2007 Jeep Commander Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2007 Jeep Commander most often describe the engine quitting while driving — at highway speed, at a stop light or while idling — sometimes with the key involved, sometimes with no warning at all. Complaints also cover the key binding or turning in the ignition, repeated stalling that dealers could not duplicate, and intermittent electrical loss where gauges, lights and throttle response drop out. Reports span a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well past 150,000, and many were filed after recall 14V438000 was announced, often noting that parts were unavailable or the fix did not stop the symptom.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine stalls or shuts off while driving

   • 376 complaints (54%)
   • median 70,000 mi at 6.1 yrs old (329 state mileage)
   • 13 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $675 (median of 8 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2025

   Complaints describe the engine cutting out at highway speed, at stop lights, while idling or just after start-up, with no warning or only a brief flash of dashboard lights. Many say they were able to coast to the shoulder and restart, while others report the vehicle would not restart immediately and had to sit. Dealers are said to have been unable to reproduce the failure, or to have replaced ignition switches, relays, crank and cam sensors, throttle parts or the powertrain control module without stopping the recurrence. Reported from roughly 4,000 to 200,000 miles, at all speeds including highway cruise and idle in traffic.

   Recall 14V4380001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the ignition switch recall (14V438000) was completed and whether the work order shows it. On a test drive, note any stumble at idle or hesitation under light throttle, and have a scan tool check for stored codes.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I've been having a problem with my 07 Jeep Commander ill be driving on road and for no reason it will just turn off this im my primary car and I have a new born baby I would hate to get a phone call that they have been in a accident there has to be a recall on this right away this is the 3rd time it has happen please help.”

   NHTSA complaint #10492376, filed 2013-01, 55,504 miles

   “Engine does not start sometimes, have had recalled ignition put in already. Then it stalled on highway, had it towed to mechanic, couldn't get it jumped. He took off serpentine belt and showed us engine was locked up. It has a 5.7 hemi in it. I get all fluids changed when I'm supposed to. Change oil and filter religiously with best oil and filter available . Mechanic even said all fluids looked great. He can't understand it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11183606, filed 2019-03, 140,000 miles
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Ignition key/switch trouble: stuck key, no start, engine

   • 115 complaints (17%)
   • median 86,621 mi at 7.9 yrs old (94 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2007–2022

   Owners describe the key remaining stuck in the ignition, the engine shutting off when the key is bumped or the driver's knee contacts it, and intermittent no-crank where turning the key produces nothing. Some report the vehicle not turning off, or needing the key jiggled before it starts. Complaints mention ignition switch and cylinder replacements, and several say a recall repair was performed but the problem returned or a replacement cover did not fit properly. Reported across the range from about 2,000 to 340,000 miles, including vehicles still relatively new.

   Recall 14V4380001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Test the key in every position, try starting several times, and check that only the vehicle key is on the ring. Confirm in writing whether recall 14V438000 was applied and keep the receipt.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My Jeep continues to shut off when driving, I have been contacting Jeep for approximately 1 year now and they keep telling me there are no parts available. There has been a recall on the ignition switch but no repair parts available, my Jeep just turns off and it is really scaring me.”

   NHTSA complaint #10695459, filed 2015-03, 50,000 miles

   “I was driving home from work and my ignition switch turned off by itself this is the third time it's done this. Twice ive almost gotten crashed from behind”

   NHTSA complaint #11398619, filed 2021-03, 122,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical power loss and flashing dash lights

   Mentioned in 12 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe all dash lights, gauges and accessories flashing or going dark, followed by loss of throttle response and, in some cases, loss of power steering assist and braking assist. Some say the engine idles but the vehicle will not accelerate, and others report the center display going blank until electrical power returns after coasting. Dealers reportedly found nothing on some visits and cleared codes or flashed modules on others. Reported from about 10,000 to 190,000 miles, at city and highway speeds and at stop lights.

   Recall 13V175000Recall 14V4380003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Look for a history of module reflashes or replaced shift modules, and watch the instrument cluster during the test drive for flickering or warning lights that stay on after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “About 9 times over the last 3 years, my Jeep Commander 2007 limited v8 has stalled while moving causing the electrical components including lights, radio, dashboard panel, etc to momentarily turn off. Each time, the stall is accompanied by a loud clunking noise. In each instance I have been traveling on the interstate 60+ MPH. I am able to restart everytime by either pulling over or putting the car into neutral, restarting the engine, and then putting it back into drive while moving. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10447979, filed 2012-02, 40,000 miles

   “The prnd gears lit up with boxes around them - the service parking assist brake came on as well.... I could not accelerate at all after the light turned green - had to turn on hazard lights and turn vehicle off and back on - worked fine for 10 minutes or so and then the check engine light came on, it has been on ever since. Called the dealership about this they asked me to bring it in for diagnosing, but hesitant because of all the same kind of stories that I have read on this issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10433947, filed 2011-11, 77,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission limp mode, harsh or delayed shifting

   • 151 complaints (22%)
   • median 66,761 mi at 5.2 yrs old (132 state mileage)
   • 8 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2007–2023

   Owners report the transmission dropping into limp mode and refusing to exceed about 30 mph, harsh or delayed engagement between gears, lunging forward at a stop without throttle input, and the PRND indicator lighting up with all positions boxed. Dealers reportedly replaced the electronic shift module, repaired grounds or applied a firmware update, and in some cases advised that the transmission needed rebuilding. Commonly reported between about 23,000 and 125,000 miles, often during acceleration or after a stop.

   Recall 13V1750003 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive from a cold start through several upshifts and a full stop, watching for delayed engagement or a limp-mode message. Ask for service records on the shift module or any transmission work.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was driving home from picking up my daughter from a school event when suddenly my car slowed down on its own down to 10 MPH. Then the car completely stopped. On the control console it only read service park assist and the drive position controls where all highlighted and boxed out (drnp). I lost all control of the vehicle other than turning the wheel. I tried to accelerate by pressing the gas and it just revved the engine and did nothing else. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10489142, filed 2012-12, 67,522 miles

   “I visited a dealership to diagnose why the check engine light was on in my vehicle, as well as to diagnose why it was losing acceleration when approaching highway speed. After about half an hour, I was advised by the service advisor, that, 'they have been seeing a lot of this' and the cause was the gear shifter console which needed to be replaced. She followed this by stating the replacement was not covered under warranty and provided me with the estimated cost. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10281774, filed 2009-08, 45,938 miles

Buying note. This model year comes with a long complaint record centered on stalling and ignition/electrical behaviour, so a thorough test drive plus a scan for stored codes matters more than cosmetics. Confirm in writing which recalls (notably 14V438000 and 13V175000) were completed and check service records for repeated stalling or transmission-module work.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.