2005 Jeep Commander problems

General information about Jeep-Commander
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Jeep Commander XK and XH (for diesel-powered export version) is a mid-size SUV that was manufactured from 2005 to 2010 by the Jeep division of the American manufacturer Chrysler.

Concept car

Jeep exhibited a concept car named Commander during the 1999 auto show circuit. The concept featured an experimental direct methanol fuel cell that produced electricity to charge a nickel–metal hydride battery pack. Full-time four-wheel drive was by a severe duty electric motor on each axle. The suspension could be raised 4 inches (102 mm) for traversing off-road purposes. The overall styling influenced the development of the third-generation Grand Cherokee that was at that time six years away. The concept car had the same height as production Grand Cherokees, but was about 8 inches (203 mm) wider. This allowed for an interior featuring an extra wide center console in the front and three bucket seats in the second row. The Commander concept had no relation to the production SUV.

Production

The production version of the Jeep Commander (XK and the diesel-powered XH export version) debuted at the 2005 New York Auto Show as a five- or seven-passenger counterpart of the Jeep Liberty. It was developed to target consumers who wanted a three-row SUV, but designed to be only two inches longer than the Jeep Grand Cherokee with its two-rows of seats as well as to be assembled on the same production line.

It shared its unibody construction, independent short/long arm front suspension and its 5-link live rear axle with the Grand Cherokee on which it was based. It featured an upright windshield and squared-off sides. Its stepped roof was disguised by the roof rack; a design similar to the GMC Envoy XL and Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT. This allowed the second and third-row seats to be mounted higher than the first-row seats.

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Common 2005 Jeep Commander problems

The Jeep Commander, produced from 2006 to 2010, was known for several common problems that owners have reported. This article will discuss these issues in detail, providing valuable information for potential buyers or current owners.

4WD System Warning Light: Some owners of 2006-2010 Jeep Commanders have reported that their service 4WD system warning light suddenly activates without any fault codes stored in the final drive control module (FDCM).

Manual Temperature Control Malfunction: Many 2006-2010 Jeep Commander owners have experienced issues with manual temperature control, where warm air comes through the instrument panel outlets even after selecting the cold setting.

Delayed Transmission Engagement: Some units from the 2006-2009 model years of the Jeep Commander may exhibit delayed transmission engagement due to a faulty internal cooler return filter.

Electrical Problems: Owners of 2008 Jeep Commanders have reported electrical problems, including issues with the radio, faulty backup sensors, and malfunctioning dash gauges for no reason.

Broken Door Handle: Broken door handles are also included in the list of 2006 Jeep Commander common problems.

In conclusion, while the Jeep Commander has many positive attributes, it is essential to be aware of these common problems to make an informed decision when purchasing or maintaining a Commander. By addressing these issues promptly, owners can ensure a safer and more enjoyable driving experience.

Is a Jeep Commander a reliable vehicle?

The Jeep Commander Reliability Rating is 3.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 4th out of 14 for fullsize SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $639 which means it has average ownership costs. The frequency of repairs is average, but when issues do arise, they have a higher chance of being severe than with other models.

How many miles will a Jeep Commander last?

Drivers report well-maintained Jeep Commanders lasting around 150,000 to 200,000 miles, which puts the SUV on the lower end of the spectrum for longevity.

What is the best year of the Jeep Commander?

Buy: 2010 Jeep Commander

The final model before discontinuation is the most reliable Jeep Commander year. It offers traditional Jeep styling, a potent 5.7 liter V8 engine, and top-tier off-road capabilities. Best of all, the 2010 Jeep Commander was spared from the annoying engine stall issues.

Why was the Jeep Commander unpopular?

The Commander's extra 300 pounds of curb weight over the Grand also affected fuel economy and blunted performance. These were heavy trucks – the base 2WD Commander weighed around 4500 pounds, 4WD adding 200 and the top-spec Limited 4WD topping out at over 5000 pounds.

Is a Jeep Commander a reliable vehicle?

Is a Jeep Commander safe?

In government crash tests, the 2008 Jeep Commander earned a top-five star rating for its protection of front occupants in head-on collisions.

How long did the Jeep Commander last?

2005-2010

The powerful Jeep® Commander had a great run from 2005-2010 as the only three-row Jeep Brand SUV with seven-passenger seating. Now out of production, its memory lives on.

Why did they stop making Jeep Commander?

When Jeep began rolling out its Commander models, the market was in rough shape, so, unsurprisingly, the model was discontinued after only a few short years in production. The Jeep Commander was based on the Grand Cherokee but was only two inches longer than this model.

2005 Jeep Commander car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Jeep Commander problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Electrical system problems
Power train problems
Engine problems
Child seat problems
Steering problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2005 Jeep Commander vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2005 Jeep Commander complaints

The NHTSA has received 4 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2005 Jeep Commander.

2015-08-05

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2015-07-08
VIN: 1J8HH58N66C
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Summary: AS MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR PARKWAY, AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH DURING DAY TRAFFIC HOURS, THE JEEP COMPLETELY DIED WHILE HER FOOT WAS ON ACCELERATOR. SHE THOUGHT SHE MUST HAVE MOVED HER FOOT AROUND OR WASN'T SURE IF HER KNEE OR TENNIS SHOE BRUSHED THE IGNITION BUT FELT SOMETHING CAUSED THE JEEP TO COMPLETELY DIE. AS SHE WAS STILL GOING DOWN THE PARKWAY, SHE HAD TO QUICKLY SHIFT THE JEEP INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART THE ENGINE WHILE IT WAS STILL MOVING AND SHIFT BACK INTO DRIVE. UPDATE 9/15/15*CW UPDATED 12/28/15. *JB

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2015-05-13

CHILD SEAT PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2015-02-13
Components: CHILD SEAT
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A SAFETY 1ST ALPHA ELITE SAFETY SEAT, MODEL NUMBER: IC186CSH. THE SEAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON OCTOBER 6, 2014. THE SAFETY SEAT WAS BEING UTILIZED IN A 2003 (NA) JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY SEAT FAILED TO LOCK INSIDE THE BASE ON THE LEFT SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE RIGHT SIDE LOCK FAILED TO DISENGAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE SAFETY SEAT WAS NOT REPLACED. THE VIN AND PURCHASE DATE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

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2014-09-16

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2010-10-06
VIN: 1J8HH48N56C
Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: ALL DASH BOARD LIGHTS WOULD BEGIN TO FLASH. STEERING WOULD FAIL. AIR CONDITIONER WOULD SHUT DOWN. ALL ACCESSORIES WOULD STOP. ENGINE WOULD STALL OR SHUT DOWN. THIS WOULD HAPPEN AT ANY SPEED. A SAFETY HAZARD! WHEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER THEY INITIALLY COULD NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. AFTER MULTIPLE TRIES THEY REPLACED "SHORT POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE" AT A COST OF $1040. THIS REPAIR LASTED LESS THAN ONE YEAR AND THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE FOUND THE PROBLEM IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND FIXED FOR APPROXIMATELY $100. NOTE, THAT I WENT SO FAR AS TO CALL THE CHRYSLER CORPORATION AND, EVEN THOUGH MULTIPLE CASES OF THIS HAVE BEEN RECORDED ON THE INTERNET, THEY DID NOT CONSIDER IT A PROBLEM AND WOULD NOT ISSUE A RECALL. THIS ISSUE IS CONSIDERED A SAFETY ISSUE AND CHRYSLER IS VERY LUCKY TO NOT HAVE PAID OUT FOR ANY LAWSUITS. *TR

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2013-09-24

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2013-06-11
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: JEEP SHIFTS DOWN FROM HIGHWAY SPEEDS TO 30 MPH OR LESS WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY, OFTEN WILL NOT SHIFT UP ALLOWING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT ON ACCELERATION. SHUTTING DOWN THE VEHICLE WILL RESET THE SENSOR BUT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED SINCE IT IS A LEASED VEHICLE I AM GETTING NO WHERE GETTING ASSISTANCE IN THE CAUSE AND THE REPAIR OF THIS ISSUE. *JS

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2005 Jeep Commander problems:

Are all these horror stories true. | Jeep Commander Forum

https://www.jeepcommander.com/threads/are-all-these-horror-stories-true.44274/

Feb 3, 2015 ... You're reading a list of "common" problems in earlier Commanders ... I have had no other problems with my Jeep ... Since 2005. A forum community ...

I'm thinking about getting a 2006 jeep commander and I want to ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/Jeep/comments/mb42hm/im_thinking_about_getting_a_2006_jeep_commander/

Mar 23, 2021 ... People here will give specifics but google can help. Try “06 jeep commander broken...” or “common issues.” The auto fill from google will ...

What to look for when buying pre owned? | Jeep Commander Forum

https://www.jeepcommander.com/threads/what-to-look-for-when-buying-pre-owned.77867/

Dec 26, 2021 ... hums can be issues with the differentials, or transfer case.. I think the only issue with a 4.7 is that its not a hemi! Seriously, it seems to ...

Jeep Commander 3.7 V6 Engine: Common Problems & Solutions

https://www.justanswer.com/jeep/5me54-jeep-commander-07-jeep-commander-3-7-v6.html

Sep 29, 2011 ... rpms… i have an 07 jeep commander with a 3.7 v6 and im having a problem with the idle quality. It first started with just a rough idle ...