We have major leaks in both side rails right above the dash board. We noticed the leaks a couple of days after our car was delivered. It rains a lot in alaska, so basically our car leaks about everyday! We had taken our vehicle into two different dealers and one dealer said he could not find where the leak is coming from and the other dealer said to bring it back in the summer because it is…
2007 Jeep Commander steering problems
severe 45 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
45
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
4crashes
1injury
What stands out
Owners have filed 45 steering 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.
Among the 5 model years of Jeep Commander in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2007 Jeep Commander shows a pattern of sudden, complete engine shutdown while driving at speeds ranging from 15 to 75 mph. When it happens, owners lose all electrical power—dash lights flash on and off rapidly as if the ignition key is being cycled. More critically, power steering locks up and power brakes fail, leaving drivers unable to steer or brake effectively. Most owners say the vehicle restarts normally after a few seconds to several minutes, but the unpredictability is the core problem.
This isn't a scattered issue—some owners report it happens once a month, others 4–50+ times over a few years. Owners have taken their Commanders to dealerships multiple times; mechanics have tried replacing the shift module, upgrading transmission fluid, and swapping the automatic shutdown relay, but the stalling persists. Dealers admit they can't replicate the failure during test drives because it's so erratic.
Chrysler issued recalls (P41 and NHTSA Campaign 14V438000) blaming the ignition switch, and mailed notices to owners. However, multiple owners report the replacement part was unavailable for over a year after receiving recall letters—some waited from 2014 into 2015 and beyond. One owner was told to wait until Chrysler mailed notice when parts arrived; that notice never came. Dealerships repeatedly told owners the vehicles were safe to drive while they waited, despite the real-world danger of losing steering and brakes at highway speed.
Several owners have been in crashes or near-accidents because of stalling on busy roads. Airbags failed to deploy in at least one collision when electrical power was lost.
Same Jeep Commander steering reports on nearby years: 2006 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling with total electrical failure
Engine shuts off completely while driving, causing loss of all power including instrument panel, tachometer, and dashboard lights. Typically lasts a few seconds to several minutes before restart. Occurs at various speeds (20–75 mph) and driving conditions without warning. Check engine light may or may not illuminate before or during the event.
When: Reported from 2,500 miles to 155,000 miles; some owners report incidents occurring approximately every 6 months, while others experience 4–50+ stalls over 2–7 years of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off without warning while driving; All dash lights and tachometer flash repeatedly or dim completely; Check engine light comes on (not always); Vehicle makes 'huffing puffing' noise before shutting off; Loud squeaky sound when restarting; Vehicle restarts immediately or after 5–15 minutes
Codes mentioned: Large vacuum leak code mentioned in one narrative, PE14017
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership diagnostics have been inconclusive; multiple repair attempts reported including shift module replacement, ECM software upgrade, transmission fluid level check, and automatic shut down relay replacement. One owner received $2,000 (two lease payments) as compensation but problem unresolved. Dealers unable to replicate stalling during road tests.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chrysler recall P41 and NHTSA Campaign 14V438000 (Electrical System) issued for ignition switch defect. Recall notices mailed to owners. Chrysler Recall Assistance Center and dealerships advised owners to remove extra keys from key ring and wait for part availability. Parts reported unavailable for extended periods (some owners waiting over 1 year). One owner mentioned recall case opened January with promise of repair 'when part becomes available' with no follow-up.
Power steering failure and steering wheel lock-up
Steering wheel becomes difficult to turn or locks completely, preventing normal vehicle control. Often occurs simultaneously with engine stalling. Steering may recover after engine restart or remain locked until vehicle is turned off and restarted.
When: Reported at low speeds (15–30 mph) and highway speeds (35–75 mph); occurs at 700 miles to 155,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel becomes hard to turn or immobilized mid-turn; Loss of power steering control; Steering wheel locked in middle of vehicle path; Steering becomes unresponsive to driver input; Dashboard dims or all lights flash when steering failure occurs
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have recommended or replaced: steering pump, steering rack and pinion, power steering assist unit, power steering pump. One independent mechanic replaced ignition switch. One owner with 2,500 miles had vehicle in shop 30+ days with no diagnosis. New vehicle with 700 miles experienced steering failure with earliest dealer appointment 15 days out.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Included in NHTSA Campaign 14V438000 (Electrical System). Parts unavailable for extended periods preventing recall repairs.
Loss of power brakes
Brake system loses all assist pressure, requiring manual effort to stop vehicle. Typically occurs simultaneously with engine stall or power loss. Brakes fail to respond or respond with severe delay.
When: Occurs during engine stalling events at various speeds and mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Brakes fail to respond or respond with significant delay; Loss of power brake assist; Brake pedal becomes extremely hard to push; Complete brake system failure requiring emergency braking techniques (coasting in neutral, pulling emergency brake)
Repairs/costs cited: Not explicitly repaired as standalone issue; tied to engine/ignition system correction
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Covered under NHTSA Campaign 14V438000 recall notice
Airbag non-deployment and loss of safety features
Airbags fail to deploy during crashes when electrical power is lost. Windows and door locks lose power, potentially trapping occupants. Headlights and other safety features become inoperative during electrical failure events.
When: Occurred during crash events when vehicle experienced power loss at 25–65 mph; approximately 46,000 miles in one case
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags do not deploy during frontal collision; Power windows inoperative; Power door locks inoperative; Headlights inoperative; Occupants potentially trapped in vehicle after crash
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; crash impact unmitigated by failed airbags
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to NHTSA Campaign 14V438000 (Electrical System) which addresses loss of power affecting airbag function
Ignition switch unintended movement
Ignition switch moves to unintended position while driving, cutting engine power and disabling power steering and braking. Some owners report switch won't allow engine to start despite charged battery.
When: Reported across model years; one case with 60,000 miles mentioned multiple near-miss accidents
Symptoms owners cite: Ignition switch position changes unintentionally while driving; Engine power loss as result of switch movement; Inability to start vehicle despite good battery; All power dead in vehicle despite new battery; Dashboard lights flashing as if key being turned off and on repeatedly
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic replaced ignition switch with success in one case. Dealership replacements pending recall part availability.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Primary focus of NHTSA Campaign 14V438000 and recall P41. Chrysler letter dated June 2014 (case PE14017) stated defect identified and local distributor would remedy without charge within 'reasonable time.' Parts unavailable for extended periods (some owners waiting since 2014 into 2015 and beyond with no resolution).
Power loss and instrumentation malfunction
Complete electrical power loss affecting instrument panel, lighting, and drive systems. Dashboard lights flash on and off in sequence as if ignition key is being cycled repeatedly.
When: Occurs at various speeds and mileages; one owner reported occurrence every 6 months approximately
Symptoms owners cite: All dash lights, tachometer, hazards, warning lights and performance indicators flash rapidly; Instrument panel dims or goes completely dark; All gears on dash light up (P, R, N, D all illuminated simultaneously); Complete loss of electrical power to entire vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers unable to diagnose during normal testing; PCM replacement attempted in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Addressed under NHTSA Campaign 14V438000
Rack and pinion fluid leak
Steering rack and pinion assembly leaks power steering fluid from underneath vehicle, visible when parked.
When: Detected at 57,000 miles and early in ownership (complaint filed shortly after purchase)
Symptoms owners cite: Fluid pooling under vehicle from rack and pinion area; Leak occurs continuously during rainy weather in one case
Repairs/costs cited: Required replacement of rack and pinion, power steering assist unit, and power steering pump
Steering stopper damage (mechanical steering limit)
Metal stopper plate that prevents steering wheel from turning too far left or right gets struck by flat metal plate underneath vehicle, creating deep gash in stopper.
When: Occurred early in ownership at 19,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Flat metal plate underneath vehicle striking against steering stopper; Deep gash on curved metal stopper plate; Occurs without warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer attributed to faulty design; recommended diagnostic testing; repair status unknown
Front right ball joint failure
Lower control arm ball joint fails, causing lower control arm to pivot downward with wheel still attached.
When: While coming to a stop
Symptoms owners cite: Front right ball joint separates; Lower control arm pivots downward; Vehicle rests on wheel facing downward
Synthesized from 45 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2007 Jeep Commander?
It's a meaningful issue. 45 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 36 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 59,000 and 109,000 miles, with the median around 80,007. A quarter of owners report trouble before 59,000; a quarter make it past 109,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.