Was driving the speed limit when I started smelling an electrical burning smell several seconds later my passenger side airbag deployed while I was driving scaring me almost causing an accident I am almost 7 months pregnant!!! Now the airbag light is also on and I am terrified to drive!
2009 Jeep Commander
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Fewer warning signs than most model years
Owner complaints for the 2009 Jeep Commander are lower than the model-year median of 186.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Commander years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
39 reports with mileage · 7 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 21 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
21 reportsThe commander turns off on its own, brakes on its own, the alarm does its own thing, the esp/bas lights are on, buttons on dash don’t work most of the time, sunroof drain is faulty, and leaks rivers of water into my car! Also had my brakes to seize up on me and I couldn’t move from a danged stop sign. I just want a vehicle I c…
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The commander turns off on its own, brakes on its own, the alarm does its own thing, the esp/bas lights are on, buttons on dash don’t work most of the time, sunroof drain is faulty, and leaks rivers of water into my car! Also had my brakes to seize up on me and I couldn’t move from a danged stop sign. I just want a vehicle I can rely on.
JUST LIKE THE 2008 MODEL, WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRY TO TURN THE KEY OFF THE WILL NOT TURN OFF ALL THE WAY. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY FROM THE AUXILIARY POSITION TO THE ON POSITION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL THE KEY FINALLY GOES INTO THE OFF POSITION. ONLY THEN WILL IT RELEASE THE KEY. WHEN I LOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHI…
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JUST LIKE THE 2008 MODEL, WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TRY TO TURN THE KEY OFF THE WILL NOT TURN OFF ALL THE WAY. I HAVE TO TURN THE KEY FROM THE AUXILIARY POSITION TO THE ON POSITION FOR SEVERAL MINUTES UNTIL THE KEY FINALLY GOES INTO THE OFF POSITION. ONLY THEN WILL IT RELEASE THE KEY. WHEN I LOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH 2 DIFFERENT TIMES. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE 2008 MODEL FOR THE SAME ISSUE. I AM STILL DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM TODAY.
MY JEEP HAS PERIODIC STARTING ISSUES. ALL THE LIGHTS WORK ON THE DASH IT JUST CLICKS. THIS IS VERY RANDOM. IF YOU JUMP IT THE VEHICLE WILL START. SOMETIMES IF YOU WAIT A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL START. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED STARTER BUT ISSUE STILLS PERSIST. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RECREATE. DEALERS HAVE NO CLUE WHAT …
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MY JEEP HAS PERIODIC STARTING ISSUES. ALL THE LIGHTS WORK ON THE DASH IT JUST CLICKS. THIS IS VERY RANDOM. IF YOU JUMP IT THE VEHICLE WILL START. SOMETIMES IF YOU WAIT A PERIOD OF TIME IT WILL START. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY REPLACED STARTER BUT ISSUE STILLS PERSIST. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO RECREATE. DEALERS HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE.
THE REMOTE CAR STARTER STARTS MY VEHICLE? BUT 5-10 SECONDS LATER IT SHUTS BACK OFF AND MY RADIO TURNS ITSELF ON AND OFF EVEN WHILE ITS NOT ON. THE DISPLAY GOES BLACK, MAKES A CLICK, SHOWS THE JEEP LOGO, BARS WHERE THE TIME SHOULD BE, 12:00, THEN THE REAL TIME, THEN DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN THE ENTIRE TIME THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. T…
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THE REMOTE CAR STARTER STARTS MY VEHICLE? BUT 5-10 SECONDS LATER IT SHUTS BACK OFF AND MY RADIO TURNS ITSELF ON AND OFF EVEN WHILE ITS NOT ON. THE DISPLAY GOES BLACK, MAKES A CLICK, SHOWS THE JEEP LOGO, BARS WHERE THE TIME SHOULD BE, 12:00, THEN THE REAL TIME, THEN DOES IT ALL OVER AGAIN THE ENTIRE TIME THE VEHICLE IS RUNNING. THERE IS ALSO A CLICKING NOISE SOMETIMES WHEN I UNLOCK THE DOORS EVEN WHILE THE JEEP IS OFF, IT ALSO HAPPENS SOMETIMES WHEN TURNING THE HEAT ON. THIS IS SOMETIMES RESOLVED BY CHANGING THE FAN TO CABIN MODE, OTHER TIMES IT CONTINUES FOR RANDOM LENGTHS OF TIME. I SEE THAT THERE WERE OTHER RECALLS REGARDING THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ON THIS MODEL & AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING IT IN CASE IT TURNS INTO A MORE SERIOUS ISSUE. WHEN LOOKING AT RECALL INFORMATION ON KBB.COM IT SAYS MY VIN IS A PART OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RECALL FOR POWER TRAIN TRANSFER CASE, BUT WHEN I CHECK IT HERE IT SAYS THERE ARE NO INREPAIRED RECALLS. I AM NOT SURE IF IT HAS ALREADY BEEN FIXED, OR IF MY VEHICLE IS Y A PART OF IT, BUT THERE IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING GOING WRONG NOW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS BECOMING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. PERRY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2340 NATIONAL CITY BLVD, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950, (619) 477-1234) ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS BECOMING STUCK IN THE IGNITION. PERRY CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM (2340 NATIONAL CITY BLVD, NATIONAL CITY, CA 91950, (619) 477-1234) ACKNOWLEDGED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN, PARKED, SHUT OFF, RETURNED TO VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO START. LIGHTS, HORN, ALARM, RADIO, WINDOWS ALL POWER STILL WORKS ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO IN NETWORK CAR SHOP, ALL PARTS TESTED WORKING PROPERLY (ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER) NO INTERMITTENT STARTING WITH THE VEHICLE AT ALL. VEHICLE HA…
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VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN, PARKED, SHUT OFF, RETURNED TO VEHICLE AND IT FAILED TO START. LIGHTS, HORN, ALARM, RADIO, WINDOWS ALL POWER STILL WORKS ON THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE TAKEN TO IN NETWORK CAR SHOP, ALL PARTS TESTED WORKING PROPERLY (ALTERNATOR, BATTERY, STARTER) NO INTERMITTENT STARTING WITH THE VEHICLE AT ALL. VEHICLE HAS FAILED TO START SINCE INCIDENT. VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO MANUFACTURE DEALERSHIP TOMORROW. CURRENT MILEAGE 100784
A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD GOING AROUND A SEMI SHARP TURN THE JEEP JUST SHUT OFF. LIGHTS, ENGINE, BRAKES ALL POWER SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE JEEP IN NEUTRAL AND START IT BACK UP. EVERYTIME SINCE WHILE DRIVING THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKER AS WELL AS THE HEADLIGHTS. IT STALLS AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES THE TR…
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A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE DRIVING DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD GOING AROUND A SEMI SHARP TURN THE JEEP JUST SHUT OFF. LIGHTS, ENGINE, BRAKES ALL POWER SHUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE JEEP IN NEUTRAL AND START IT BACK UP. EVERYTIME SINCE WHILE DRIVING THE DASH LIGHTS FLICKER AS WELL AS THE HEADLIGHTS. IT STALLS AT TIMES AND SOMETIMES THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON UNTIL I TURN THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WILL NOT RELEASE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I SEARCHED FOR A RECALL AS THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED AND FOUND NOTHING. SINCE I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD SET THE AIRBAG OFF, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE LIGHT IS ON. THE LIGHTS ON THE DAS…
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THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND AFTER TAKING IT TO THE MECHANIC, I WAS INFORMED THAT IT WILL NOT RELEASE IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT. I SEARCHED FOR A RECALL AS THE MECHANIC SUGGESTED AND FOUND NOTHING. SINCE I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT THAT WOULD SET THE AIRBAG OFF, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE LIGHT IS ON. THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD, INTERIOR LIGHTS, AUTOSTART, HEATED SEATS, REAR SENSORS, AND ANTI SKID HAVE ALL STOPPED WORKING. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS 9 YEARS OLD, IT HAS LESS THAN 60,000 MILES AND IS WELL CARED FOR. THE MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THAT I HAVE A FAULTY BOARD. FAULTY SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING JEEP SHOULD BE PAYING FOR NOT ME. BUBBLING OF PAINT ON THE HOOD OF THE TRUCK AND ITS SPREADING. AGAIN, ALL THESE ISSUES SHOULD BE COVERED BY JEEP. THESE ISSUES ARE THE RESULT OF POOR OR FAULTY MANUFACTURING PROCESSES AND SHOULD NOT BE VISITED UPON THE CONSUMER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMMANDER. AFTER THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE RIEHL'S CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE, RAM (25800 GRATIOT AVE, ROSEVILLE, …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 JEEP COMMANDER. AFTER THE CONTACT INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH, THE VEHICLE OPERATED INDEPENDENTLY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MIKE RIEHL'S CHRYSLER, JEEP, DODGE, RAM (25800 GRATIOT AVE, ROSEVILLE, MI 48066) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRING, ALTERNATOR, AND BATTERY HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,203.
Official recalls
213V175000 · Electrical System; Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
May 7, 2013
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Electrical System
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Power Train:transfer Case (4-WHEEL Drive)
Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
Consequence: If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
09V118000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal; Electrical System:wiring
Apr 9, 2009
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags:frontal
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Air Bags
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Electrical System:wiring
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 4,314 MY 2009 DODGE JOURNEY, JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, COMMANDER AND WRANGLER VEHICLES. WIRING MAY BE REVERSED ON THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE DRIVER AIRBAG SQUIB CONNECTOR. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG MAY NOT PROPERLY INFLATE AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT AN OCCUPANT, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG SQUIB WIRES AND REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN CONTROL MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING MAY 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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