Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,782 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Jeep Commander, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 438 | 25% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 218 | 12% |
| Power train | 143 | 8% |
| Structure | 138 | 8% |
| Engine | 83 | 5% |
| Unknown or other | 53 | 3% |
| Power train | 50 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 39 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 33 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 26 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Brakes failed completely. 2-3 car lengths between be and car in front of me with plenty of time to stop. My jeep did not even slow down when brakes we applied.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
My jeep will shut off unexpectedly, it will do a up and down idle increase and decrease while at a idle the abs will lock up my wheel tight to where itll drag while trying to move forward. The 4x4 low will not engage at
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH in a parking lot the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated the failure was intermittent
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Power Train. The (TCM/PCM/TECM) Chrysler is recalling 24, 461 Jeep Commander vehicles equipped with 407 V8 engines. Th powertrain control module (PCM) was programmed with software that may allow the engine to stall under
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Seat Belts/Rear. The integrated retractor bracket edge on the third row seat may contact the seat belt during certain operating conditions. In the event of a crash, the seat belt may not properly restrain thee third row
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
Radiator coolant system failed and caused the engine to overheat and loss of power while traveling on an interstate highway. Pulled over to side of highway. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic shop. The shop eval
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Abs, traction control, and another light come on and goes off intermittent. While reversing feels like brakes are locking up. Transmission shifts different intermittently. I have seen that there is recalls for other 06 c
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Vehicle randomly saying transmission over temp. Vehicle may or may not crank upon turning key Vehicle downshifts to second gear while driving and has caused me to run off the road/slam on brakes to stop Vehicle rese
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2006 Jeep Commander. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, drivers should adjust their seat to allow clearance between the driver's knee and the ignition key, and remove all items from their key ring, leaving only the vehicle key. Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler
Risk: 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 st
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch, free of charge. Chrysler sent interim notifications to owners in September 2014. The recall began on October 9, 2015. Owne
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 a
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 c
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 LOS
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 1-518-270-98
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 24,461 MY 2006 JEEP COMMANDER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L V8 ENGINES. THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WAS PROGRAMMED WITH SOFTWARE THAT MAY ALLOW THE ENGINE TO STALL UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS.
Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PCM SOFTWARE IN ALL 4.7L ENGINE EQUIPPED MY 2006 JEEP COMMANDERS BUILT PRIOR TO JANUARY 11, 2006. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-85
| Reliability raw | 52 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 64 | average |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 71 | good |
| Performance | 64 | average |
| Efficiency | 31 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,782 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 438 of them (25%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 52/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 64/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 61/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.