Problems · by component

2009 Jeep Commander electrical system problems

28 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2009 Jeep Commander cite electrical system, 47% of all 59 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
28
47% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the electrical system

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Was driving the speed limit when I started smelling an electrical burning smell several seconds later my passenger side airbag deployed while I was driving scaring me almost causing an accident I am almost 7 months pregnant!!! Now the airbag light is also on and I am terrified to drive!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 14, 2026Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11764087
“The commander turns off on its own, brakes on its own, the alarm does its own thing, the esp/bas lights are on, buttons on dash don’t work most of the time, sunroof drain is faulty, and leaks rivers of water into my car! Also had my brakes to seize up on me and I couldn’t move from a danged stop sign. I just want a vehicle I can rely on.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 15, 2021Electrical system, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11425040
“JUST LIKE THE 2008 MODEL, WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRY TO TURN THE KEY OFF THE WILL NOT TURN OFF ALL THE WAY. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY FROM THE AUXILIARY POSITION TO THE ON POSITION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL THE KEY FINALLY GOES INTO THE OFF POSITION. ONLY THEN WILL IT RELEASE THE KEY. WHEN I LOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH 2 DIFFERENT TIMES. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2008 MODEL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I AM STILL DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM TODAY.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2021Electrical systemODI 11389597
“MY JEEP HAS PERIODIC STARTING ISSUES. ALL THE LIGHTS WORK ON THE DASH IT JUST CLICKS. THIS IS VERY RANDOM. IF YOU JUMP IT THE VEHICLE WILL START. SOMETIMES IF YOU WAIT A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL START. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED STARTER BUT ISSUE STILLS PERSIST. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RECREATE. DEALERS HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 26, 2019Electrical systemODI 11291345
“THE REMOTE CAR STARTER STARTS MY VEHICLE? BUT 5-10 SECONDS LATER IT SHUTS BACK OFF AND MY RADIO TURNS ITSELF ON AND OFF EVEN WHILE ITS NOT ON. THE DISPLAY GOES BLACK, MAKES A CLICK, SHOWS THE JEEP LOGO, BARS WHERE THE TIME SHOULD BE, 12:00, THEN THE REAL TIME, THEN DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN THE ENTIRE TIME THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. THERE IS ALSO A CLICKING NOISE SOMETIMES WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOORS EVEN WHILE THE JEEP IS OFF, IT ALSO HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING THE HEAT ON. THIS IS SOMETIMES RESOLVED BY CHANGING THE FAN TO CABIN MODE, OTHER TIMES IT CONTINUES FOR RANDOM LENGTHS OF TIME. I SEE THAT THERE WERE OTHER RECALLS REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL & AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IT IN CASE IT TURNS INTO A MORE SERIOUS ISSUE. WHEN LOOKING AT RECALL INFORMATION ON KBB.COM IT SAYS MY VIN IS A PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL FOR POWER TRAIN TRANSFER CASE, BUT WHEN I CHECK IT HERE IT SAYS THERE ARE NO INREPAIRED RECALLS. I AM NOT SURE IF IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED, OR IF MY VEHICLE IS Y A PART OF IT, BUT THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING GOING WRONG NOW.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 17, 2019Electrical systemODI 11280632
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS BECOMING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. PERRY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2340 NATIONAL CITY BLVD, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950, (619) 477-1234) ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2019Electrical systemODI 11230994

Showing 6 of 28 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Electrical system: wiring

Free remedy

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.

Electrical systemReported Apr 9, 2009NHTSA 09V118000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026

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