Here Are The Jeep Commander Years To Avoid
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First debuted in 2005, the Commander is the biggest Jeep by the manufacturer. From rugged looks to off-road capabilities, the Commander is a genuine Jeep that shares a lot of its DNA with the Grand Cherokee.
The Jeep Commander gives owners a lot to love for their money - traditional Jeep styling, durable interior materials, strong V8 engine, and excellent off-road performance. However, much to the dismay of Jeep, the Commander was no bestseller, prompting the manufacturer to halt its production.
So if you’re looking to buy a new Jeep Commander, you can’t. If you want to buy a used Commander, know that there are some Jeep Commander years to avoid. Below, we’ve highlighted the Jeep Commander years to avoid and which model you should get instead.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE JEEP COMMANDER
A used Jeep Commander is a solid off-road SUV with good value. However, ensure you’re getting the most reliable years. Today, we take a look at every model year and determine which is the most reliable Jeep Commander year and which ones you should avoid.
Which Jeep Commander Years to Avoid?
There were only five Jeep Commander that was commercially sold. Since options are limited, we’re going to recommend one Jeep Commander model year, and you may avoid the rest. But first, here are the Jeep Commander years to avoid:
- 2006 Jeep Commander
- 2007 Jeep Commander
- 2008 Jeep Commander
- 2009 Jeep Commander
2006 Jeep Commander
Apparently, the debut model of Jeep Commander is also its worst. Earning the “Beware of the Clunker” award from Car Complaints, the 2006 Jeep Commander is a highly problematic model that should be written off your shopping list. With over 2,000 complaints and six recalls, it’s easy to see why.
According to the unhappy owners, the 2006 Commander’s engine is prone to stalling while driving. To make matters worse, the stalls happened without warning and in the middle of a freeway. Numerous reports claimed that the Jeep stalled at varying speeds, and it immediately lost all power. Plus, many could not quickly restart the engine and had to call a towing service.
Another area of concern is the quality of the door handles that tend to break. Many users reported that the Commander’s door handles were broken, cracked, or damaged. In some cases, the doors are still functional but hard to operate, while some people had to roll down their windows to get out. This is a huge safety issue because you can’t vacate the vehicle quickly in case of a fire or wreck.
If there’s a Commander that you should avoid at all cost, the 2006 model gets our votes.
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2007 Jeep Commander
Looking at the number of NHTSA complaints, the 2007 Jeep Commander is a better effort from Jeep, but it remains problematic. Receiving more than 1,000 complaints and six recalls, you should think twice (or thrice) before buying a used 2007 Commander.
Unfortunately, the 2007 Commander has inherited the engine stalling issue from its predecessor. Once again, you’ll see many accounts from owners detailing how their SUV lost power without warning and finding themselves in an unsafe situation. Most of the complaints were not sure how to fix the issue.
Moreover, the 2007 Commander is also a recipient of several recalls. One of the worst is the ABS Electronic Control Module recall that affects numerous Jeep models. Another recall that you should know is the Jeep Recall P41 about how knee contact may turn the ignition switch off. This results in loss of functionality that increases the risk of crash or injury.
2008 Jeep Commander
Reliability-wise, the 2008 Jeep Commander is a whole lot better than the last two years. However, it does have 454 complaints and five recalls as per CarComplaints.com.
The top complaint about the 2008 Commander is the rust formation under the windshield trim. Two reports claimed that the paint under the trim was unfinished, resulting in a rusty windshield trim. What made this problem extra frustrating is that it’s either the rust warranty has expired, or it’s not rusted through enough to warrant coverage.
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Unfortunately, the stalling engine problem has persisted with the 2008 Commander. Again, the Commander will simply lose power and stop running - no warning, no checking engine lights, no noises, nothing. When the vehicle was brought to the dealer, they found nothing wrong with the engine.
2009 Jeep Commander
Although the 2009 Commander has only 60+ complaints and three recalls, it still has numerous reliability woes, including the ever-persistent engine stall issue.
That’s right! The dreaded stalling engine remains a concern with the 2009 Commander. Many owners expressed their disappointment because this issue renders the Commander undrivable. When you’re running 60-70 mph on a freeway, the last thing you want is for your engine to stall - a nightmare scenario for just about any driver. Unfortunately, it is still a problem with the 2009 Commander, although to a lesser extent.
One more common issue with the 2009 Commander is the flashing service 4WD system light. The service 4WD system light illuminates, although there are no codes stored in the final drive control module (FDCM). Fortunately, this problem was resolved with a software update to the FDCM.
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Which Jeep Commander Years are Safe to Buy Used?
Now that we’ve listed the Jeep Commander years to avoid, this leaves us with one last model year and, in our opinion, the best Jeep Commander that you can buy.
2010 Jeep Commander
The final model year of the Commander also happens to be its best one. It boasts a traditional Jeep styling that many folks gravitate into, for starters. However, what makes the 2010 Commander an attractive option is the availability of the powerful 5.7 liter V8 engine, capable of doling out 360 hp. In combination with Jeep’s signature off-road capability, the 2010 Jeep Commander is not your typical family-friendly SUV.
In terms of reliability, the Commander has only received a few complaints, and best of all, the dreaded stalling engine issue was nowhere to be found. Also, there’s one report about the SUV’s leaky sunroof, which seems to be a common design flaw with Jeep SUVs in general.
If you’re in the market for a used Jeep Commander, the 2010 model year is a solid choice. Thanks to its classic Jeep styling, excellent off-roading performance, and a bevy of nice features.
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