2009 Jeep Commander: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 45 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (34% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2013
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Nov 2021
“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 report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2021
“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 report · Electrical System · Dec 2019
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“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 report · Electrical System · Jul 2019
“Vehicle was previously driven, parked, shut off, returned to vehicle and it failed to start. Lights, horn, alarm, radio, windows all power still works on the vehicle. Vehicle taken to in network car shop, all parts tested working properly (alternator, battery, starter) no intermittent starting with the vehicle at all. Vehicle has failed to start since incident. Vehicle will be towed to manufacture dealership tomorrow. Current mileage 100784”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2019
“A few weeks ago while driving down a country road going around a semi sharp turn the jeep just shut off. Lights, engine, brakes all power shut off. I was able to place the jeep in neutral and start it back up. Everytime since while driving the dash lights flicker as well as the headlights. It stalls at times and sometimes the traction control light comes on and stays on until I turn the car off and back on.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2019
“While driving the commander it stalls. The engines shuts off with no warning. Then I have to put it in park and start it again. Sometimes it happens wth the lights, radio and wipers on. And it sounds like it does not want to start. This has happened 5 times. And the dealer does not know what to do.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2018
“My vehicle shuts-off/ stalls while driving. Within the first 3-5 miles of driving in truck, stalls once per day when I slow to a stop in traffic on the highway. It stalled once on a city street when I put is in reverse. When this happens, the steering wheel loses power. I quickly put it in neutral and restart. This happens almost daily. To date, it has stalled 11-times. I found the an estimated 300,000 chrysler, dodge and jeep vehicles manufactured in 2007 and 2008 were recalled for the same stalling problem that I am experiencing. I am very concerned for my safety and others because I do not know if this is a progressive problem where the engine may stall while in motion.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2018
“My airbag light comes on and goes off for long periods of time. Then it will stop for a while and start back coming on again.”Owner report · Air Bags · May 2018
“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 report · Electrical System · Feb 2018
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2009 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Commander by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2009 Jeep Commander reliable?
NHTSA has 45 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2009 Jeep Commander. The most complained-about area is electrical system (34% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2009 Jeep Commander problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 78,000 miles or less.
Does the 2009 Jeep Commander have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:transfer case (4-wheel drive). Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.