2021 Jeep Cherokee: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 554 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, transmission, and electrical. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021- Owner complaints
- 554
- Recalls
- 18
- Crashes reported
- 31
- 21 injuries
Your inspection sheet
Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2021 Jeep Cherokee: inspection sheet
Paperwork and questions
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Walk-around and cabin
Engine off, key in hand0/1
Cold start, engine bay, and underside
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/2
Test drive
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/4
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
Which Cherokee is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 24–26 mpg |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | AWD, FWD | 24–25 mpg |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | AWD, FWD | 22–23 mpg |
- The 2021 Jeep Cherokee was sold in three versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
- Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A Cherokee that averages well under the EPA 22 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.
Check the odometer against these mileages
Owners report these failures starting around the mileages below. A car inside one of these ranges deserves a closer look at that part, or records showing it was already fixed.
Power steering loss
1,321–13,000 miles
Transmission shifting failure
2,900–5,000 miles
Front suspension part failure
19,000–35,000 miles
Transfer case and 4WD faults
35,000–60,000 miles
Air conditioning failure
36,117–58,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Steering1176 crashes
Power steering cuts out without warning. It happens in low-speed turns and at highway speed, and the wheel becomes very hard to turn. Stability control, blind spot monitoring and cruise control often switch off at the same time. A restart sometimes brings the assist back and sometimes does not. Several reports describe this within the first few thousand miles. A separate group of reports describes front steering or suspension parts breaking and wheels turning inward. Of 117 complaints, 6 involve crashes and 3 involve injuries, mostly from hitting curbs, poles or guard rails.
Transmission1051 crash
The transmission won't shift out of first gear, slams into gears or drops into limp mode. The engine revs but the car barely moves, often in intersections. Some cars needed a new transmission within the first few thousand miles, and one owner was told a second was needed. Another pattern involves Service 4WD warnings, a popping transfer case, stability control shutting off and the parking brake engaging on its own. Transfer case failures show up between 35,000 and 60,000 miles. Dealer software updates often don't stop the problem from coming back. One complaint involves a crash.
Electrical862 crashes
The engine shuts off while driving and the car asks to be shifted to park. Power steering and brakes can go out with it. Some cars do this before 1,000 miles. Others show a string of warnings for collision, stop/start and throttle body, or the parking brake and auto park engage at random. Screens go black. Five complaints involve fire. In some, the cabin ignited minutes after a remote start. In others, the car burned while parked with the engine off. Two complaints involve crashes. Dealers often find nothing, and software updates don't fix it.
Exterior lights33No crashes
Many of these filings come from owners waiting months for parts to finish a lighting recall repair. Others describe high beams that will not turn on while the headlight switch is set to Auto, and some owners say this continues after dealer work. Low beams and taillights stop working. Headlights blink and then quit, and both lamps can fail at once with no dash warning. One of the 33 complaints describes a fire that started after a deer strike broke a headlamp.
Engine26No crashes
Stalling without warning is the most common report. Cars shut off at speeds from 5 to 65 mph, often with no warning light, and usually restart after a short wait. Software updates have not always stopped it. Other patterns include oil cooler failures that leak oil or mix oil and coolant, and misfires with a flashing check engine light. Owners also report low oil between changes, failed engine mounts with long parts backorders, and failed fuel and water pumps. One complaint describes a fire on the interstate, and one reports an injury.
Brakes25No crashes
The car brakes hard on its own with nothing ahead, at speeds from a crawl up to 55 mph. Seat belts have thrown occupants hard, and 3 of 25 complaints report injuries. The reverse automatic braking also slams on with nothing behind the car. The electric parking brake engages while driving or towing, and in one case it set the rear tires on fire. Other reports describe a brake pedal that drops to the floor, a failed ABS control unit, and rear rotors that warp, pit or rust out early.
Suspension223 crashes
Front suspension parts break or come loose, including control arms, sway bar links, knuckles and axles. When they fail, a wheel can tilt inward or come off. Three of 22 complaints involve crashes, usually after a sudden pull into a curb. These failures appear between about 19,000 and 35,000 miles. Many other filings come from owners waiting for suspension recall parts that dealers can't get. Air suspension faults, such as ride height warnings and a failed compressor, lead to large repair bills. Rear squeaks and front-end clunks over bumps often go undiagnosed.
Airbags1614 crashes
Airbags fail to deploy in frontal crashes, including head-on hits into trees, poles and other cars at 30 to 65 mph. Fourteen of the 16 complaints involve crashes and 13 report injuries. The injuries include concussions, a fractured sternum and chest bruising from hitting the steering wheel. Several drivers say the other car's airbags deployed and theirs did not. One driver says the driver-side airbags stayed off while the others deployed. A separate complaint says the dash covering over the airbag came unglued.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Cherokee owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
At 1321 miles Power steering went unavailable while driving, restarted car and it was still unavailable. Car now has 1700 Miles and have had the issue 7 times. Dealer can not get me in until Feb 15th, 2021. Which is unexceptionable. With no power steering other safety features are unavailable, like cruise control, lane senors and other. I’m making this claim hoping for a full recall on this issue. Many others having the same problem.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2022
This is my second attempt to get someone to reach out. I have a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L with approximately 3100 miles. This vehicle has been in the repair shop a minimum of 10 times. Power steering goes out at times while driving. This vehicle falls into the Lemon Law. I have been unable to reach anyone at Jeep Headquarters to assist with resolving this buy back. No one has returned my calls. This is a very serious safety concern
Filed with NHTSA, March 2022
Transmission failure at 19,481 miles in my 2021Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 V6. The vehicle has not been abused, and the mileage is low for its age. The symptoms—erratic shifting, limp mode, and “Service Transmission” warnings— are consistent with a known defect pattern affecting multiple FCA vehicles using the same transmission.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2025
Power Takeoff Unit Assembly failed at 61,000 miles. This unit has had three recalls and 5 parts revision that I can find but dealer refuses replacement under warranty due to warranty being 60,000 miles. This part clearly has defects ongoing since 2014 or before and yet FCA continues to produce them and fails to support them.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2023
The car keeps dying while I’m driving and saying “shift to park” and then slamming on the brakes and dying. The card is 4 years old with 44k miles. I had to sit on the side of the road in 93 degree heat in Florida while pregnant and waiting on a tow truck. How has someone not died because of this? I’ve seen SEVERAL posts of people saying the same thing happened to theirs. It’s SO unsafe.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
Vehicle was purchased last month. Grand Cherokee L Altitude. Has <1,400 miles. Check engine light came on. Warning for Electronic stabilizer system. Lost acceleration. Vehicle stalled once coming to a stop. And then once I turned it back on and tried to drive, the vehicle would not accelerate over 25mph. Reset then car drove fine. But then incident occurred again. Glitchy software or modules. This should not occur in a BRAND NEW vehicle. Unsafe.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2021
I have had recalls on my vehicle since I purchased it and have taken it back to dealer and they state they are unable to fix them. I still have no brights still have a check engine light for the code on transfer case clutch and there is one that my tire could fall off. I drive 60 miles a day and have 3 small children this is very unsafe and they refuse to do anything about it
Filed with NHTSA, September 2025
When the lights are set on Auto mode the high beams feature will not work. You push the steering column cluster switch forward to turn on high beams and it kicks it back immediately and will not turn on high beams. This is a huge safety issue. We've had to drive through wooded areas at night with elk and deer on the roads and almost been hit. Jeep needs to recall this and modify to allow high beam while using the Auto headlight setting.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2024
How the 2021 compares with other Cherokee years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks third for owner complaints among 8 Cherokee years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Steering11736
- Transmission105175
- Electrical86154
- Exterior lights332
- Engine2658
- Brakes2532
Recalls to confirm (18)
Recall repairs are free at any Jeep dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
26V051000SuspensionJan 2026
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The rear coil springs may be incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving.
Risk: Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the rear coil spring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 12, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in March 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 20D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 30, 2026. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 23V413. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
25V083000EquipmentFeb 2025
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The center stack upper display (DCSD) contains a transistor that may overheat and prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers replaced the DCSD, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been repaired. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 11C.
24V897000AirbagsNov 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the front seat side air bags (SAB) may prevent the air bags from deploying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection.".
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers secured the connector, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is B3B.
24V516000AirbagsJul 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the right-side curtain air bag may prevent the air bag from deploying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation.".
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 71B.
24V436000Backup cameraJun 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.
24V132000SuspensionFeb 2024
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The upper control arm ball joint and steering knuckle may separate and cause the wheel to fall outward, resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the upper control arm pinch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 2, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 10B.
23V577000Backup cameraAug 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and 2022-2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles. The Central Vision Park Assist module (CVPAM) software may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the Central Vision Park Assist Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 56A.
23V413000SuspensionJun 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The rear coil springs may have been incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving.
Risk: Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, repair the rear coil spring assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 64A. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall 26V051. All vehicles will need to have the new recall remedy performed.
23V352000SteeringMay 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An incorrectly assembled steering column intermediate shaft may disconnect from the u-joint, and result in a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the intermediate shaft and assembly parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 58A.
22V544000Exterior lightsJul 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The tail light side marker assemblies may be damaged and not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: A tail light side marker that does not illuminate can reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace both body-mounted tail light assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 8, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z50.
22V284000EngineApr 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.
22V180000Child SeatMar 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a missing weld from the seat back frame to the child seat tether anchorage. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems.".
Risk: A missing weld may allow the child seat tether to separate from the seat frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat back frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Z24.
21V950000Exterior lightsDec 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with smart lighting modules (SLM). An incomplete SLM software update may cause one or both headlights to become inoperable. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the SLM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y72.
21V873000AirbagsNov 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may have incorrect software which can disable the driver, passenger, and knee air bags without warning.
Risk: Disabled air bags can increase the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ORC, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y79.
21V797000Exterior lightsOct 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles not equipped with automatic high beams. When the master lighting switch is set to the auto position, the high beam headlights will not activate unless the master lighting switch is first changed to the 'on" position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment.".
Risk: Difficulty activating the headlight high beams may result in reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y66.
21V729000Wipers and visibilitySep 2021
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: FCA US LLC will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y67.
21V310000TransmissionMay 2021
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the hose, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y18.
20V657000SuspensionOct 2020
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude and Jeep Cherokee Limited vehicles. One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving.
Risk: A front lower control arm fracture while driving may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front lower control arms and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W81. Note: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired if needed.
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