Problems · NHTSA complaints
2008 Jeep Commander problems
Owners filed 438 complaints about the 2008 Jeep Commander with NHTSA between Nov 2007 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is electrical system (269).
Complaints
438
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
16
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system269
- Engine82
- Power train44
- Air bags31
- Visibility23
- Vehicle speed control20
- Engine and engine cooling19
- Steering13
- Service brakes12
- Structure12
- Electronic stability control (esc)11
- Seat belts11
- Suspension9
- Visibility/wiper8
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
4
15
10
18
19
19
35
56
152
27
16
18
13
12
6
7
4
2
1
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 15 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 18 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 19 |
| 2013 | 35 |
| 2014 | 56 |
| 2015 | 152 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 16 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
269 reports2 crashes2 fires2 related recalls
“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.”
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.”
Power train
44 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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…”
Air bags
31 reports9 crashes
“The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clockspring assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V290000 (Air Bags), but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.”
Visibility
23 reports
“The sunroof on my 2008 Jeep Commander leaks profusely, even in mundane conditions like a rain sprinkle or carwash. Throughout the year, whenever there is a rain downpour, water leaks through the sunroof and side posts to the point that water is sloshing and splashing around as I drive, and splashes up on me when I stop. Through online research, I've learned that Chrysler refuses to address and correct the faulty drainage tubes causing the leaky sunroofs, nor does Chrysler honor warranty claims for these sunroofs despite issuing at least 7 Technical Service Bulletins about its vehicles’ faulty drainage tubes and leaking sunroofs between 1999 and 2010, the class action lawsuit says. I am now having to spend hundreds, if not thousands, to have the sunroof and side post drainage channels repaired. Thousands of other Jeep owners have had this same issue. I implore you to please hold Jeep/Chrysler accountable, and force them to rectify this faulty, defective, and poorly manufactured product that they call a "sunroof", which is actually just an open portal for water to soak us both literally and monetarily. Because of recent hail storms locally, no repair shop is even…”
Vehicle speed control
20 reports1 crash
“Electrical System is failing. Began with the Electrical sunroof will not open/OR slide all the way open, the sunroof Electrical problem has been this way since I purchased it in 04/2019. Next the touchscreen panel for the radio AM/FM, will shit off while driving down the road randomly and sporadically. CD Player quit working indefinitely, i cant even get my CD out of the CD player. Will not play any CD or radio if cd player is attempted to be activated. Airbag warning light is showing on dash 24/7, however, vehicle has never been wreaked. No airbag been deployed. Vehicle has NEVER been in a wreak. caused injury due to rough and rugged suspension and while driving the vehicle throws passengers and driver. Has been Serviced & checked. has failed to start 23 times in a row. checked alternator, starter, ect. 7-10 minutes of attempting to start without luck. professional mech. claimed its the electrical system; pro mechanic fixed problem. Problem persists with Electrical system has caused the gears to slip while cruise control is actively in use and if going up a hill rpm's will sky rocket from 1 to 6 in a heartbeat. JEEP COMMANDER is a v6 but drives as a 4…”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.