The Jeep Commander was introduced in 2006; it is a full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV) available in four-wheel drive. Edmunds.com reports that the Commander exhibits poor fuel economy, sub-par interior features and below average third row seating. The Commander was discontinued in 2010.
Jeep technical service bulletins (TSBs) indicate that a common Commander drivetrain problem is its power control mModule (PCM), which is essentially the "brains" of the engine control system, malfunctioning. Symptoms of a bad PCM include excessive fuel emissions, dashboard illumination (ABS, check-engine light) and failure to start.
Jeep TSBs report another common drivetrain issue is the Commander's electronic stability program (ESP). The ESP is a computer system that minimizes skids by automatically applying the brake when necessary. TSBs state that there are computer updates available for an improperly functioning ESP.
Jeep TSBs also report that the Commander's torque converter clutch (TCC) may be faulty. The TCC is responsible for transferring power from the engine to the transmission by providing it with varying degrees of torque. The primary symptoms of a bad TCC are transmission slippage, difficulty shifting gears and experiencing shuddering while driving.
