Should I buy a 2008 Jeep Commander with documented electrical problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented electrical issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2008 Jeep Commander electrical problems

moderate 238 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850

Complaints

238

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$850

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 14V567000 17/09/2014

Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2008 Chrysler 300 vehicles manufactured May 31, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Magnum vehicles manufactured May 23, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Dodge Charger vehicles manufactured May 24, 2007, to May 12, 2008, Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured April 3, 2007, to May 12, 2008, and Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured March 21, 2007, to May 12, 2008

If the ignition stays between "START" and "ON" positions it could cause loss of certain electrical functions. If the ignition key inadvertently moves into the "OFF" or "ACCESSORY" position, the engine will turn off, which will then depower various key safety systems including but not limited to air bags, power steering, and power braking. Loss of functionality of these systems may increase the risk of crash and/or increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the ignition switch and key FOBs, free of charge. The recall began August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is P57.

severe NHTSA 08V059000 06/02/2008

CHRYSLER IS RECALLING 1,338 MY 2008 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE AND COMMANDER VEHICLES

THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING OR NOT TO START AND/OR CAUSE THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE. ENGINE STALLING OR INOPERATIVE WIPERS COULD CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 18, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.

What owners are reporting 12 most recent

electrical · filed 12/31/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V537000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…

electrical · filed 12/28/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V567000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED WAS UNAVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

electrical · filed 12/28/2014

I BOUGHT MY 2008 JEEP COMMANDER 4X4 WITH V8 4.7L, QUADRA TRACK II ON 8/1/2013. ATP I WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL ON ______________. I SERVICE APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AND THE CARE WAS REPAIRED. I SOON CALLED THE REPAIR SHOP BACK AND COMPLAINED OF THE AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON INTERMITTENTLY, 4X4 SERVICE LIGHT AND PARKING AND BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO WORKING INTERMITTENTLY. I WAS TOLD THAT THESE ISSUES WERE NOT P…

electrical · filed 12/25/2019

THE POWER LOCKS MAKE A HORRIBLE NOISE I I BELIEVE IT IS THE ACTIVATOR

electrical · filed 12/25/2019

THE VEHICLE DOOR LOCKS MAKE S LOUD BUZZING NOISE. I BELIEVE ITS THE ACTIVATOR. THIS WAS NOTICED RECENTLY.

electrical · filed 12/23/2015

2008 JEEP COMMANDER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO IGNITION SWITCH RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT START. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS A DIAGNOSTIC MESSAGE DISPLAYED "KEY DAMAGED". THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS HOME, WHERE HE USED THE SPARE KEY FOB, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE DOORS LOCKED AND THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO…

electrical · filed 12/22/2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMMANDER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY FOB FAILED TO START THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIN MODULE AND THE IGNITION SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIE…

electrical · filed 12/19/2018

I BOUGHT MY VEHICLE AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND DIDN'T KNOW THAT IT LEAKED INTO THE CABIN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FOOT WELL BECAUSE OF THE DRAIN TUBES FOR THE SUNROOF. I TOOK IT IN THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED BUT THE VERY NEXT TIME IT RAINED IT WAS SOAKED AGAIN AND BY THEN I FOUND OUT WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON WITH THE VEHICLE. IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T WANT TO BE A GOOD CONSUMER AND NOT MAKE ANY WAVES, BUT I DO…

electrical · filed 12/17/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 JEEP COMMANDER 4X4. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:14V567000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A RE…

electrical · filed 12/11/2014

CHRYSLER HAS A RECALL OUT FOR FAULTY IGNITION SWITCHES. THE RECALL NOTICES WERE ISSUED IN SEPT 2014. IT IS NOW MID DEC AND THERE ARE NO PARTS AND NO REMEDY FOR THIS WHEN IN CONTACT WITH CHRYSLER DIRECTLY. ON THE RECALL IT STATES THAT THE ENGINE CAN STOP DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE W/IN THE VEH WITH OUT NOTICE AS WELL AS THE POWER STEERING CAN BE LOST AND OR THE BRAKING ALL OF WHICH INCREASE YOUR CRA…

Common questions

How serious is the electrical problem on the 2008 Jeep Commander?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 238 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.