Feds Probe Jeep Commander

May 1, 2007 The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a preliminary investigation that could lead to the recall or 136,444 Jeep Commanders because the engine stalls unexpectedly. Federal safety regulators have received 26 vehicle owner complaints “alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in a model year 2006 through 2007 Jeep Commander,” according to NHTSA documents. Some of the consumers complaining to NHTSA told of repeated stalls at times with “simultaneous loss of some or all lighting systems including headlamps.” Two stalls resulted in accidents, according to NHTSA. DaimlerChrylser told the agency that engineers at the automaker have formed a task force to investigate the stalling problem with Jeep commanders. NHTSA has opened its own engineering analysis to “assess the frequency, scope and potential safety consequences of the alleged defect.”