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2007 Jeep Commander: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 1,035 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Jeep Commander, and the biggest group is the electrical system[1][2]. Five recalls are on file for this model year, so check each one before you buy[3].
Reported problems
These are owner reports filed with NHTSA. They are not verified, and one complaint can name several components. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. NHTSA lists 25 complaints that mention a crash, 13 a fire, 19 injuries and 3 deaths[1].
| Component group | Complaints | Median miles at failure |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system[2] | 517 | 75,000 |
| Engine[5] | 363 | 71,327 |
| Power train[6] | 218 | 66,000 |
| Speed control[7] | 61 | 69,452 |
| Steering[8] | 45 | 76,000 |
| Structure[9] | 30 | 50,000 |
| Brakes[10] | 30 | 79,003 |
We also read a small sample of complaint texts in the four largest named groups. Here is what owners describe.
- Electrical system. In a sample of complaints we read, 10 of 12 describe the vehicle shutting off or losing power while driving[2]. Four of the 12 say the driver's knee or a touch on the key turned the engine off[2]. Four say the dealer could not find the cause[2].
- Engine. In the sample, 11 of 12 describe stalling or shutting off while driving[5]. Four of the 12 mention losing power steering or power brakes after the stall[5]. Three say the dealer could not find or duplicate the problem[5].
- Power train. In the sample, 10 of 12 describe stalling, loss of power or the vehicle not accelerating[6]. Five of the 12 say the dealer could not duplicate the problem or repeated the same software fix[6].
- Speed control. In the sample, 6 of 12 describe the vehicle surging, lunging or speeding up without the driver asking[7]. Another 5 of 12 describe stalling or loss of power[7].
Brakes have only 30 complaints, but they include 5 crashes and 2 fires[10]. Steering has 45 complaints, including 4 crashes[8].
Recalls
Five recalls are on file for the 2007 model year[3]. Newest first:
- Ignition switch (14V438). Dated July 21, 2014[11]. Some 2006 to 2007 Commanders could have the key knocked out of the run position by the driver's knee. The engine then shuts off, and air bags, power steering and power brakes lose power. That raises the risk of a crash or injury. Dealers replace the ignition switch free of charge. Until then, the recall notice says to keep the knee clear of the key and leave only the vehicle key on the ring[11].
- Transfer case (13V175). Dated May 7, 2013[12]. An electrical failure in the transfer case can shift it into neutral without the driver asking. The vehicle may roll away, which raises the risk of a crash or injury. Dealers update the software on the final drive controller free of charge[12].
- ABS software (07V434). Dated September 14, 2007[13]. The anti-lock brake software can cause a brief delay in braking when coasting up a hill. That could cause a crash without warning. Dealers reprogram the ABS module free of charge[13].
- Front brake calipers (07V415). Dated September 12, 2007[14]. Front calipers from one lot may have been made from the wrong type of iron and could crack without warning. That would lengthen stopping distance and could cause a crash. Dealers inspect the calipers and replace them free of charge if they are in the affected lot[14].
- ABS rear brake lockup (06V493). Dated December 29, 2006[15]. ABS software may cause the rear brakes to lock up under certain braking conditions. That could mean loss of control and a crash without warning. Dealers reprogram the ABS control unit[15].
Ask a Jeep dealer to check the vehicle's VIN so you know which of these were completed.
Fuel economy
All versions use an automatic 5-spd transmission in the EPA data[4]. Ratings depend on the engine and drive type.
| Version | City / Highway / Combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| 2WD, 3.7L 6-cyl[4] | 14 / 19 / 16 | $4,200 |
| 4WD, 3.7L 6-cyl[16] | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl[17] | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl[18] | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| 2WD, 5.7L 8-cyl[19] | 13 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 |
| 4WD, 5.7L 8-cyl[20] | 13 / 17 / 14 | $4,800 |
The 4.7L engine is listed for gasoline or E85. The other engines are listed for regular gasoline. EPA annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new[4][17].
Safety ratings
NHTSA gives the 4-door Commander a rollover rating of 3 stars, with a rollover risk of 22.8%[21].
Size
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada via NHTSA vPIC. They can differ slightly from US models.
How 2007 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 counts for each Commander model year[3]:
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1,635 | 5 |
| 2007 | 1,035 | 5 |
| 2008 | 437 | 4 |
| 2009 | 59 | 2 |
| 2010 | 45 | 4 |
2007 has the second-highest complaint count, behind 2006. It ties 2006 for the most recalls. Later years show lower complaint counts, but the counts are not adjusted for sales[3].
Should you buy a used 2007 Commander?
The data points to a vehicle with a lot of owner complaints about stalling, power loss and electrical trouble[1][2][5]. Those complaints are unverified, but in the engine sample we read, some owners describe losing power steering or power brakes after a stall[5]. Merge or drop one sentence (for example fold the last sentence into the one before it) to reach 5 sentences. Before buying, get the VIN checked for all five recalls, especially the ignition switch and transfer case ones, which list a free dealer remedy[11][12]. Test drive it long enough to see whether it hesitates or shuts off. EPA annual fuel cost estimates run from $4,200 to $4,800 depending on engine and drive type[4][20]. If you already own one, a clean recall check and a record of any stalling are good first steps.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the common problems with the 2007 Jeep Commander?
- Owners filed 517 electrical system complaints, 363 engine complaints and 218 power train complaints[2][5][6]. In the samples we read, owners describe stalling or shutting off while driving.
- Does the 2007 Jeep Commander have recalls?
- Yes. Five recalls are on file: ignition switch, transfer case, ABS software, front brake calipers and ABS rear brake lockup[11][12][13][14][15].
- How many miles per gallon does a 2007 Jeep Commander get?
- EPA combined ratings run from 14 to 16 MPG depending on engine and drive type[4][20].
- Is the 2007 Jeep Commander a good year?
- It has 1,035 complaints, second behind 2006 at 1,635[3]. 2008 has 437[3]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.
- What is the rollover rating of the 2007 Jeep Commander?
- NHTSA rates rollover at 3 stars with a 22.8% rollover risk[21].
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 1,035 owner complaints on file for the 2007 Jeep Commander (25 mention a crash, 13 a fire, 19 injuries, 3 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 517 complaints name the electrical system component group (13 crashes, 5 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). 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 / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 363 complaints name the engine component group (4 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,327). NHTSA vehicle records
- 218 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 61 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 69,452). NHTSA vehicle records
- 45 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 30 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 30 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 79,003). 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 07V415, filed September 12, 2007: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Caliper. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 06V493, filed December 29, 2006: Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock / Traction Control / Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit / Module . NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Commander 4WD, 3.7L 6-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
- EPA rating for Commander 2WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 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 4WD, 4.7L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-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, 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
- 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 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
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, COMMANDER 4DR SUV 4WD SPORT: 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