I filed a previous complaint regarding my 2006 Jeep commander 5.7 l hemi regarding the engine light coming on and the hesitation you get when you are driving. I was told that the PCM sensor needed replaced and it has been but the problem is still there. We have had the o2 sensor replaced twice, the gas filter replaced, transmission fluid and filter changed, my Jeep has been in the shop many…
2006 Jeep Commander engine problems
moderate 355 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
355
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
7crashes
2fires
2injuries
What stands out
Of the 5 model years of Jeep Commander we track for engine problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 355.
Owners have filed 355 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Uncontrolled stalling—where the engine shuts down mid-drive with complete loss of power steering and brakes—is the defining issue for 2006 Commanders, often leaving owners without a fix despite dealer visits, recalls, and multiple part replacements. Add intake manifold cracking, exhaust bolt failures, and catastrophic engine breakdowns to a pattern of electrical and fuel-system problems that Chrysler has never fully resolved.
The 2006 Jeep Commander's engine complaints center on three distinct failure modes: uncontrolled stalling, intake manifold melting, and exhaust manifold bolt breakage.
Stalling dominates these narratives—occurring without warning at any speed from standstill to 70 mph on freeways, in intersections, at traffic lights, and during turns. Owners lose all electrical power: steering locks up, brakes fail, dash lights extinguish. The problem strikes randomly—once per week to multiple times daily—often when the engine is cold. No check engine light illuminates; diagnostics reveal no codes. Dealers cannot replicate the failure. Some owners report it started within weeks or months of purchase; others after 50,000+ miles. A few note rough idle, hesitation, or sputtering alongside stalling. Chrysler formed a task force and issued a 2008 recall (campaign 08V203000) involving TCM/PCM reprogramming, yet owners report stalling continued afterward. Attempted fixes—EGR valve replacement, MAP sensor swap, ignition switch replacement, battery replacement, fuel filter service, computer reprogramming—have failed to resolve it. One owner documented the issue starting around 2,500 miles and recurring at 8,000, 9,000, 12,000, 15,100, 15,500, 17,500, 18,600, 18,700, 19,000, and 19,406 miles.
Intake manifold failure appears in one detailed narrative: the plastic manifold melted and cracked at 53,165 miles (replaced for $485) and again at 96,057 miles (replaced for $685). The owner suspects a factory defect tied to Florida heat.
Exhaust manifold bolt breakage occurs on the 4.7L engine, with 2–4 bolts snapping and seizing in the block. Broken bolts require engine removal to drill out. One owner paid $3,500 in parts and labor; the dealer confirmed Chrysler installed the wrong bolt grade—a known problem with no HEMI recall despite similar complaints.
Secondary issues include no-start conditions, battery drain, electrical gremlins, and one valve-slip catastrophe requiring full engine replacement at 77,000 miles.
Same Jeep Commander engine reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Uncontrolled stalling (no codes)
Engine shuts down completely without warning while driving or at stops, usually without triggering check engine light or diagnostic codes. All electrical power lost simultaneously—steering locks, brakes fail, dash lights extinguish, headlights go dark. Vehicle restarts normally after shutdown.
When: Most common cold/cool engine start or at stops; range 800 miles to 96,000+ miles; some owners report within weeks of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of engine power while driving or stopped; No warning lights or check engine codes; Loss of power steering and power brakes; Dashboard and exterior lights extinguish; Rough idle before stall; Sputtering and hesitation during acceleration; Vehicle restarts immediately after shutdown
Codes mentioned: P1684 (noted in one narrative), P0884 (noted in one narrative), No codes in majority of cases
Repairs/costs cited: EGR valve replacement, MAP sensor replacement, ignition switch replacement, battery replacement, fuel filter service, TCM/PCM reprogramming, computer software updates—none resolved the issue per owner reports. 2008 recall (campaign 08V203000) involving TCM/PCM reprogramming did not fix problem for multiple owners.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2008 recall 08V203000 (TCM/PCM reprogramming); Chrysler task force formed; some owners offered vehicle buyback; one owner reported Chrysler put 'new program' in vehicle (August 2007) but stalling resumed next day
Intake manifold melting and cracking
Plastic intake manifold deteriorates, melts, and separates from engine block. Occurs twice on same vehicle within ~43,000 miles of first repair. Southern climate (Florida) noted as contributing factor.
When: First failure at 53,165 miles; second failure at 96,057 miles (43,901 miles later)
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle; ESP/BAS indicator lights illuminate; Check engine light illuminates; Traction assist indicator illuminates; Poor handling and improper transmission shifting; Engine stalling at highway speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Intake manifold replacement $485 (first occurrence); $685 (second occurrence); same part number (53032774AA) both times despite dealer claim upper vs. lower manifold difference
Exhaust manifold bolt breakage (4.7L)
Bolts securing exhaust manifold to engine block snap or crack and seize in the block. Loud exhaust leak noise on cold start that lessens during operation. Requires engine lift and bolt extraction to repair. Occurs on 4.7L engine; HEMI has a recall but 4.7L does not.
When: No mileage specified in narrative; described as ongoing issue
Symptoms owners cite: Loud exhaust leak noise on cold start; Noise diminishes while driving; Cracked/broken bolts visible on inspection; Manifold separates from engine block
Repairs/costs cited: Parts: 'upgraded bolts' (Jeep dealership specified grade), gaskets, rear main seal, fan clutch, oil pan gasket; Labor: ~$3,500 total for engine removal, bolt extraction, and reassembly
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer acknowledged problem as known issue; confirmed manufacturer installed wrong bolt grade; no recall on 4.7L (only on HEMI)
No-start and intermittent starting failure
Vehicle fails to crank or start despite functioning electrical components. Clicking noise when key turned. Recurring problem on same vehicle multiple times. Some incidents linked to parasitic battery drain.
When: Multiple occurrences: 32,000 miles, 36,063 miles, 39,049 miles, 48,010 miles, 50,831 miles, 58,057 miles, 61,593 miles (one owner's timeline); also reported at other mileages
Symptoms owners cite: No cranking or slow crank; Clicking noise from starter; Battery dead despite normal voltage before shutdown; All electrical systems function normally
Repairs/costs cited: Security control module replaced; immobilizer control module replaced; starter replaced; battery replaced multiple times; radio suspected and replaced; parasitic short suspected but cause unknown per dealer; cost $277+ for battery and rental car in one case
Engine valve slip and complete engine failure
Intake valve slips down into cylinder, destroying piston and cylinder wall. Occurs without hard driving (highway use only). Requires complete engine replacement. Also reported: engine failure with catastrophic internal damage requiring new motor; one case with 77,000 miles on 5.7L HEMI.
When: 77,000 miles (5.7L HEMI, light highway use only); another case at unspecified mileage with ~20,000 miles since purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Smoke pours from exhaust on restart; Engine sounds like 'bucket of bolts' on startup; Loud explosion sound on ignition; Engine seized or catastrophically damaged internally
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement required; one owner paid ~$40,000 total; another awaiting replacement cost; aftermarket replacement engines available (Jasper brand noted as having improvements over original Mopar)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No response from Chrysler per owner narratives; one owner noted Jasper engine supplier states improvements were made to 2006 motor design due to original defect
Synthesized from 355 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Stalling while driving; loss of all lighting systems and power. *tr
Cruising at highway speeds Jeep commander shuts off completely. Luckily drivers have been able to steer out of traffic. This has also been observed at lower speeds. *tr
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Jeep Commander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Jeep Commander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 355 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 284 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 10,600 and 78,600 miles, with the median around 30,502. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,600; a quarter make it past 78,600. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Jeep/Commander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.