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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2008 Jeep CommanderRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 438 owner complaints for the 2008 Jeep Commander. Most complaints involve electrical system (269) and engine (82). The EPA rates it 14–16 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–16mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Sep 2014
Owner complaints
438
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported Sep 17, 2014NHTSA 14V567000

Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)

Free remedy

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.

Power trainReported May 7, 2013NHTSA 13V175000

Suspension

Free remedy

ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THESE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS WERE PRODUCED WITH GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS INSTEAD OF THE PROPER GRADE 5 CARRIAGE BOLTS. THE IMPROPER GRADE 2 CARRIAGE BOLTS COULD EXPERIENCE A LOSS OF CLAMPING FORCE FOR THE BOTTOM STRUT FORK.

SuspensionReported Jun 19, 2009NHTSA 09E039000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

438 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2007 – Nov 2026
  1. Electrical system269
  2. Engine82
  3. Power train44
  4. Air bags31
  5. Visibility23
  6. Vehicle speed control20
  7. Engine and engine cooling19
  8. Steering13
  9. Service brakes12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Commander model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20061,782
20071,035
2008438
200959
201045
Crashes reported
16
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
16
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

269 reports2 crashes2 fires
“I had the vehicle towed into the dealership with issues and was charged given the vehicle back and not fixed. I have attempted to reach out several times and I feel discriminated against with being told that I will receive a call back and they continue to ignore my calls and no call back at all. I have had to spend money on a rental during this entire situation.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2026Electrical system, EngineODI 11760883

Engine

82 reports3 crashes
“2008 Jeep Commander, 4.7L, QDII system. Vehicle experiences a sudden an unexpected loss of power and braking action while driving at speed. After loss of power, ABS, Stability Control, Brake, Check engine light, dash board warning lights illuminate and flash. Park assist and service 4wd error messages flash intermittently. Vehicle begins to buck and surge, accelerator becomes unresponsive. Has occurred at highway speed of 70mph, 50mph, 35mph. Loss of control of vehicle is sudden an unexpected with no advance warning. Vehicle has been to my local jeep dealer 4 times for repair (in under 1000 miles) multiple components replaced with no correction to issue.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2024Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11574444

Power train

44 reports1 crash
“The Electrical System has failed. The center sound system shuts off and reboots on its own every hour or 2 causing electronic failure and has proven to get worse over time. Following that the Jeep will randomly not start, mechanics have told me that it must be the Electrical System because it is not starter, alternator or the battery. Failure to start engine has occurred over 20 times...effecting my ability to drive to work a few times. Power Train has failure has caused electronic control, software, shift lever/gear control and indicator devices, torque, drive axles, hubs, shafts, CV joints, housings and related safety systems to fail/stop working while in drive; example the Jeep was driving 50 miles an hour and transmission gears shut down and i tried shifting into neutral attempt to start transmission/engine failure. All transmission gears shut off. Then after 5 minutes came back on and started working again while driving down a country highway , luckily no other vehicles passed during this incident. This scared me and the passenger in fear of wreaking from lack of control of the vehicle. This has happened 2 times. Having severe problems with gear shifting…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 14, 2023Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11507146
All 2008 Commander problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.7L 6-cyl · 5.7L 8-cyl · 4.7L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Commander 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Commander 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Commander 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
131915$4,150592
Commander 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141915$4,150592
Commander 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131714$4,450635
Commander 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131814$4,450635
  • Commander 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Commander 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.7 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Commander 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Commander 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Commander 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 5.7 L
    13 city · 17 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
  • Commander 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 8 cyl, 4.7 L
    13 city · 18 hwy · $4,450/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2008 Jeep Commander as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 2657
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2008 Commander questions

How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Commander have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2008 Jeep Commander problems?

Owners filed 438 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (269), engine (82), power train (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2008 Jeep Commander get?

The EPA rates the 2008 Jeep Commander at 14–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026