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 437 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Jeep Commander, and it carries 5 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 | 186 | 43% |
| Engine | 29 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 4% |
| Air bags | 17 | 4% |
| Power train | 15 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 3% |
| Visibility | 11 | 3% |
| Seat belts | 7 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 5 | 1% |
| Unknown or other | 5 | 1% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I had the vehicle towed into the dealership with issues and was charged given the vehicle back and not fixed. I have attempted to reach out several times and I feel discriminated against with being told that I will recei
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Driving down the interstate with all windows on Jeep Commander closed. With no fore warning the sunroof flew off. This poses a serious safety risk to the individual driver and others on the road. My scenario another driv
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
Traction control kicks in and the gas peddle doesn't work properly. Won't accelerate and just slows down. 20-30 seconds later and it kicks back off. Happened 3-4 times. No problems up until incident. Does have the tire p
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the clockspring a
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Codes U1403 and U1411. Driving down highway all gages stopped working, air conditioning stopped working, abs light going off, locks won’t operate, windows won’t open or close, rear door remained locked couldn’t get my ch
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
2008 Jeep Commander, 4.7L, QDII system. Vehicle experiences a sudden an unexpected loss of power and braking action while driving at speed. After loss of power, ABS, Stability Control, Brake, Check engine light, dash b
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Electrical System is failing. Began with the Electrical sunroof will not open/OR slide all the way open, the sunroof Electrical problem has been this way since I purchased it in 04/2019. Next the touchscreen panel for th
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
The contact owns a 2008 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle the ABS, Traction Control, Check Engine, and ESP BAS warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, on some occasions while drivi
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2008 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.
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 manufactur
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 engin
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 1-800-853-14
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
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES. THE FRONT CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED.
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.
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
| Reliability raw | 65 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 73 | good |
| Depreciation | 71 | good |
| Performance | 74 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 437 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 186 of them (43%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 65/100 (good) 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 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2008 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 66/100. 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.