The Lemon Index
20071st generation (XK)
Avoid · most complaints: engine
422 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Toyota Highlander 792006 Honda Pilot 362006 Ford Explorer 149
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2006 Jeep Commander
- Engine stalling600 complaintsmostly at 22,000–98,000 miles (36,000–158,000 km)
- Headlights56 complaintsmostly at 39,000–90,000 miles (63,000–145,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 1,782 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Jeep Commander (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 29,000 miles (8,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 339 complaints, of all 422 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 14V438000 (electrical), 13V175000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 09E039000 (suspension) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Jeep sent dealers 76 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “UConnect Hands Free Module Fails To Respond Due To Module Lock Up This bulletin involves…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Jeep's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 422 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 29K miles (8K to 47K km) on the car (339 of all 422 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Car frequently stalls. Dealer has been unable to fix it. Ongoing for several months. The car has been in at least five times for this problem.
2006 Jeep Commander owner · NHTSA complaint 10189711
More owner reports
I own a Jeep Commander with a 3.7 v6 engine 2006 4x4. I have had issues with stalling and idling. At times the car sputters and hesitates. I have taken it to the dealer on a couple of times and they cannot fix the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10184166
Vehicle starts to stall while making low speed turns. As soon as the turn is complete, the vehicle regains acceleration.
NHTSA complaint 10197798
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 5.9M views · 2006–2010 Jeep Commander
- Oil changes & service404K views
Perform service reset Jeep Commander 2006Fixing cars and stuff · 374K views · 4 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical171K views
2006 - 2010 Jeep Commander Radio InstallProvo Beast Audio Installation · 82K views · 7 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring139K views
jeep commander 2006 light dash climate control stopped working changing interior lightsLukasz Sobieski · 77K views · 4 videos - Steering & suspension26K views
Front Struts/ Shock Replacement On Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Commander 2005-2010MotorCarNut · 18K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- No-start: theft light, key & ignition26K views
Diagnosing A No Start 2010 Jeep Commander Won't Crank...Clicks...Solved...Peter L · 21K views · 2 videos - Brakes & ABS24K views
How To Change Front and Rear Brake Pads 2008 Jeep Commander Back to Basics Auto Repair SeriesMatt Ryce · 24K views - Starter, alternator & belts22K views
Jeep Commander 2008 Serpentine Belt ReplacementThe Mind of Jared · 18K views · 2 videos - Cooling system10K views
Replace water pump on 2006 Jeep Commander, 4.7-V8James Leigh, Wood an Steel · 7K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
2007 Jeep Commander Do you have Ignition problems? HELP is here!!!BrokenWrench · 114K views
Jeep commander 2007 AC problemsLuis Talavera · 9K views
2008 jeep commander neutral bypass ignition problemsrepo man · 4K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2006 is the same generation.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 76 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- UConnect Hands Free Module Fails To Respond Due To Module Lock Up This bulletin involves…
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the driver may accidentally hit the ignition key with their knee,.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2013
A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
- Suspension · recall issued 2009
ROCK KRAWLER IS RECALLING 44 PERFORMANCE SUSPENSION SYSTEMS SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE.
Show all 6 recalls
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2008 4.7L engines only
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 24,461 MY 2006 JEEP COMMANDER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 4.7L V8 ENGINES.
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SOFTWARE PROGRAMMED INTO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE MAY ALLOW A MOMENTARY DELAY IN BRAKING WHEN COASTING UP A HILL DURING CERTAIN CONDITIONS.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2006
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE INTEGRATED RETRACTOR BRACKET EDGE ON THE THIRD ROW SEAT MAY CONTACT THE SEAT BELT DURING CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BELT WEBBING.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedAir bag non-deployment2014
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedEngine stalling2007–2008
- ClosedEngine stall2007
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,750–$4,300 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
Every Jeep Commander year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Jeep Commander years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/jeep-commander/?y=2006" title="Jeep Commander reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/jeep-commander/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Jeep Commander reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Jeep Commander reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 6 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 634; 100 is average, lower is better). The Jeep Commander year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2008.
What are the most common 2006 Jeep Commander problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (52%), electrical (27%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Jeep Commander have?
6 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Jeep Commander get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Jeep Commander problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 29,000 miles (8,000–47,000 km) (the middle half of the 339 complaints, of all 422 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Jeep Commander have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Jeep Commander cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,300 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Jeep Commander have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Jeep Commander year is better than the 2006?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about twice the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works