Model year record

2009 Jeep Commander recalls & problems

The 2009 Jeep Commander has 3 safety recalls and 46 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (21 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints46filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

2009 Jeep Commander in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Electrical systemMay 7, 2013

Electrical system

Recall 13V175000295,345 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)

SuspensionJun 19, 2009

Suspension

Recall 09E03900044 vehiclesopened 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.

Air bagsApr 9, 2009

Frontal

Recall 09V1180004,314 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

Components: Air bags › Frontal; Air bags; Electrical system › Wiring

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

2009 Jeep Commander 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot 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	15 / 20 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

16mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Commander 2WD

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

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

5.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/year to fuel

Commander 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/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 FFV

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

4.7 L · 8 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,450/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	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch; Ignition	21	87,000 mi
Engine	9	75,000 mi
Power train	8	82,603 mi
Air bags	6	106,500 mi
Unknown or other	3	—
StructureBody	3	—
TiresValve	2	—
Steering	2	—
Wheels	2	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	—
Engine and engine cooling	1	—
Equipment	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Air bags
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!
Sep 14, 2026
Air bags
The contact owns a 2009 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bag squid connector was damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer confirmed the result from the diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 138,000.
Nov 1, 2021 · 138,000 miles
Electrical system
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 donât 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 couldnât move from a danged stop sign. I just want a vehicle I can rely on.
Apr 4, 2021
Engine
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO HER DESTINATION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER WARSAW CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2771 N DETROIT ST, WARSAW, IN 46582, (574) 306-5082) AND SORG DODGE INC (1811 ELKHART RD, GOSHEN, IN 46526, (574) 533-8605) AND THE DEALERS WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE CONSUMER STATED 4 SENSORS WERE OUT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING FINE AFTER THE…
Mar 6, 2021 · 110,000 miles
Electrical system
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.
Feb 1, 2018 · 120,000 miles
Electrical system
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.
Dec 26, 2019 · 131,000 miles
Electrical system
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…
Nov 16, 2019 · 198,000 miles
Electrical system › Ignition
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.
Jul 3, 2019 · 115,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.