Owners describe a pattern of intermittent electrical gremlins that Chrysler has tried to address through recalls but apparently without lasting success. The most serious complaint: the engine stalls unexpectedly while driving, sometimes at 60+ mph. When it happens, power steering and brakes go out, creating a genuine hazard. Owners shift to neutral, restart, and get going again—but it recurs dozens of times on some vehicles.
Separately, the wireless ignition module or ignition switch fails in ways that strand vehicles: keys get stuck in the ignition, the vehicle won't start despite a good battery, or the dashboard lights flash and kill everything for hours at a time. Chrysler issued recall 14V567000 in late 2014 but parts remained unavailable well into 2015 and beyond, leaving owners without wheels while waiting.
Water leaks through the sunroof drainage system onto the floorboards, and dealers routinely say they cannot replicate stalling issues in the shop, even though the customer can reproduce them in traffic. Multiple repair attempts (O2 sensors, ignition switches, control modules) fail to stick. No dealer has given owners a definitive root cause, and some admit they're stumped. The frustration is genuine: owners have spent thousands on diagnostics and repairs only to have the same failures return within weeks or days.
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent complete electrical system shutdown with dashboard warning light flashing
Dashboard warning lights flash on, then all electrical systems fail—speedometer, gauges, turn signals, lights, wipers, radio, accessories. Everything resets after the vehicle is parked and restarted after several hours. In later stages, permanent radio speaker failure and static noise occur despite radio being off. Frequency escalated from once every 3-4 months to once or twice weekly. Vehicle has stalled while in traffic, causing loss of steering and braking temporarily.
When: Recurring since 2008; frequency increased sharply by 7/2011; stalling incidents in traffic by 7/2011
Symptoms owners cite: All dashboard warning lights flash simultaneously; Loss of speedometer and instrument gauges; Turn signals inoperative; Headlights and interior lights fail; Windshield wipers stop working; Radio and speakers fail; static noise from speakers when radio is off; All accessories lose power; Engine stalls while driving; Vehicle requires park and restart to restore power
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership stated system would 'reset itself' without intervention. No permanent repair offered. Consumer refused diagnostic fee.
Engine stalling at varying speeds with loss of power steering and brakes
Engine cuts out unexpectedly while driving at highway speeds (40-70 mph) or while stopped at traffic lights. Loss of power steering makes vehicle difficult to control. Vehicle restarts after shifting to neutral or by cycling ignition key off and back on. Occurs 30+ times in some cases. Dealers cannot replicate the issue during diagnostic. Ignition switch replacement (per recall) does not resolve problem. Some mechanics report dash lights do not illuminate normally when stalling occurs—different from typical shut-off behavior. Front control module failure suspected but not confirmed on all vehicles.
When: Recurring from 2008 onward; frequency variable, from occasional to multiple times daily; some cases ongoing without resolution
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls without warning while driving; Engine stalls while stopped at traffic lights or in park; Loss of power steering upon stall; Loss of power brakes upon stall; Difficulty restarting—requires multiple attempts or key cycling; RPM gauge drops below 0.5 or shows unusual readings; Engine revs unexpectedly while at brake or idle; Vehicle shakes and vibrates during stall events; Dash lights do not illuminate as expected when vehicle shuts off; Vehicle may restart after brief delay
Repairs/costs cited: Wireless ignition switch replaced; purge valve/solenoid replaced; ignition switch replaced per recall 14V567000; no lasting resolution reported. Multiple mechanics unable to diagnose root cause; computer diagnostics show 'running' even when vehicle has shut off. Suspected causes include ignition switch, wireless ignition module (WIN), front control module (FCM), and camshaft position sensor.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall 08V059000 (electrical system) applied to only 1338 vehicles; many affected vehicles excluded. Recall 14V567000 (ignition switch/wireless ignition module) issued November 2014; parts unavailable for extended period. Dealers advised to remove heavy key chains from ignition key as temporary measure.
Wireless ignition module (WIN) or ignition switch failure—key FOB gets stuck in ignition
Key or key FOB becomes stuck in ignition and will not release. Ignition key cannot be turned fully to OFF position or turns off but power remains on. Consumer trapped with vehicle unable to start or shift out of park. Key release requires battery disconnection. Vehicle may not start after key is released. Some consumers report receiving recall notice (P57 or 14V567000) but parts remain unavailable for extended periods (months to years).
When: Intermittent, occurring weeks to months after purchase; escalating in 2014-2015 period for many consumers
Symptoms owners cite: Key FOB stuck in ignition; cannot be removed; Ignition key will not turn fully OFF or stays between positions; Ignition key makes clicking noise; Doors lock and vehicle cannot shift out of park; Battery drains rapidly with key stuck and power on; Vehicle refuses to start after key is freed; Diagnostic message: 'Key damaged' or 'Wrong key' or 'Key not programmed'; Only headlights functional while key stuck
Repairs/costs cited: Wireless ignition module (WIN) replaced; ignition switch replaced; battery disconnected to release stuck key; parts cost $600+ when available. Many consumers report dealer initially misdiagnosed as key FOB needing replacement before discovering WIN failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall P57 (14V567000) issued November 2014 addressing ignition issues; however, parts unavailable for months to years. Chrysler and dealers offered rental cars at dealership discount while awaiting parts; some dealers refused to provide rentals. No reimbursement for towing or repairs at consumer expense while waiting for recall parts.
Vehicle fails to start intermittently; battery and charging system check normal
Vehicle will not turn over despite functional battery, alternator, and all electrical indicators (lights, locks, windows) working normally. May start after multiple attempts, delay of several minutes, jump-start, or trying spare key. Failure occurs intermittently—sometimes vehicle sits fine for weeks then fails without warning. No diagnostic trouble codes appear. Mechanics replace battery, starter, relays, fuses, and other components without finding root cause or resolving issue. Solenoid corrosion suspected on some vehicles.
When: Intermittent throughout ownership; ranging from once every few weeks to multiple failures within days
Symptoms owners cite: No cranking sound when ignition turned; No clicking from starter solenoid; All electrical accessories functional (lights, locks, radio); Vehicle starts after delay, multiple attempts, or jump-start; Starts reliably on second attempt or with spare key; No warning lights or diagnostic codes stored
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replaced (sometimes multiple times within warranty period); starter replaced; relays and fuses replaced; solenoid wire corrosion suspected; alternator checked and found functional. Owners report replacing multiple components without resolving issue; some shops admit inability to diagnose.
Electrical system losses—specific light, wiper, horn, and accessory failures
Individual electrical components fail intermittently or permanently: blinkers and dash lights inoperative, windshield wipers quit, horn fails or requires excessive force to operate, windows inoperative, door locks fail, sunroof becomes inoperable, rear park assist stops working. Some failures are intermittent (components work sporadically); others are permanent. Water intrusion through sunroof or door seals is reported in several cases and appears to correlate with electrical failures. Multi-function switch and control module repairs do not prevent recurrence.
When: Intermittent to permanent; occurring throughout vehicle ownership; water-related failures often tied to heavy rain events
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signals (blinkers) inoperative; Dash lights fail or flicker; Windshield wipers inoperative; Horn fails or requires excessive force; Power windows inoperative (one or all); Door locks inoperative or lock unexpectedly; Sunroof inoperative; Rear park assist inoperative; Interior lights flicker or fail; Radio loses power intermittently; Water pooling on driver or passenger floor after heavy rain
Repairs/costs cited: Multi-function switch replaced ($240 per one case); control module replaced or reprogrammed under warranty in early cases; sunroof seal replaced. Temporary electrical function loss (24 hours to 5 days) in some cases; permanent loss of individual components in others.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall noticed issued for key FOB update (2010 case); some repairs covered under factory warranty; others refused as 'not part of recall' per dealership.
Fuel system and engine sensor issues causing stalling and reduced power
Vehicle stalls and hesitates, particularly at highway speeds (50-60 mph+). Strong smell of fuel present. Check engine light comes on and may flash. O2 sensors replaced without permanent resolution. Vehicle becomes bogged down, shakes violently, and will not exceed 40 mph in some cases. Camshaft position sensor suspected as root cause on at least one vehicle. Purge valve or solenoid replaced on another vehicle without lasting effect.
When: Occurring weeks to months after water damage to dashboard (sunroof leak case); recurring after repairs
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving at highway speeds; Strong fuel smell from vehicle; Check engine light illuminates and/or flashes; Engine hesitation and loss of power at 50-60 mph; Vehicle shakes and vibrates during acceleration; Cannot accelerate above 40 mph in some cases; Engine bogged down feeling
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (specific codes not listed in narratives)
Repairs/costs cited: O2 sensor replaced (sometimes twice); purge valve/solenoid replaced; throttle body and fuel system service suggested; camshaft position sensor replacement performed in at least one case. Check engine light returns after sensor replacement, suggesting unresolved root cause.
Total Integrated Power Module (TIPM) suspected but not confirmed as root cause of multiple electrical failures
One consumer reports TIPM is suspected as the source of cascading electrical and mechanical failures on their 2008 Commander with 5.7L Hemi. Consumer notes everything mechanical and electrical has been replaced in attempts to resolve intermittent issues. TIPM suspected as next replacement. This narrative suggests TIPM may be a chronic failure point but does not provide confirmed diagnostic or repair details.
When: Ongoing throughout ownership; issue suspected but not yet repaired
Symptoms owners cite: Intermittent electrical failures affecting multiple systems; Intermittent mechanical issues
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple electrical and mechanical components replaced without resolving cascading failures; TIPM replacement planned but not yet performed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer denial of known TIPM issue suspected by consumer; denial cited as cost-avoidance strategy.
Water intrusion through sunroof drainage system and door seals
Water leaks into vehicle interior through sunroof tray drainage or driver-side pillar during or after heavy rain. Water accumulates on driver-side or passenger-side floorboards, soaking carpets. Issue recurring over multiple years (reported in 8-year span for one owner). Water intrusion correlates with electrical failures in at least one case (sunroof leak led to dashboard short-out and radio failure). Consumer reports finding multiple YouTube videos of 2008 Jeep Commander owners with identical sunroof leak issue, suggesting widespread design defect.
When: Recurring during and after heavy rain events; ongoing from first year of ownership in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Water pooling on driver or passenger floorboard; Water coming down driver-side pillar near windshield; Floor mats soaked from rain entering vehicle; Water entry during heavy rain despite windows closed
Repairs/costs cited: Sunroof seal replaced in one case; no permanent resolution achieved. Consumer reports finding class action suit for sunroof issues but only covering 2009+ models, not their 2008.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls identified for 2008 model sunroof drainage design. Consumer reports class action exists for later model years but not their VIN.
Synthesized from 238 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.