2006 Jeep Commander transmission & drivetrain problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

22 owners have reported transmission & drivetrain problems with the 2006 Jeep Commander, 39% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 168,000 mi.

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints
22
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Related recalls
1
Median mileage
168,000 mi

Specific components reported

Transmission & Drivetrain covers: transmission shifting, slipping, axles, driveshaft, transfer case.

ComponentComplaints
Power train22

Transmission & Drivetrain complaints across Jeep Commander years

2220065200782008
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year. The 2006 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

1Under 10k10k–30k30k–60k60k–100k6100k–150k8150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

  • Recall 13V175000May 7, 2013295,345 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)

    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.

    Risk: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.

    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.

What owners say

  1. Filed Jan 12, 2026PABrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    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 all says service 4x4
    NHTSA complaint #11710463 · source
  2. Filed Oct 17, 2025200,000 miMIElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    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 but a recurring failure. The contact stated that the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the 12-Volt battery had been replaced approximately 2 years ago due to battery drainage issues. The contact stated that the failure with the…
    NHTSA complaint #11694039 · source
  3. Filed Sep 15, 2025TXElectrical SystemSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain
    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 certain operating conditions. This could cause a crash without warning. ( My Jeep turns on, but it is not able to be moved, it is stalled indefinitely). I asked the dealer @Rockwall Dodge, Rockwall TX to check the PCM/TCM/TECM. They refused. Said they were…
    NHTSA complaint #11687370 · source
  4. Filed Apr 22, 2025INBrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    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 commanders that reflect the issues I am having.
    NHTSA complaint #11656154 · source
  5. Filed Feb 4, 2025GAElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    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 resets itself to where Jeep dealership cannot even trace wiring harness for shorts or check to see if transmission control module works properly after having my commander from August to December. Suspect faulty Transmission control module/short due to poorly designed…
    NHTSA complaint #11640684 · source
  6. Filed Jan 24, 2025KYBrakesSuspensionTransmission & Drivetrain
    I had gotten my sepertine belt replaced and it started showing message transmission over heating it had not aloud my jeep to start and it made the starter go out to the alternator is now bad I have had it stall before I got the message and it about caused an accident several times until message. Brakes had skidded me about into a tree & other things and people when I had pressed on them two handful of times, it's Like that were be slammed or something.
    NHTSA complaint #11638268 · source
  7. Filed Jun 24, 2023AZEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    Transmission over temp is a never ending light that lights up daily. I've had 3 reprogrammed PCMs and the ECM replaced as well. The car was also reprogrammed at the dealership twice with the results the same. It will work for a couple days then right back to the original issue and including a few more. Recently the trans over temp came on and stalled in rush hour traffic. Resulting in a almost serious accident. Several attempts made to restart the car. Started and stalled…
    NHTSA complaint #11528651 · source
  8. Filed Oct 18, 2022265,000 miNCTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact researched the cause of the failure and became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V203000 (Power Train) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed him that the vehicle was not under the recall. A dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage…
    NHTSA complaint #11489727 · source
  9. Filed Apr 11, 2022170,000 miNYAirbagsEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving at 55-65 MPH, several unknown warning lights were illuminated and the vehicle lost electrical power temporarily. The contact stated that he veered to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle but could not determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact that the failure could not be replicated. The contact stated that the failure had…
    NHTSA complaint #11460417 · source
  10. Filed Mar 2, 2022215,000 miPATransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was stalling while driving. The contact stated that the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V203000 (Power…
    NHTSA complaint #11454824 · source
  11. Filed Aug 24, 2021170,000 miNVTransmission & Drivetrain
    The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled. The dealer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000. The VIN was unavailable.
    NHTSA complaint #11430357 · source
  12. Filed Jun 5, 2021AREngineOther / UnknownTransmission & Drivetrain
    2006 Jeep Commander Limited 5.7L V8 Message as appears on dash - TRANSMISSION OVER TEMP While driving a short distance the message TRANSMISSION OVER TEMP appears, the fan kicks on HIGH & is very loud, and it feels like the transmission disengages like being thrown into neutral, but is still drivable. About 2 weeks prior, I noticed smoke coming out from under hood & the engine coolant tank was almost empty. There were no visible leaks on carport. I refilled the tank &…
    NHTSA complaint #11419726 · source

Other 2006 Jeep Commander problem areas

  • Electrical System (23)
  • Engine (15)
  • Other / Unknown (11)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (6)
  • Brakes (5)
  • Airbags (3)
  • Lighting (3)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (3)
  • Steering (3)
  • Suspension (2)
  • Body & Structure (2)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (1)

Back to all 2006 Jeep Commander problems →

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology