2006 Jeep Commander: loss of power steering

Filed Oct 1, 2016 · Engine, Fuel system · 170,000 miles · VA

I went to start my 2006 jeep commander and it would turn over, but it would not start. I finally worked with it a little bit and got it to start, but then my power steering went out. I cut it off and tried it again and everything went back to normal. However, when I got going, there was a horrible gas smell coming from the rear of the vehicle. This starting issue has happened multiple times and every time the power steering goes out. The vehicle was stationary at a public place after it had been running for about 30 minutes.

Filed Sep 20, 2015 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · MT

I currently own a 2006 commander. I have been having problems with dash light shutoffs since 2009, just recently the vehicle has started to do exactly what the recall has stated that it will do. The dash components will go from on to off and then back on. The warning lights will all come on and then off again without warning. The fan motor for the heater is now starting to cut in and out in unison with all the indicator lights. Right now it is only the lights but at some time the ignition is going to shut off leaving myself in a situation that I cannot control with no steering or brakes to safely get to the side of the road. At this point I can hit the dash to the right of the steering wheel and it comes back on but how long can I do this. This vehicle is definitely a lemon. Sept 20, 2015

Filed Jul 28, 2015 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 jeep commander. While driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled, the power steering failed, and the door locks malfunctioned. The contact was locked inside the vehicle for over an hour. The vehicle restarted and was driven to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · 107,000 miles · PA

In september of 2014 I recently bought a 2006 jeep commander. A few weeks after purchasing the vehicle I noticed the car was shutting off when I was at stop signs, red lights, and most seriously when I was driving. I was not sure as to why my car was doing this. I tried everything from a new battery and countless appointments at my mechanic. I was not informed of any type of recall on my car, until I did my own personal research. In may of 2015 I took my car to a chrysler, dodge, jeep and ram dealership to find out when I could order the part for the p-41 recall on my car. I was informed that the part was not available in the country and they were not sure of when it would arrive. I was told the car was "safe" to drive. I was given a few tips: sit far enough away from the steering wheel so my knees were not close to the key, have the car key only on a ring by itself, always wear my seat belt, and avoid having a front passenger. It was only a matter of 4 weeks until I was experiencing the issue again. I was driving on the highway with my boyfriend and one year old daughter going about 65mph when my car completely shut off, I lost power steering, brakes, and every single light turned on. I had to resort to pulling the e-brake which did not help slow my car down. This was the most serious and dangerous incident, luckily we did not get hurt, or hurt anyone else. As a result, I took my car to another jeep dealership and was advised the same information that the part was not able to be ordered and given the same tips. I requested a rental for the safety of myself and my daughter. It took me 2 weeks to finally receive a rental. I have had a rental for almost two weeks now and was told by the dealership, by pulling the e-brake it was going to cost me $1600 to fix. I do not feel as if I am responsible for the cost of the repair, considering this was caused by the p-41 recall.

Filed Jul 21, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 98,000 miles · IL

My family and I were driving down the highway at 75 MPH and without any warning, the engine died. When the engine died, the engine indicator light came on. Power steering and braking were fine at first. I steered the car to the side of the road. Before coming to a stop, the power steering stopped working. Once on the side of the road, I turned the ignition off and then tried to restart the vehicle. The car re-started immediately, however, the engine light remained on. I have taken the car into the shop and the technician was unable to find any problems with the vehicle. ...updated 09/22/15 *bf about one week prior to the above event, I was driving home from the train station on a perfectly dry and clear day and when I was driving, the various traction control lights came on and the car would periodically buck while the RPM's would rev higher for a moment. After arriving home, I turned the car off and parked it in the garage. The nest day when I started it, the traction lights were off and the car appeared to drive normally. The lights that were on were the esp, bas, and the picture of the car sliding. When I took the car in for repair, the dealer couldn't find any issue with the traction system. The same traction issue has happened several more times and has yet to be repaired. Updated 09/29/15

Filed Jul 13, 2015 · Acceleration, Brakes · 114,000 miles · WA

I was driving down the hwy and my vehicle turned off. I lost power steering breaks and was not able to properly maintain control of my vehicle in order to avoid an accident. This had happened twice before this time, and I looked to see that there was a recall on my jeep for an ingition switch and the the exact discription of what would happen if my car was effected fit my situation. I then called jeep and advised them of this and they said I neeeded to have it diagnoised by a jeep dealership. I had the vehicle towed at my expensense and rented a car at my expense. The dealership confirmed my assumption and in fact the issue I was experiencing is part of the recall. Jeep now tells me they don't have the parts and they have not made a decision on whether it's neccessary to provide a replacement vehicle until they have a resolve. Am I supposed to be without a vehicle or potentially drive mine with 3 children, and potentially loose power again causing a loss of control? What I am supposed to do from here?

Filed May 4, 2015 · Electrical · 108,500 miles · IL

As I was driving I had adjusted myself in my seat and my knee accidentally hit the key which turned my vehicle off while driving 65mph with my 13 month old child in the backseat. My power steering went out and all gauges on the dashboard went out, it was hard to stop and pull the vehicle over and then turn the vehicle back on.

Filed Dec 19, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 115,000 miles · NY · crash

While driving the vehicle on a slippery road during a snowfall, my wife observed all of the indicator lights on the dashboard light up simultaneously. Shortly thereafter, the engine shut off, causing a loss of power steering and consequently a loss of control of the vehicle on the slippery roadway. As a result, the vehicle slid into a highway maintenance marker along the shoulder of the road, causing minor damage to the license plate holder and bumper of the vehicle. Our concern is that this incident is apparently due to a defective ignition switch, which is the subject of a current recall (14v‑438) issued by the manufacturer on 9/3/14. However, the manufacturer has not provided a remedy for this defect, citing the unavailability of repair parts, and as of this morning the manufacturer has no idea as to when these repair parts will be available. In the meantime, the phenomenon of the dashboard indicators suddenly and spontaneously illuminating while driving continues to recur rather frequently, and we are afraid that a recurrence of the engine shutoff and loss of power steering and brake assist will also recur, perhaps at a time and location where a much more serious crash will result.

Filed Dec 11, 2014 · Steering · 30,000 miles · ME

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 jeep commander. While driving 30 MPH, the power steering failed without warning. The specifics of the power steering failure were not available. The contact received the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v438000 (electrical system) but the recall remedy was not available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 30,000.

Filed Nov 14, 2014 · Brakes, Engine · 93,400 miles · CO

Help please!!!!!!! I have come here and filed complaints on this vehicle a few times! There is currently a recall on this vehicle, however there is no solution so we are forced to drive in a very dangerous situation! My jeep dies on me almost twice a week!!! I am 5'1 my knees are no where near the ignition switch! I have taken off everything from my key ring since it started dying in july!!! Today I am in tears! We have snow packed icy roads and my jeep died as I was turning a corner, barely missing another vehicle and with no power steering I was able to get to a curb. I can put the jeep in park and restart it, but today was a close call! I drive my children in this vehicle!!! We have no other vehicle that I can use! I cannot responsibly sell this vehicle, I would feel horrible if something happened to another family!!! This agency is set up to maintain the safety of the consumer, please, please help us who are driving this extremely dangerous vehicle! I am copying this and sending it to whatever media outlet will listen!!!

Filed Nov 13, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 120,000 miles · MA

2006 jeep commander traveling at highway speed 65mph ignition shuts off and loss of power steering. Able to slow to breakdown lane and restart vehicle. This is the second time this has happened chrysler is no help. I have a 5 month old who was in the vehicle at the time. Its been long enough they should have it figured out. Acceptable time for an issue like this is not 6 months.

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Engine · 88,000 miles · SC

Engine shut off while driving on a winding road. Loss of steering and brakes became a potentially catastrophic problem. This is the second occurrence of this type in the past month. Our mechanic is scratching his head.