The Lemon Index
200720091st generation (XK)
66 owner complaints, first 3 years 14–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2008 Toyota Highlander 1582008 Honda Pilot 232008 Ford Explorer 29
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2008 Jeep Commander
- Engine stalling110 complaintsmostly at 42,000–95,000 miles (68,000–153,000 km)
- Starter23 complaintsmostly at 36,000–107,000 miles (58,000–172,000 km)
- Sunroof leak or shatter19 complaintsmostly at 52,000–95,000 miles (84,000–153,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 438 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2008 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 5,500 and 41,000 miles (8,900–66,000 km) (the middle half of the 59 complaints, of all 66 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 14V567000 (electrical), 13V175000 (transmission & drivetrain) and 09E039000 (suspension) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Jeep sent dealers 56 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands…”?
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 66 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 40K miles (9K to 66K km) on the car (59 of all 66 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
While driving the wipers and lights turned on, but all other electrical stopped working. All gauges were off including turn indicators, speedometer, and odometer. Very scary.
2008 Jeep Commander owner · NHTSA complaint 10311219
More owner reports
Electrical system faulty on 07 Jeep Commander. Also known as the "stall bug".
NHTSA complaint 10236198
Windshield crack for no apparent reason. No signs of impact.
NHTSA complaint 10379497
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 2008 is the same generation.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 56 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Flash: UConnect and Voice Recognition Inoperative This bulletin involves replacing the Hands…
- Part Description: 5.7L Long Block Issue Description: This 5.7L Long Block Assembly is…
- NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2)…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2014
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.
- 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 5 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2008
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES.
- Brakes · recall issued 2007
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 dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
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. 2008 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 2008 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/jeep-commander/?y=2008" 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/2008/">Lemon Index</a> (2008 Jeep Commander reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2008 Jeep Commander reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 240; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2008 Jeep Commander problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (36%), visibility (23%) and engine (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2008 Jeep Commander have?
5 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 2008 Jeep Commander get?
14 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2008 Jeep Commander problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,500 and 41,000 miles (8,900–66,000 km) (the middle half of the 59 complaints, of all 66 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2008 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 2008 Jeep Commander have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2008 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 2008 Jeep Commander have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Jeep Commander year than the 2008?
Not nearby: the 2008 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Jeep Commander years within 3 model years of it.
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