DecodedCars2009 Jeep Commander
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2009 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD Limited, 4dr SUV 4WD Sport
- Engines
- 3.7L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline, FFV
- MPG (best)
- 16 combined · 15 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 188.6 in
- Curb weight
- 4,828–5,128 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 18% below the 2009 SUV - average of 19.5 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 32 similar 2009 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2009 Jeep Commander is a SUV - offered with 3 engines (3.7L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl and 4.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 189 inches long and 75 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,128 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Limited).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (15 city / 20 highway), 18% worse than the 2009 SUV - average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $4,200 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
What changed for 2009
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2008 Commander — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2008; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2008 Commander →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD Limited | 188.6 in | 74.8 in | 71.7 in | 109.8 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 5,128 lb | 51/49 |
| 4dr SUV 4WD Sport | 188.6 in | 74.8 in | 71.7 in | 109.8 in | 62.6 / 61.8 in | 4,828 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commander 2WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 16 | -18% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Commander 4WD | 3.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -10% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Commander 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -18% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Commander 2WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -23% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Commander 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 19 / 15 | -15% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Commander 4WD | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -15% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Commander 2WD FFV | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 15 | -23% | $4,450 | 592 |
| Commander 4WD FFV | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -15% | $4,450 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2009 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2009 Jeep Commander under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2009 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Jeep Commander (this car) | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Toyota Land Cruiser | 15 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2009 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 14 |
| 2009 Toyota 4Runner | 18 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2009 Toyota Highlander | 26 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
| 2009 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2009 Hyundai Santa Fe | 20 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
Recalls (1)
Electrical System · May 7, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V175000 · 295,345 vehicles
- Problem
- Chrysler Group LLC (Chrysler) is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles manufactured February 11, 2004, through March 9, 2010; and 2006-2010 Jeep Commander vehicles manufactured January 31, 2005, through March 10, 2010. A transfer case electrical failure may result in an unintentional shifting of the transfer case into the neutral position.
- Risk
- If the vehicle shifts into neutral, it may roll away increasing the risk of a crash or personal injury.
- Fix
- Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the final drive controller which governs the transfer case, with new software, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2013. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N23.
Not every 2009 Jeep Commander is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2009 Jeep Commander buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Electrical System — 19 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Power Train — 8 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 8 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 98,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2009 Jeep Commander. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Commander years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 Commander | 16 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 4 | 27 |
| 2008 Commander | 16 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 261 |
| 2007 Commander | 16 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 436 |
| 2006 Commander | 16 | 188.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 662 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Jeep. How we calculate this →