Stalling while driving
2010 Jeep Commander engine problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
2fires
When does it fail?
Of the 15 engine complaints filed for the 2010 Jeep Commander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 125,000-150,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Engine accounts for 33% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 8 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: 2010 Jeep Commanders with the 5.7L Hemi are reporting unexplained engine stalls at stops, timing chain failures, and other critical engine failures that dealers cannot diagnose or fix. These are safety hazards on busy roads with no reliable remedy available.
Owners report the 2010 Jeep Commander's engine dies without warning at complete stops—red lights, stop signs, pulling away from stops—with no check engine light or noise. The car restarts fine, but stalls keep happening. Authorized dealers can't reproduce it or figure out what's wrong, even after replacing the TIPM (power module) and reflashing the computer. One owner had three stalls confirmed; another reported stalls for years with no resolution. Dealers refuse to log complaints if there's no diagnostic code.
The 5.7L Hemi engines are timing chain failures that happen with zero warning and wreck the engine. One owner meticulously maintained his vehicle with all services on time—still failed. Another had it quit on him at 25 mph; yet another stranded at 100,000 miles. Owners found that Chrysler recalled the same Hemi engine in Challengers, Chargers, and 300s but excluded the Commander despite using identical engines from the same period. Chrysler told one owner there weren't enough complaints to justify a recall.
Less common but documented: throttle stuck open on the highway, compression failure in two cylinders with no prior warning, and one engine fire during startup attempts. The recurring thread is that problems either don't trigger check engine lights or can't be diagnosed by the dealer network.
Same Jeep Commander engine reports on nearby years: 2007 · 2008
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalls at stops without warning
Engine dies unexpectedly when vehicle comes to complete stops—at traffic lights, stop signs, while braking—with no warning lights or sounds. Restart typically successful. Dealers unable to reproduce or diagnose; TIPM replacement and reflashing sometimes attempted but stalls continue.
When: Occurs at stops; some reports note it can happen after highway driving. One report at 24,000 miles; others unspecified mileage.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off completely at stops with no warning; Dies while foot on brake at red lights or stop signs; Dies after accelerating from stopped position; Dies while turning corner after stopping; No check engine light or warning indicators; Restart successful after pushing to neutral or turning key
Repairs/costs cited: TIPM (Totally Integrated Power Module) replaced; engine reflashed; power module replaced; spark plugs and ignition coils replaced in some cases—failures continued despite repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Authorized dealers unable to pinpoint problem or reproduce issue. Chrysler engineers contacted in at least one case but offered no guidance. Dealerships refused to log complaints without diagnostic codes present.
Timing chain failure
Timing chain broke without warning, causing catastrophic engine damage. Occurred on 5.7L Hemi engines. Owner reports Chrysler issued recalls on this engine in Challengers, Chargers, and 300s but excluded Jeep Commanders despite same engine and timeframe. No recalls issued for Commander.
When: One report at 100,000 miles; most mileage unspecified. One owner states meticulously maintained with all services on time.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine dies suddenly with no warning; Vehicle stranded on roadside; Engine failure with loss of all power; No warning lights or engine noise prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Catastrophic engine damage requiring full engine replacement. One owner left paying out-of-pocket for new motor while still financing original vehicle.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued for Jeep Commander despite same 5.7L Hemi engine being recalled in Challengers, Chargers, and 300s. Manufacturer stated insufficient complaints to warrant recall.
Throttle stuck open during acceleration
Throttle became stuck during acceleration, causing vehicle to increase speed uncontrollably without pedal input. Braking and downshifting did not slow vehicle initially. Condition eventually ceased on its own.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without pedal input; Speed increases despite brake application; RPM increases despite brake and downshift; Condition occurred on busy highway
Compression failure in cylinders
Engine failed at major intersection with 0 psi compression in cylinders 2 and 4. No check engine lights present until brief blinking immediately before failure.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Engine fails while driving at intersection; Loss of all engine power; Brief check engine light blinking before failure; No prior warning signs
Engine fire
Fire erupted from engine bay during startup attempts. Wife attempted to start vehicle three times, then noticed abnormal fumes and was alerted to flames on passenger side of engine. Fire department extinguished flames. No injuries.
When: At 100,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal fumes detected; Flames coming from under vehicle on passenger side; Fire during startup attempts
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer and manufacturer not notified of failure.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
I just purchased a used 2010 Jeep commander limited with 5.7 hemi from philpot motors and brought it home june 25th, 2012. On friday, june 29th on my way home the engine completely shut off twice within 10 minutes. Both times it was as I was coming to a complete stop. I had to put it in park and turn the key and it started right back up like nothing was wrong. Philpot had it brought to an…
The engine failed while driving at major intersection. Multiple individuals had to assist and avoid causing an accident. After a week at diagnostic Jeep service department, techs determined compression failure in cylinders 2 and 4 with 0 psi. There no codes or check engine lights other than a brief blinking right before failure.
Timing chain broke on motor causing catastrophic damage to the v8 hemi. Recalls on other vehicles with this motor but Chrysler says not enough people have complained to cause recall on Jeep. Stupid answer. Problem is not the vehicle motor is in its the motor. Jeep was still financed so had to pay out of pocket for a new motor while still paying for the Jeep.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Jeep commander. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled while driving at various speeds and upon starting. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer and they were unable to diagnose the failure. A power module, spark plugs, and ignition coils were replaced. The failure continued. The manufacturer was notified and the contact was awaiting a reply. The failure…
" takata recall" I am the original owner of a 2010 Jeep commander. Unfortunately, this past week the timing chain broke and left me stranded on the side of the road. Thank goodness it was not during rush hour. There was no warning and could have caused an accident. Let me start by stating that this Jeep has been meticulously cared for from day 1 and every recommended service and oil change…
Engine stalled at stop signs, Daughter was driving the vehicle and engine stalled at an intersection. Not able to restart it. Vehicle was pushed to the side. I went to assist her and after many tries the engine restarted, I started to drive and the engine will stall as n DC shutdown at all stop signs/ traffic lights. I managed to drive it to the Jeep dealer shifting into neutral and pressing…
Had engine trouble with your 2010 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 engine problem on the 2010 Jeep Commander?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 56,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 93,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 56,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2010/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.