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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2007 Jeep Commander body problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,500 · see body across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,500
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering body on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Use of Aftermarket Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of aftermarket parts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Repair Parts Used For Structural Repairs This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to structural repair parts usage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Use of Salvage/Recycled Parts This bulletin involves discussing FCA US LLC position with regard to collision repair industry awareness regarding the use of recycled or salvage parts.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Jeep Commander's body exhibits persistent water-intrusion problems that start early in ownership. Owners report cabin flooding through A-pillars, door seals, window handle mounting holes, and around the sunroof area—failures that repeat with every rain event. Some owners have had to service sunroof drains multiple times within months; dealer work carries no warranty because "no actual part broke." Water damage triggers electrical failures in domes lights, headlamps, wipers, and dash components as moisture spreads through the cabin and harness.
Beyond water leaks, owners describe a dangerous design flaw: the ignition key sits unusually low on the console where drivers' knees can accidentally contact it during normal driving, killing the engine and power steering without notice. One owner nearly collided when his knee shut off the vehicle during a turn.
Gas tank straps corrode and fail, with owners reporting two of three straps completely missing and the third broken through. Loose metal hangs from the undercarriage sparking on pavement—a fuel puncture hazard. One owner found this complaint widespread across the Jeep line but says it's not a recall issue.
Separately, both rear interior door handles fail simultaneously, leaving rear passengers unable to exit the cabin from inside.
Same Jeep Commander body reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Ignition Key Accidental Shutdown
Ignition key located unusually low on the steering column console; driver's knee contacts it during normal driving, causing engine to shut off unexpectedly and cutting off power steering without warning.
When: At any time during driving; reported at 10 months ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off abruptly during driving; Power steering stops functioning immediately; Loss of steering control at driving speeds; Occurred 4 times for one owner, including near-collision incident
Repairs/costs cited: No repair noted; owner identified design flaw as root cause
Gas Tank Strap Corrosion and Failure
Gas tank retention straps rust through and fail, allowing tank to become loose and hang from vehicle. Two of three straps completely missing; third strap broken and rusted through. Loose metal creates sparks and poses risk of tank puncture or separation.
When: Timing not specified; discovered during random inspection when loose metal noticed
Symptoms owners cite: Loose metal hanging from undercarriage; Sparks shooting from rear of vehicle; Two of three tank straps completely gone; Third strap broken and severely rusted
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; owner reports dealership cost exceeds vehicle value. Owner found this to be common across Jeep line.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not a recall issue according to owner investigation
Cabin Water Intrusion via Pillar Seals
Water enters cabin through front driver and passenger A-pillars during rain. Dealer initially unable to reproduce issue, then replaced moonroof gutters/drains on both sides without resolving the core leak. Subsequent water damage caused electronic component malfunctions throughout cabin.
When: First occurrence October 2007, months after September 2007 purchase; recurring with each rain event
Symptoms owners cite: Cabin flooding during rain; Water entry at front A-pillars; Interior dome lights malfunctioning post-flooding; Automatic headlamps intermittent; Wiper function intermittent; Electrical components failing in dash, headliner, console, doors
Repairs/costs cited: Moonroof gutters/drains replaced on both driver and passenger sides; electronics damage not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Petition filed under California Lemon Laws; no response as of complaint date
Sunroof Drain Clogging
Sunroof drain tubes clog repeatedly, causing water to back up into cabin. Owner reports drains clogged despite careful vehicle maintenance including parking in garage and avoiding trees. Drains require professional cleaning multiple times.
When: First cleaning within 14 months of ownership; second at additional cost of $500
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking into cabin; Flooded floorboards during rain; Moldy carpet from standing water; Repeated drain clogging in short timeframes
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof drains cleaned at cost of $500 each service; no warranty on work due to no actual part failure
Door Seal Water Leakage
Water enters cabin during rain through door seals, primarily affecting front driver and passenger areas. Glass facility ruled out sunroof clogging as cause. Door seal integrity compromised, allowing water penetration.
When: Every rain event; reported at 40,000–45,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Water flooding front of vehicle during rain; Dome light on interior door comes on after rain; Electrical concern from moisture exposure
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; owner concerned about electrical hazard
Upper Window Handle Screw Hole Leakage
Water leaks through screw holes in upper window handles on driver and passenger sides during rain. Design allows moisture ingress at fastener penetration points.
When: During rain events
Symptoms owners cite: Water leaking through window handle screw holes; Water entry into cabin during rain
A-Pillar Sunroof Leakage
Water leaks from A-pillar area during heavy rain, dripping directly onto driver, floor, and dashboard instruments. Associated with electric sunroof installation.
When: During heavy rain events
Symptoms owners cite: Water dripping from A-pillar onto driver; Water pooling on floor; Dashboard instruments exposed to moisture; Occurs during heavy rain only
Rear Door Handle Failure
Both rear interior door handles become inoperable. Rear doors cannot be opened from inside; must be opened from outside only. Failure is not due to overuse.
When: Not specified; rear seats rarely used
Symptoms owners cite: Both rear interior door handles inoperable; Cannot open rear doors from inside cabin; Rear doors operable only from outside
Unexpected Engine Shutdown at Highway Speed
Engine shuts off without warning while driving at 65 mph, causing loss of control and collision. Vehicle will not restart; no electrical anomalies present. Cause unknown but presents immediate safety hazard.
When: Single incident at 65 mph; no prior notice
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning at highway speed; Vehicle loses control and hits side truck; Engine will not crank or restart; Headlights and electrical systems normal
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required towing; repair status unknown
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had body trouble with your 2007 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 body problem on the 2007 Jeep Commander?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,500.
At what mileage does the body typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most body failures cluster between 7,200 and 134,000 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,200; a quarter make it past 134,000. 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 $1,500 for body 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 body?
No active recalls currently cover body 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/2007/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.