2007 Jeep Commander cruise control problems
moderate 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Commander has a pattern of severe drivability faults that endanger occupants and other drivers. Most commonly, the vehicle enters a limp mode displaying a "SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM" error with all gear selector lights illuminated, then refuses to accelerate beyond idle or 40 mph—sometimes only for 10–20 seconds, but recurring daily or multiple times per week. This happens when shifting from park into drive or while driving, and temporarily resets by turning the vehicle off and back on. At least one owner reported this caused a rear-end collision.
Separately, owners report unintended acceleration at stop lights or while idling—engine RPMs spike and the vehicle lurches forward even with the brake applied, sometimes requiring the emergency brake to stop it. Another pattern involves sudden engine stalling during highway acceleration or merging, leaving the driver with no power and unable to accelerate even in neutral. Transmission speed sensor replacement did not fix this for one owner.
Cruise control disengages when temperature exceeds 50 degrees or the AC runs, triggering ABS/ESP/BAS lights. When re-engaged, the vehicle downshifts abruptly and accelerates to 80 mph uncontrollably. One owner also reports an accelerator that stuck, preventing brake application.
Dealers have taken vehicles in 3–12+ times for the same faults and cannot diagnose or repair them because they cannot replicate the problem. One prior recall existed for the limp-mode issue but did not cover all vehicles.
Same Jeep Commander cruise control reports on nearby years: 2006
Failure modes owners describe
Limp mode and loss of acceleration with PRND lights illuminated
Vehicle enters limp mode with all gear selector lights on the dash illuminated, accompanied by 'SERVICE PARK ASSIST SYSTEM' error message. Engine will not accelerate beyond idle or 40 mph regardless of throttle input. Typically occurs when shifting from park to drive or while driving. Can last 10-20 seconds per episode but recurring intermittently or daily. Shifting to neutral and back to park or turning vehicle off and on may clear the fault temporarily.
When: Reported from 12,000 miles through 78,000+ miles; most common on cold morning startups or during highway driving; one owner reported daily recurrence
Symptoms owners cite: All PRND gear selector lights illuminated on dash; Service park assist system error message displayed; No acceleration response to throttle input; Vehicle limited to 20-40 mph maximum; Hard shifting with high RPMs; Check engine light may appear after repeated episodes; Bucking or jerking during acceleration attempts
Codes mentioned: U0404
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership has replaced shifter bezel assembly on some vehicles under warranty without permanent fix. One owner cited $1,000+ cost for unknown part. Transmission replacement ($6,000+ implied) did not resolve the issue for one owner. Most dealers unable to replicate fault and therefore unable to diagnose or repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership service and warranty repairs attempted in some cases but unsuccessful; manufacturer called by at least one owner with no solution offered; prior recall issued for this problem but did not cover all affected vehicles
Unintended acceleration with brake failure
Engine RPMs rapidly increase and vehicle surges or accelerates forward without driver input, typically while idling or stopped with foot on brake. Occurs whether vehicle is in park or drive. Brake pedal application does not stop vehicle in at least one reported case; owner had to engage emergency brake. Episodes recur intermittently over vehicle ownership.
When: Reported at 40,000 to 78,000+ miles; occurs at idle and at stops
Symptoms owners cite: Unintended acceleration while stopped or idling; RPMs rapidly increase; Vehicle surges or jerks forward; Brake pedal ineffective at stopping vehicle in at least one case; Occurs whether in park or drive gear
Repairs/costs cited: At least one vehicle taken to dealership over 12 times without successful repair; independent shop diagnosis attempted but incomplete
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer consulted in at least one case but unable to advise dealer on repair; no recall identified by owners for this specific issue
Engine stalling and loss of power during acceleration
Engine stalls while accelerating or cruising, especially during highway on-ramps or at speeds above 30 mph. Vehicle loses all power response and may not rev when shifted to neutral. Check engine light may come on but sometimes with no stored codes. Vehicle restarts but problem recurs within short distances. Some owners report tapping out at 45 mph with floor throttle producing no RPM increase.
When: Reported at 40,000 to 78,000+ miles; commonly occurs on highway or during acceleration/merging
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls during acceleration or cruising; Loss of engine response to throttle; Engine will not rev even in neutral; Check engine light may appear (sometimes without codes); Vehicle tapers out at 40-45 mph; Foot to floor does not increase RPMs
Repairs/costs cited: Transmission speed sensor replacement ($200-300 range implied) did not resolve problem in at least one case; problem existed before and after sensor replacement
Cruise control malfunction with warning lights
Cruise control disengages or fails to engage during highway driving. When re-engagement occurs, vehicle may shift down to lower gears and suddenly accelerate to around 80 mph. Additionally, when ambient temperature exceeds 50 degrees or air conditioning runs, cruise control will shut off and ABS/ESP/BAS warning lights illuminate. Cruise control will not function until vehicle is restarted or warning lights reset.
When: Reported at high mileage; temperature-dependent (above 50 degrees or with AC running); occurs during highway driving at 55-65 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control disengages or fails to engage; ABS, ESP, BAS, and stability control warning lights illuminate; Re-engagement of cruise control causes sudden downshift and acceleration to 80 mph; Cruise control inoperative until vehicle restart; Hard shifting with elevated RPMs after cruise control engagement
Engine stalling while idling and abnormal idle RPM fluctuation
Vehicle stalls while in neutral during automatic car wash or while idling. RPMs fluctuate erratically between 500 and 1500 RPMs. Check engine and ESP/BAS lights may illuminate. Engine may struggle to maintain idle speed. Problem appears intermittent and may clear after stopping and restarting.
When: Reported at highway mileage; one event in automatic car wash while in neutral
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls while idling in neutral; Erratic RPM fluctuation (500-1500 RPM range); Check engine light illuminates; ESP/BAS warning light illuminates; Engine struggles to maintain idle
Accelerator pedal sticking or stuck throttle
Accelerator pedal becomes stuck in the depressed position, causing unintended acceleration. Vehicle continues to accelerate even though driver has released throttle. Brake pedal does not stop the vehicle in the reported case. Driver had to shift to park while moving to stop vehicle. Issue occurred from complete stop during right turn acceleration.
When: At least one event reported; full mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator stuck in depressed position; Unintended acceleration continues despite releasing pedal; Brake ineffective at stopping vehicle; Vehicle accelerates beyond driver's intended speed
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Common questions
How serious is the cruise control problem on the 2007 Jeep Commander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 18 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $600 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 40,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 71,382. A quarter of owners report trouble before 40,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.