I have a 2016 Cherokee that the wife loves and now wants to drive, so I'm thinking about a Commander for myself. Seems most have around 130k miles, is there anything that I should look for or expect to be a problem?
Thanks so much for all the info!!! Great starting point for me. LOVE the looks of your Commander, that's a real Beauty!Commanders are good vehicles, but just like with your BMW, you have to maintain them - some, more then others, depending on how well the owner before you took care of it, and drove it, which is the X-Factor, if you will.
I'm sure most people will tell you get the Hemi - if you can find one, in good shape and without tons of miles on it.
I will say this, most people do not trade in, or sell a vehicle, if it's running great. Any vehicle you look at you should go through with a fine tooth comb - even the CARFAX reports don't tell you everything you need to know. When I bought mine which only had 62,000 miles on it when I bought it as the 2nd owner, and it was bone-stock. My Commander looked & seemed to run great.
However, after I had it 6-8 weeks, I discovered 5 or 6 different issues that I had to fix that were not readily apparent when I test drove the vehicle. Someone mentioned checking that you can shift into and out of 4-LOW - I would definitely check that several times before you buy one.
You can go to the website URL below and plug in the VIN of the vehicle you are looking at to see if all the factory re-calls have been completed:
Safety Recall Information | MOPAR
You can go the website URL below to get the factory build sheet; You can also order an owner's manuals from this same website if your vehicle didn't come with a factory owner's manual.
Dodge - Contact Us
To get the factory build sheet for the Commander you are looking at, or for the Commander you have already bought, click on "Your Vehicle" click on "Equipment Listing" and then enter your VIN number in the box that says "VIN" and hit "Search". The factory build sheet will list all of the factory options / optional equipment packages that your vehicle had installed from the factory when it was built.
You mentioned having the 4.7L in your old WJ; Well 2008 was a big year of improvement for the 4.7L; It went from putting out 235HP in 2007 to putting out 305HP in 2008.
You also had a HP jump in the Hemi in 2009; from 330HP in 2008 to 357HP in 2009.
Click on the link below and you will see a chart of all the Commander power plants with the factory HP & Torque specs from 2005 -2010; Commanders were only manufactured from 2006-2010, in case you were not aware:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeep_Commander_(XK)
I would suggest looking for a Commander Model Year 2008 or later, as the earlier 2006 & 2007 models had some issues that were ironed out in the 2008 & later models. Now that being said, there are other issues that seem to be pretty consistent through all of the model years.
I hope this info helps you with your search, good luck - and let us know how you make out.
Here are some issues I dealt with and what I had to get replaced when I bought my Commander - after actually finding out everything that was not working - or working intermittently, that I would classify as falling outside of normal maintenance:I'm thinking about a Commander for myself. Seems most have around 130k miles, is there anything that I should look for or expect to be a problem?
Is the actuator motor replacement an INDIRECT symptom of the P73 service having not been done--in the sense that since the FDCM wasn't flashed, it allowed the motor to go bad? If the service has been done when (years/mileage) can we expect the actuator motor to fail, if at all?2) After about 2 months of ownership, I had to replace the actuator motor on the Transfer case after getting the dreaded "service 4WD System" warning while trying to shift into 4-LOW which I was unable to do. That was about a $780 repair, when you add in the initial diagnostic trouble-shooting charge of $120.00. I found out after the fact, that my vehicle did not have the P73 campaign (reprogramming the FDCM) done yet, which, as it turns out, was the fix for this issue. I submitted a claim for reimbursement to Chrysler and was paid in full within 2 weeks - there is a thread about how to submit the claim for reimbursement to Chrysler here:
Thanks so much! I have a lot of reading and research to do.Thanks.
I am attaching a copy of the P73 recall - after reading it I realized that is specific to Commanders with the Quadra-Trac II Full Time 4WD system.
-still have to do the P73 recall
sespe commander,P73
We are recommending the following improvements be performed on certain 2005 through 2010 model year Jeep® Grand Cherokee and 2006 through 2010 model year Jeep® Commander vehicles equipped with a Quadra-Trac II Full Time Active 4WD transfer case.
Recommended Service:
The Final Drive Control Module (FDCM) software on your vehicle may cause the “Service 4WD” light to come on and an inability to switch 4WD mode when trying to shift out of the current selected mode.
One owner, all recalls completed and a clean Carfax is a good start, in addition check the following;I'm looking at a 2006 commander limited, hemi, 116k miles, one owner, all recalls completed, clear Carfax, etc. Asking price is 8k any thoughts. Am I crazy for buying one with this high miles? Will it be a money pit? What would be your advice and fair offer? Thanks so much.
There is no 2017 Jeep Commander; I believe you meant the 2017 Jeep Commanche;I also love the Cherokee 2016. 2017 Jeep Commander is the newest center of the dimensions SUV created by Jeep and highly recommended and most talked about in terms of sturdy designs , features and so with its performance.
Alright, I have to ask.....We loved that Jeep. I test drove it and it was perfect!!! The dealer sold it when we left.