2006 Jeep Commander: sudden loss of power

Filed Jun 20, 2025 · Engine · OH

Radiator coolant system failed and caused the engine to overheat and loss of power while traveling on an interstate highway. Pulled over to side of highway. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic shop. The shop evaluated the engine could not start as it had seized from overheating. It was determined that the radiator plastic end caps suddenly failed causing the engine to overheat and seize. The radiator temperature is very high and the plastic and aluminum materials expand and contract at different rates therefore weakening the connection between the two materials until the part fails. This is a bad design, application, and mix of materials in a part that does follow the basic principles of thermodynamics.

Filed Sep 26, 2023 · Engine · 115,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2006 Jeep Commander. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle started losing engine power and then the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after one attempt. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Oct 6, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · 1 miles · PA

While driving the car will shift off for no reason. It appears to be something wrong I have a new battery and don't now why it's losing power.. It cuts off while driving and when I made a turn but also while driving straight . Also the wheels feels like they are wobbly while driving in the front.

Filed Dec 12, 2019 · Engine · 147,500 miles · PA

Check engine light came on. Engine surged rpms and lost all power while driving. I put it in neutral and started it back up. Upon parking, rpms surged again, vehicle tried to pull forward before the rpms dropped and stalled the engine in drive. I checked used my scan tool to check the code and it came back p1521 which is for wrong engine oil. I used royal purple 5w20 in my last oil change. It drove the vehicle for 2098 miles before this incident occurred with no issues in between. I noticed the 4.7 litre had a recall done for the same exact issue and it being a software update for the power control module.

Filed May 10, 2019 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 161,000 miles · AL

The problem started in january 2019. The vehicle started having idling issues, cold start in morning idles around 900, when put in reverse it dips to around 500 and wobbles back and forth while backing up, put in drive and it would be ok but would stall sometimes at stop sign- check engine light never came on. I had throttle body cleaned and fuel system service done and the engine light came on same day. Took it to the dealer for recalls and they replaced throttle body also. It drove ok for a day and I have the unstable idle back and the RPM jumps up while in drive but stopped at a light. About a week ago I am slowing down to stop at a light ahead and it starts vibrating like it is going to stall and the etc and tcs light came on and I shut it off and it cranked right back up and drove it the rest of the day with no issue. Etc light will come on while driving and cause no issues other than the unstable idle. Today-5-10-19, coming home and start to turn left and etc and tcs light come on and it seems like it is in limp mode because there is a loss of power and etc light is now blinking, so I pull in a parking lot, cut it off for five minutes and it cranks right back up with no lights on and I am able to drive 5 miles home.

Filed Feb 8, 2019 · Electrical, Seats · 150,000 miles · NH

All the lights on my dash panel went on & I lost power of the vehicle driving down the road. It came back on then off & on. This has happened several times. My catalytic converter has broken into a few pieces. The dealership said this happens often to these vehicles & believes there is a recall on them. I have had my vehicle 4 1/2 yrs & this is the 2nd time it needs to be replaced. My struts have gone a few times on my 2006 jeep commander. The rear seatbelt in the middle & driver rear don't latch & when they do its really tight on my daughter. Lastly multiple issues with the rear doors both passenger & driver sides. The handles don't work all the time. They have both been fixed 3 different occasions. They open when they feel like it. The child lock is not on.

Filed Aug 30, 2018 · Engine · 135,000 miles · GA

Vehicle stalls randomly, losing power brakes and steering. This is a major safety issue. Unfortunately, there needs to be solid a resolution as people can't spend tons of money on what the issue "might" be and then get back on the road in this death trap to only have it stall again.

Filed Mar 29, 2018 · Acceleration, Transmission · 99,000 miles · OH

While sitting at a stoplight vehicle will not accelerate feels as the loss of power. Vehicle does not want to move then told it's in some sort of safety mode I think the lead frame is failing from what I can tell. Vehicle sitting at a stoplight fails to accelerate barely moves

Filed Mar 27, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 74,000 miles · NV

Jeep commander 2006 limited 5.7 l engine. The complaint is as follows: while driving, at random, slow and medium speeds, all the dashboard lights activate at one time followed by immediate loss of engine power. (at no time did my knee hit the key or ignition cylinder) this issue does not clear up on its own. The only solution to avoid an accident is to immediately put into neutral, pull off the road or highway as quickly as possible. (at this time, the car is sputtering severely or stalls) next step- turn the key to off position, wait a few seconds and re start the vehicle. It starts and runs normally. The loss of power and dash light activation is occurring every other day. Upon my own further investigation, many reports have been logged (with basically the same complaint) on carcomplaints.com, with additional video proof on u tube ( just type in jeep commander dashboard haywire) with several videos of the incident. Chyrsler customer care claims ( as of today) to know nothing about it - told me to call local dealer, local jeep dealer (car was purchased new) was contacted- they claim to now nothing about it. Told both agencies to get off their butt to look at car complaints.com or just view the numerous u tube videos. With this many complaints, I find it surprising that chrysler to not be aware of this issue. I have followed all recalls and had the ignition lock cylinder and reprogram the final drive control module completed many months before problem occurred. Any assistance in resolving this serious safety issue would be greatly appreciated.

Filed Feb 26, 2018 · Driver assistance · 179,000 miles · MI

2006 jeep commander limited 4wd. 179,000 miles. Traction assist is activating while driving straight on dry pavement causing unexpected deceleration power loss. While driving on flat dry paved highway, at approximately 40-45 MPH, the vehicle began to stumble and lose power. The traction control light was blinking during this time. During which time, when I turn off the traction assist via the button, the effect disappeared. No fault codes were stored or set. This issue has just begun to occur periodically and has happened approximately 5 times. Have almost had a crash event occur when trying to merge into traffic, and had to turn off the traction assist via the button on the center console.

Filed Dec 17, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 90,500 miles · NY

My favorite, jeep commander 2006 3.7 v6. 103600 mileage. The car shuts down without warning. This has been happening from last november. I feel like I'm in a death trap because when cars going 60 - 70 MPH on I-495 and car lost power. All I can really do is pray that my family don't get killed. The dealer fixed flipping key problem at the same year of summer because of the recall. This is really not related I believe. It happened 6 times mostly winter season between november through january eastern time last year, and this stalling problem came back last sunday dec 10th, 2017 while driving on northern state parkway to micro center in ny. 3 times already this season. The best way only I found for our safety. Slowly move over on the shoulder finding place to stop while speeding down, and have one chance of stop to break vehicle without power. However, luckily it starts again and runs normal. The dealer, daimler chrysler consumer center. They never care about this issue and keep charging for the service without a solution. My research is on going to find ECM, pcma, and fcm problems. I am scared for my families safety. The car cuts off while driving on highway. Any ideas, please please please please please help us.

Filed Oct 3, 2016 · 145,000 miles · MI

Vehicle stalls for no reason. Usually happens when pulling from my driveway after being parked. After driving for a few hundred yards, to the intersection of the main road. Upon hitting the brake and stopping, the vehicle stalled. If I had rolled into the intersection, I would have been right on a main road without engine running. No warning, it just stalls. I had thought it might be the ignition switch, but that was replaced already, and this happened again. This happens almost in the same place and situations every time. I start the vehicle, and without much delay, back out of my driveway. Pull down the street, make a right turn after about 40 yards. Make a left turn after about 100 yards. Then move forward to the stop sign at the main intersection about 80 yards further. Upon stopping, the vehicle stalls. It's happened about 10 times in the past 3 years, and twice in the past week. It surely is a danger, because I lose power and could roll into an intersection or cause another hazard.