The Lemon Index
200820101st generation (XK)
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 12,655 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 10 complaints in its first 3 years.
10 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–16 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Toyota Highlander 772009 Honda Pilot 182009 Ford Explorer
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
What breaks most on the 2009 Jeep Commander
- Engine stalling17 complaintsmostly at 34,000–106,000 miles (55,000–171,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 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
Only 10 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 13V175000 (transmission & drivetrain), 09E039000 (suspension) and 09V118000 (electrical) done? 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?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Jeep sent dealers 51 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire”?
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 10 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 15K to 59K miles (24K to 96K km) on the car (10 of all 10 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.
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 2009 is the same generation.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 51 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
- NAG1 Transmission Before installing the transmission with the engine, check for dowel pins (2)…
- Transmission Kit with Torque Converter 1
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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.
- Electrical · recall issued 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES.
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–$4,000 (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. 2009 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 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/jeep-commander/?y=2009" 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/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Jeep Commander reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Jeep Commander reliable?
We can't score it: only 12,655 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 10 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Jeep Commander problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (20%), engine (20%) and engine (10%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Jeep Commander have?
3 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Jeep Commander get?
15 to 16 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Jeep Commander have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Jeep Commander cost in fuel a year?
About $3,750 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Jeep Commander have?
3.7L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl.
What Jeep Commander year is better than the 2009?
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