The 2008 Jeep Commander has 5 safety recalls and 326 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (201 complaints).
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.
Electrical system
NHTSA recall 13V175000 · May 7, 2013 · 295,345 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Components: Electrical system; Power train › Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
Suspension
NHTSA recall 09E039000 · Jun 19, 2009 · 44 vehicles · opened after NHTSA action (ODI)
Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF EFFECTIVE LIFT AND LOWERING OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLE, POSSIBLY CREATING THE DRIVER TO PANIC WHICH COULD POSSIBLY LEAD TO A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: ROCK KRAWLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE A FREE REMEDY. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 15. 2008. ALL THE AFFECTED UNTITS HAVE BEEN REMEDIED. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ROCK KRAWLER AT 1-518-270-9822.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
NHTSA recall 08V059000 · Feb 6, 2008 · 1,338 vehicles
Problem: CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES. THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING OR NOT TO START AND/OR CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ENGINE STALLING OR INOPERATIVE WIPERS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Components: Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer; Electrical system
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Caliper
Problem: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS IN A CERTAIN LOT MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED FROM GRAY IRON INSTEAD OF DUCTILE IRON AS DESIGNED AND COULD FRACTURE WITHOUT WARNING.
Risk: THIS WOULD INCREASE THE VEHICLE'S STOPPING DISTANCE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPERS TO SEE IF THEY FALL INTO THIS LOT AND, IF SO, WILL REPLACE THEM FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 22, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2008 Jeep Commander 4-DR. w/SAB
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
27.9%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Commander 2WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Commander 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.7 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
Commander 2WD
15mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Commander 2WD FFV
15mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel
Commander 4WD
14mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 17 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
Commander 4WD FFV
14mpg combined
City / highway
13 / 18 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,800/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Electrical system Ignition; Horn
201
2
2
3
84,500 mi
Engine
59
3
0
2
82,000 mi
Power train Automatic transmission; Manual transmission
30
1
0
1
75,000 mi
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
23
7
0
7
114,500 mi
Visibility Windshield; Sun/moon roof assembly
15
0
0
0
37,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
15
1
0
2
61,888 mi
Unknown or other
15
0
0
0
91,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling Engine; Cooling system
14
0
0
0
57,000 mi
Service brakes
10
2
0
0
99,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)
9
0
0
0
88,500 mi
Steering
9
0
0
0
83,300 mi
Structure Body; Body › Door
9
1
0
2
88,895 mi
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Aug 12, 2026Engine 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.
Mar 15, 2026Visibility/wiper Driving down the interstate with all windows on Jeep Commander closed. With no fore warning the sunroof flew off. This poses a serious safety risk to the individual driver and others on the road. My scenario another driverâs vehicle was struck by said glass.
Mar 7, 2026Service brakes Traction control kicks in and the gas peddle doesn't work properly. Won't accelerate and just slows down. 20-30 seconds later and it kicks back off. Happened 3-4 times. No problems up until incident. Does have the tire pressure light on as well.
Apr 30, 2025 · 140,000 milesAir bags 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.
Jun 17, 2024 · fireElectrical system Codes U1403 and U1411. Driving down highway all gages stopped working, air conditioning stopped working, abs light going off, locks wonât operate, windows wonât open or close, rear door remained locked couldnât get my child out of the car due to the rear door remaining locked. Technician unable to locate source of the problem. Jeep dealer has 1 month wait. Put my family at risk as it was 110 degree day. When it all occurred could smell electrical burning smell.
May 1, 2023Engine 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.
Aug 10, 2021 · 2 injuriesElectrical system 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…
Apr 25, 2023 · 160,948 milesEngine The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle the ABS, Traction Control, Check Engine, and ESP BAS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, on some occasions while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the driver's seat, causing the seat to vibrate. The contact stated that she also observed oil under the oil filter when she inspected the vehicle. The vehicle was restarted but the warning lights remained illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,948.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
