2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: What to check before buying
Owners have filed 427 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, electrical, and transmission. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2021- Owner complaints
- 427
- Recalls
- 15
- Crashes reported
- 21
- 14 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 Grand 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 Grand Cherokee is it?
EPA figures for each version of the 2021 Jeep Grand 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | AWD, RWD | 21 mpg |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | AWD | 17 mpg |
| 6.2L 8-cyl | AWD | 13 mpg |
| 6.4L 8-cyl | AWD | 15 mpg |
- The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee was sold in four 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 Grand Cherokee that averages well under the EPA 13 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.
Sudden engine shutoff, new vehicles
100–2,900 miles
Early transmission failure
2,900–5,000 miles
Power steering loss
8,500–16,000 miles
Air conditioning failure
36,117–58,000 miles
Why these checks: what owners reported
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Steering1116 crashes
Power steering cuts out without warning, often with a "power steering unavailable" message and a cluster of other alerts for stability control, blind spot monitoring, air bags, and brake assist. Some drivers say the wheel locks or pulls hard to one side. Restarting sometimes clears it, but the fault tends to return. Reports cluster at low mileage, roughly 8,500 to 16,000 miles. Others describe loose front ball joints or steering parts coming apart at walking speed. Of 111 complaints, 6 involve crashes into curbs, guard rails, or poles, with 3 injuries.
Electrical731 crash
The engine shuts off while driving, a "shift to park" message appears, and some cars brake hard or lock into park on their own. Many of these reports come from nearly new vehicles with a few hundred to a few thousand miles. Dealers often find nothing wrong. Owners also describe screens going black, random warning lights, starter problems, and both batteries draining in sub-zero cold. There are 4 fire reports, including fires a few minutes after a remote start and one in a car that had been parked for hours.
Transmission50No crashes
Transmission faults dominate. Owners report hard or slamming shifts, limp mode, "Service Transmission" warnings, and cars stuck in first gear or neutral when pulling into traffic. Some transmissions fail within the first few thousand miles, and at least one owner reports a second replacement. Dealers often respond with software updates that don't stop the problem. Transfer case failures, 4WD service lights, and a loud pop from the transfer case also appear, along with engine shutoffs at freeway speed in cars under 3,000 miles.
Exterior lights32No crashes
Most of these complaints concern recalls. With the headlamp switch in Auto, the high beams won't come on, and some owners say the recall repair didn't fix it. A separate taillight recall left owners waiting months because parts were unavailable. Others report headlamps that burn out, both high beams failing at once from a stuck internal shutter, and low beams that go dark with no dashboard warning. One fire started at the front of the vehicle after a deer strike broke a headlamp.
Brakes18No crashes
The car brakes hard on its own at speed, with nothing in the road, sometimes flashing a false pedestrian or brake warning. Several of these sudden stops caused seatbelt injuries, and 3 injuries are reported in total. Other owners describe a pedal that drops to the floor or a total loss of braking. The fixes cited include a brake module replacement and an ABS control unit that also took out stability control and cruise control. Rear rotors that rust, pit, or warp by about 32,000 miles are another recurring complaint.
Engine17No crashes
Stalling and sudden shutoffs while driving lead these reports, in some cases at 65 mph in traffic and usually with no warning light. Auto stop/start shutdowns at intersections are a related complaint. Some cars misfire, set code P0304, and jerk within the first 500 miles, occasionally ending in an engine replacement. Other reports include oil cooler failures that leak oil or mix it with coolant, failed engine mounts with parts on backorder, heavy oil consumption on the V6, and fuel pump or water pump failures.
Suspension151 crash
Many of these filings concern rear spring and suspension recalls where parts weren't yet available, so owners waited a long time for the repair. Actual failures include a rear spring coming loose, a disconnected sway bar link at 19,000 miles, a broken rear lower A frame on the L, and a front tie rod replaced twice. Owners also report loud clunks over bumps that dealers can't find, harsh ride vibration, and air suspension compressor faults. The 1 crash in this category involved another driver.
Airbags108 crashes
Nondeployment in a crash is the core complaint, covering frontal hits, rear impacts, and collisions with poles and trees. Of 10 complaints, 8 involve crashes and 6 involve injuries, including a fractured sternum and a head injury against the side window. At least one report says the bags stayed put even after the air bag recall repair was done. Other reports describe dash leather over the air bag area coming unglued and an air bag warning light that comes back on.
In owners' own words
Excerpts from complaints Grand 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
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
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
While in gear if would not go. Within the first 5,000 miles it was in the shop twice and had to have a new transmission installed. Drove it for another 5-6k miles and same thing happened again and dealership is saying it will need another transmission.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2022
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 Grand Cherokee years
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2021 ranks second for owner complaints among 8 Grand Cherokee years, about 1.4 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
- Steering11119
- Electrical73110
- Transmission5034
- Exterior lights322
- Brakes1823
- Engine1723
Where the 2021 fits in the Grand Cherokee's history
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2021 is the 11th model year of the Grand Cherokee's fourth generation (2011–2022).
Recalls to confirm (15)
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, are expected to be 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.
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.
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