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2008 Jeep Commander Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 326 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Jeep Commander, most often about the electrical (62% of complaints, typically around 84,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Commander model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Jeep Commander problems
Electrical
201 complaints · 62%Half of these problems showed up before 84,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, horn, starter assembly.
My car- I was able start it twice after a few simple test.- I made sure the battery cable/terminals were tight, I turned everything off, and I then cut it off. On the 3rd time it did nothing. No dash light radio, no A/C, windows not working. The headlights and interior lights work so battery is fine. The key will lock…
My 2008 Jeep Commander overland edition has shut off multiple times while I am driving down the interstate at 60 + MPH. I look all function when this happens; power steering, gas, electrical, etc. I have to make my way to the side of the road, put the car in park and restart it. It always restarts right away. I have…
Engine
73 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without any warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but they did not offer any assistance since the vehicle…
After driving for about 10 minutes I shut vehicle off came out to start 2 minutes later vehicle would not start. After waiting for road service about half hour vehicle started without any assistance. All lights,gauges and windows worked as they should. This happened several more times after that.
Transmission
30 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power and all of the lights on the instrumental illuminated. In addition, the vehicle stalled while driving approximately 40 MPH. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would not accelerate over 30 MPH. The…
My wife was driving to work driving approximately 45mph when, engine sounded as if it were in fuel saver mode, she started up a slight grade and engine wouldn't accelerate nor the transmission down shift then the engine shut off with out any warning. She was able to pull over to the side of the road and put the car in…
Air bags
22 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 119,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. While the vehicle was stationary, the key became stuck in the ignition. In addition, the air bag, ABS, and traction control indicators illuminated. Napleton's river oaks chrysler dodge Jeep ram in lansing, illinois was made aware of the failure and replaced the ignition switch…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. While operating the vehicle, the air bag sensor illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the clock spring sensor was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Visibility and wipers
19 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, sun/moon roof assembly, rear window wiper/washer, glass, side/rear.
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer twice and had been informed that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. The failure mileage was 52,000 and the current mileage was 53,000. Updated 06/06/12 the…
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH the check engine light illuminated, the radio turned off, the sun roof failed, and the majority of the lights on the dashboard began to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and was informed that the front…
Speed control
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 62,000 miles.
My Jeep will stall while driving it without any warning. I have been driving as slow as 20 MPH and recently driving on the expressway at about 60 MPH and my car will suddenly stall. There have been times ( as recent as yesterday) that it has stalled while driving the expressway and then again at a stop light. It has…
Chrysler has a recall on electrical systems on the 2008 Jeep Commander. The recall details loss of headlights, wipers, blinkers, and for the engine to stall. But they are only covering it on certain vins. Our 2008 Jeep Commander has suddenly experienced all these problems. My husbands head lights went out in the…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles.
While relocating and driving on a major interstate highway, the pre-owned vehicle with 87,684 at time of purchase, the 4 wheel drive system came on by itself and stayed in high and is still in high and if the vehicle is driven will need to be disconnected. The power steering locked, shredded belts. Then, the engine…
For some reason off and on since we have owned the Jeep bought it new we have had occurrences when the vehicle wouldn't start. Just in 2016 we had to replace the solenoid and the starter. Now in 2017 having to do it again. The problem is when the solenoid gets to hot the truck doesn't want to start after running for a…
Brakes
12 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
2008 Jeep Commander safety issue where it completely looses all electrical and motor systems while driving or idling. It stalls out only at low RPM or when shifting from first to second gear. I lost all systems including steering, brakes, and hazard lights. This happened to me several times in the past week nearly…
Parking assistant brake light comes on. Whenever car is driven over a bump loud clanking noise happens. Took care to muffler man thinking it was a broken bracket however the mechanic said because of the design of the parking brake over the chassis it rubs and has wore down the rubber casing therefore the brakeline is…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Jeep Commander recalls
Electrical: ignition
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: electrical system
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
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.
Full defect summary
Chrysler is recalling 1,338 my 2008 jeep grand cherokee and commander vehicles. The front control module may have been incorrectly manufactured.
Brakes: caliper
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 Jeep Commander
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Jeep Commander?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (201 complaints, typically around 84,500 miles); engine (73 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); transmission (30 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Commander have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 17, 2014 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Jeep Commander?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Commander model year since 2000, with 326 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.