45 | 4 |
2006 has the highest complaint count of the five years and ties 2007 for the most recalls[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so they show how much owners reported, not how likely a car is to fail.
Should you buy a used 2006 Commander?
The complaint file is large, and The complaint file is large, and in the samples we read, owners in the two biggest groups describe stalling and electrical shutdowns while driving[1][2][3].. Five recalls are on file, and one of them covers engine stall on the 4.7L V8[15][4]. If you are considering one, ask for proof that the recall work was done, especially the ignition switch and engine software recalls[12][15]. Expect fuel costs of $4,200 to $4,800 a year at EPA's assumptions[5][17]. The rollover rating is 3 stars[22].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Jeep Commander?
- Electrical system (687) and engine (450) have the highest complaint counts among 1,635 total[1][2][3]. In the samples we read, owners describe stalling or shutting off while driving[2][3].
- Does the 2006 Jeep Commander have recalls?
- Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls covering the ignition switch, transfer case, engine stall software, ABS software and third-row seat belts[4][12][13][15][14][16].
- What MPG does a 2006 Jeep Commander get?
- EPA combined ratings range from 14 to 16 MPG[5][17]. The 3.7L 6-cylinder gets 16 combined and the 4WD 5.7L V8 gets 14[5][20][17].
- Is the 2006 the worst year for the Jeep Commander?
- By complaint count, 2006 is the highest of the five years with 1,635, ahead of 2007 with 1,035[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
- How safe is the 2006 Jeep Commander in a rollover?
- NHTSA rates rollover at 3 stars, with a 22.8% rollover risk[22].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,635 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Jeep Commander (70 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 51 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 687 complaints name the electrical system component group (24 crashes, 8 fires, 13 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 450 complaints name the engine component group (12 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Jeep Commander model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Commander 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 295 complaints name the power train component group (11 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 189 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 12 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 87 complaints name the unknown or other component group (2 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 79 complaints name the speed control component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 85,835). NHTSA vehicle records
- 74 complaints name the brakes component group (14 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 68 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 94,696). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 14V438, filed July 21, 2014: Electrical System › Ignition › Switch. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 13V175, filed May 7, 2013: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 07V434, filed September 14, 2007: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
- Recall 08V203, filed May 6, 2008: Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (Tcm / Pcm / Tecm). NHTSA recall database
- Recall 06V037, filed February 9, 2006: Seat Belts › Rear / Other. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Commander 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Commander 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Commander 2WD, 5.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Commander 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Commander 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 22.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMMANDER 4DR SUV 4WD: length 189 in, width 75 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,784 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMMANDER 4DR SUV 4WD LIMITED: length 189 in, width 75 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 5,046 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov