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Comments
I am seriously looking for a new/newer SUV. I don't think that I will ever buy another Jeep based on the few issues I have had with this one. Being stranded with it was 1 time too many for me.
Maybe a new thread should be started for everyone with longstanding, recurring and various complaints about the 2006 Commander. Everyone who fits that criteria and wants to address Jeep Collectively should congregate there and coordinate efforts.
Though my Jeep Commander has now been rebuilt on my dime, I am still having - as of Friday - problems with it not feeling reliable in that I can sometimes feel it hold back when I am accelerating, dashboard lights are blinking and the control panel for information - the one that you press and it shows you temperature, wheel pressure, etc., the buttons get broiling hot so that you can barely touch them. This has been a problem since I first got the commander...but, remember, my dealer didn't process my warranty paperwork as requested and we didn't double check so they wouldn't cover anything.
If someone starts a thread for us all to congregate and coordinate efforts towards forcing Jeep Chrysler Corporate to address these problems, I will join it.
Couple of questions:
1. Is it the first model of the commander in 2006 ?
2.Does Firmware Upgrade help inthis case ?
3.Has anyone changed the Ignition box/start and the stalling/flashing of the front panel (diagnostics mode) issue fixed ?
4. Since it is a big safety issue for me and my family. Will a collective law suite from all the current users having problem help ?
Thanks
I posted my response under a different title....I will post my questions under this thread again. Here they are:
I just purchased (by Mistake) this jeep commander-06. It started to show all these signs mentioned here. Like everybody else I went to the dealer ...got no help whatso ever.
Couple of questions:
1. Is it the first model of the commander in 2006 ?
2.Does Firmware Upgrade help inthis case ?
3.Has anyone changed the Ignition box/start and the stalling/flashing of the front panel (diagnostics mode) issue fixed ?
4. Since it is a big safety issue for me and my family. Will a collective law suite from all the current users having problem help ?
Thanks
Sorry for the looooog entry but I wanted others to know that they are not alone!
Jay
2006 Jeep Commander 3.7, 4x4
New tranny at 36k! More recently I haven't driven my 2006 Jeep Commander for several months because it has become so unreliable in regards to stalling, hesitating and not starting.
Just trying to get it running long enough to bring it to the wholesaler and take a $4,000 loss on it. Going to try replacing the crankshaft sensor and see if that gets it going.
This is the biggest waste of money ever! I wish I didn't ditch my 4.6L V8 F150 (14 mpg avg.) for this 3.7L V6, the MPG rating is what really swayed me, 17 city, 21 highway. In reality it's 14.5 average! If you're really careful, going downhill with a good breeze behind you it'll get up to 21.5!
There are so many points on this vehicle that Chrysler went wrong, drivetrain and electrical of course but a traction control system that you can shut off.... but not really, it's still on! Misrepresenting the fuel economy, the fabric seats that stain from just water, clearcoat peeling off the wheels are just a few!
i was told to coordinate and send Jeep Certified Registered Letters detailing problems. If we all do so at the same time...
that was my predicament when i first realized how much $ had to go into recreating the car so that it functioned consistently (though i still can't call it reliable), i.e., i realized that there was no alternative but to do so. Once you buy a jeep commander, it is - for reasons above - yours forever.
I traded my '08 last year with a different SUV. What a surprise, as I was with a buddy in his Hyunda car for his scheduled oil change in a Hyundai Dealer here at Lincoln Ave, Chicago, I saw my Commander park behind the building full of dust along with other cars. I know my Jeep since the grille was replaced with a chrome mesh screen, like a Jaguar and the front and rear "Jeep" logo was removed for Ebay. I inquired its status, and a salesman told me it was a trade-in for a new Sonata. So it was sold and later used as a trade-in again from that time period I disposed it. And the jeep was never resold. They could not fix the problem, so its just sittng there for almost 10 months now.
Maybe some owners does not have the same problem or is it? We all love our Commanders, but is it a reliable SUVs? We can keep it and why not, but we have to brace ourselves when the rough gets going! Good luck.
Then I pulled into my driveway and wondered if it was my a/c doing this but turning it off and on did not make the dashboard lights come on. Then I accidentally hit the key while it was in the ignition and the car was still running and the lights came on again!
Today I took it in for an oil change and asked them to come to my car I wanted to show them what was happening so maybe they could fix it. I jiggled the key in the ignition with the car running and the dashboard lights came on!
They told me it was my ignition switch making that happen and was told to get it fixed right away as my car would eventually stall if the switch went totally out!
Does all this make sense? Or is it something else?
I have been reading all the stall posts and now I am a little worried about driving this curvy country road to work!
Thanks for any help with this ...
Vanessa
Has anyone else had and successfully fixed the software problem, i.e., is that what is the source of the stall issues and blinking dash?
I've pretty much - nearly $7k to do so - got Commander to the level of almost reliable, but the blinking dashboard and feeling of lag when quickly accelerating from what, if I was in standard, would be 1st to 2nd to 3rd, the mechanics think is a software problem. I'm reluctant to put more $ into the Commander but it isn't fair to pass such a dangerous problem on to someone else and I feel like - if this 1 hopefully last manufacturer's mistake is corrected, it will be a great SUV to have on hand. In addition, I love it's contemporary design.
DETROIT (Reuters) – Honda Motor Co Ltd will recall 1.5 million cars and small SUVs in United States to repair the software that controls the automatic transmission, the automaker said on Friday.
jeep dealer - they are really too much - told me that they couldn't just clean holes out but had to replace several pieces estimating cost $500+. however, 2 independent service stations explained that just cleaning them out would end the leaks into the passenger side. I was charged $135. they use a high pressure air hose. I have been through several storms since they were cleaned out, i.e., no more leaks since cleaned out with high pressure air hose.
you'll know if it's clogged drain holes if you park over dry pavement, pour windshield fluid into tracks of drainage area of open sunroof and over the wheel wells - if the sunroof drains aren't clogged - you will see the fluid; if the sunroof drains are clogged it will remain dry.
Hopefully that's the problem. It's easy to remedy.
Since that day it stalls randomly for no reason, even while driving at high rates of speed, dashboard controls go out, headlights go out (yes even on dark roads at night). I have found that if I am patient when I turn the key, and wait a few seconds for all of the controls to climb up before actually starting the engine, that the dash board will function normally, but occasionally the engine light is on after an "incident".
Jeep had a recall for some computer chip so I contacted them to see if that could be the problem and they said that my VIN was included in the recall but had already been repaired.
Based on all of the things I'm reading I'm considering having the ignition switch replaced but haven't tried that yet b/c I'm not into throwing money away for no real reason.
Why hasn't more been done? I bet I have seen hundreds of posts for this or very similar issues with this SUV...how are they getting away with what is clearly a manufacturing defect as significant as this? Does someone have to die first????
I wonder if any type of class action suit has been filed...if not maybe I will pursue that
If you're really considering class action, you need to start complaining to Jeep via certified letters. If someone on this forum starts a thread with letter by which the letters can be uniform, and then each of us adds our own personal details as experienced that would be great.
In absence of that suit or until that suit forms, you're essentially doing as I'm doing, i.e., rebuilding The Commander so that it functions like a real Jeep.
The company should be ashamed of itself not taking initiative here.
I have become so accustom to this happening to my jeep that if I'm super careful when I start it up I dont seem to have as many issues. So basically what i have to do is get in...gentlly and slowly turn the key to the on position and wait until all of the controls go up before actually starting the engine. I have had times where I'm driving and the dashboard controls all go to zero basically after the lights flicker and a few dings happen. My headlights also go out when this happens so when it's dark it's loads of fun!
It's very frustrating and there is no doubt that this model has some MAJOR electrical or computer issues and it's also obvious that JEEP doesn't really give a damn
if you can't trade in at a reasonable price, i really recommend finding an independent/non-dealer jeep specialist in your area. someone who actually drives and owns jeeps. i luckily found that at BP in Wilton, CT; there they discovered the basic problems were rotting hoses and other 'lines'. now that those have been replaced, i really don't have the problems of stalling any longer. apparently the hoses originally installed were not of good enough quality or maybe they were installed poorly; all i know is that now that those have been replaced, the commander isn't being towed constantly.
jeep should have recalled the commander on this basis but since they didn't, if you have one, that's the way to repair it, i.e., as jeep corporate said, "it's a total rebuild (which they were not going to cover; and they dealer insisted they would not pay for)."
I found an actual Jeep specialist in Wilton, CT at the BP service center there. I don't know if it's possible for him to diagnose your vehicle over the phone or to consult with your local jeep technician, but I would consider it. He totally resuscitated my Jeep Commander.
And, I hope the following helps:
re. check engine light, that seems to come on less so in mild but not hot and not cold outdoor temperatures, and when I am using premium gasoline.
However, even under those conditions, when I really use that V8 engine quickly up to 80mph say from 40 or 50 mph or when I make a sharp turn, that check engine light will likely come on. I have replaced gas cap and had that checked. it's just very sensitive. I'm sure Jeep told you that it will shut off on its own within 80miles of driving from when it came on and after you've started and turned off engine a couple of times.
re. electrical system, I haven't had them work on this yet but it is still a concern because if you feel the control panel it gets scorching hot. again, when outdoor temp is mild the panel lights don't blink but when it's either hot or cold the panel lights blink. I had older person in the car recently and hadn't warned them about this...the blinking lights, they thought they were having a stroke.
the starter has been replaced 2x. Once by Jeep Dealer and another by the independent BP technician. The one installed by BP in Wilton, CT has not had any problems. There is no choking like there was with the 1 the Commander came with and like there was with the 1 that the Georgetown/Norwalk, CT Jeep dealer installed.
That said, BP Jeep Specialist also replaced some hoses that had deteriorated. you should have your technician check for deterioration of the hoses. That can impact the ability of the starter to function.
And, though you didn't mention it, if you have sunroof and you notice water leaking into roof of car, the trick is to get the drain holes in the sunroof, to get technician to use airhose to blow them out clean. there will be debris, leaves, dirt, car wash wax, etc., and that is what clogs up and causes leaks, water collecting in roof, etc., which can also cause electrical problems if not remedied.
Once you find the right jeep specialist, it can become, though more expensive than you anticipated, a lovely looking and interesting car to own.
Speaking with a friend who has a Jeep Commander, I asked if he had problems with it. His reply, not at all except water collects in the roof of the car and he can't get it out. As if that is normal? but this commander was his first Jeep. Prior to this he only had BMWs so he thought it was 'normal'/'to be expected' for Jeeps.
If someone - preferably an attorney- takes the initiative regarding class action i will contribute my paperwork, i.e., I have Jeep names, numbers, dates, details of conversations, etc. indicating that Jeep is well aware of not only my complaint but that several more of these complaints are posted here on Edmunds...
The problem stopped for a few weeks and then started again, this time on fairly flat terrain with and without the cruise control engaged. I tried several things, including keeping the jeep out of overdrive and only in fifth gear while driving. It seemed to make a difference so I took it to a Jeep dealer here in Houston. They couldn't find and specific problem with the engine except that a bulletin had been issued to upgrade the computer software for a problem with the cruise control similar to what I had described. The problem again went away for a little while.
On another road trip, the car started the RPM thing, then there was a loud bang from the engine, the whole car shuddered and then stalled out doing about 75 MPH. We managed to wrestle the car to the side of the raod and it started right back up so we nursed it to our destination. When we drove home, the car did the RPM thing but no more stalls, thank God. I took the jeep to a mechanic I had been using and trusted and he said that a fuel intake sensor was bad which may be causing the ragged performance. Plus he said we probably were noticing our fuel economy crapping out, which it had.
That didn;t do it and the car is worse than ever. This weekend, my daughter drove the car on a road trip for the first time since the work was done and at first, it ran good but on the return trip, the car stalled no less than eight times in 350 miles! One time, it stalled and she tried to get it to the side of the road but was approaching a bridge and couldn;t get over far enough. A senmi starte blowing its horn at her and she freaked out and ran into the bridge abutment, damaging the blinker, fender, hood, front bumper and tearing off the fender flair on the passenger side of the car.
If there isn't a lwasuit pending, then someone should sue them before someone really gets hurt!
Mickey
I wish that Jeep Chrysler cared about the safety of the vehicles they have on the road, but in the case of our Jeep Commanders, they do not; in my experience they are purposely turning a blind eye.
I was lucky to find that Jeep Expert in Wilton, CT BP station; finding a local independent station with an actual Jeep Expert seems to be the solution.
I was lucky to find that Jeep Expert and doubly lucky that he is not only talened but honest. They did a lot of work on The Commander but just enough to make sure I don't have recurring problems that interfere with the practical reliabiliy of The Commander. I can't say enough to get all of the hoses checked and if they are the originals that the commander came with, see if they need to be replaced.
Regarding the class action someone else proposed. does anyone know what is the statute of limitations on that possibility?
This jeep has cost me much more-$ and anxiety than my former BMWs or the Jaguar.
Thank you.
From my experience, I suggest you do not let that commander go out of warranty before you have an independent service station jeep specialist check it out; because, when the starter has gone on a vehicle with such low mileage there are likely other problems that are on the verge of erupting and will cost a few thousand to repair if you don't include towing.
In my case, same experience as yours with starter going (mine at 30,287miles); after being treated horribly by the Chrysler Jeep dealer that I purchased from I brought to local jeep specialist who discovered and showed me that the following also needed to be replaced and quickly: transcooler lines; power steering hoses; front and rear brakes rotor and brake pads. He physically showed me and an engineer who I took along for a 2nd opinion how worn out and how much fluid was leaking from the hoses. as he said, if the starter is gone at only 30k there are other parts about to cease too.
and, why don't they just repair the runoff lines instead of replacing them? repair because it sounds like the run off lines are separate pieces put together and they just need to be reconnected.
thank you
Also, I agree with you and others here within this forum that Chrysler jeep does not care about restoring us to 'satisfied' customers; I have dated, fully cited quotes from Chrysler Corporate customer service who agreed that I could quote them declining to warranty my starter at 30k miles in 2008 stating that they will not be 'restoring' the commanders, the dealer adding that they do not care what corporate agrees is a defect, etc. What's more in my discussions with Chrysler over the last month I have been spoken to so rudely, given the run around, told that there were no TSBs regarding sunroof & radio (once I provided the TSBs to them they said they woukd have supervisor call me back - 2 weeks later I get the call back during which I referred to TSBs & was told by supervisor that they didn't matter?!?)