VehicleVerdict

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L carries two red flags at once: 118 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures). It is one of the Grand Cherokee L years to avoid.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (25), driver assistance (22), and steering (13), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

118

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

4

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2021 compare to other Grand Cherokee L years?

Grand Cherokee L NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted118 complaints2021: 118 complaints2022: 118 complaints2023: 102 complaints2024: 60 complaints2025: 59 complaints2026: 3 complaints
Grand Cherokee L NHTSA complaints by model year, 2021 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Grand Cherokee L years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System2521%
Driver Assistance2219%
Steering1311%
Transmission1210%
Other1210%
Engine87%
Seats65%
Brakes43%
Suspension43%
Speed Control33%
Airbags22%
Fuel System22%
Lighting22%
Seat Belts22%
Visibility & Wipers11%

Does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V051000SuspensionJanuary 29, 2026 · 80,620 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

25V083000Driver AssistanceFebruary 13, 2025 · 133 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

24V897000AirbagsNovember 27, 2024 · 14 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

RQ25005

Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures

On June 8, 2023, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US, LLC (FCA) filed Safety Recall 23V-413 affecting certain 2022–2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and2021–2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles to address rear coil springs that may not have been properly installed during vehicle production. An improperly installed rear coil spring may detach while the vehicle is in motion, creating a road hazard that can increase the risk of a crash for following motorists and may result in injury to other road users. Since the filing of Recall 23V-413, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received twenty (20) unique consumer complaints alleging rear coil spring detachments occurring after the recall remedy was performed. These reports raise concerns regarding the effectiveness of the recall remedy and suggest the possibility of additional factors not addressed by the original recall campaign. Accordingly, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) is opening this Recall Query (RQ) to assess the adequacy of FCA’s remedy procedure under Recall 23V-413 and to evaluate the root cause(s) of post-remedy coil spring detachments. ODI will review complaint data, field reports, and FCA’s technical analysis to determine whether further action is warranted. To review the ODI reports cited in the Opening Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, visit NHTSA.gov.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“While my wife was driving our 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee on [XXX] northbound in NY on the way with our children to school, she experienced a loss of steering as the wheel became almost impossible to turn. At the same time, the power steering light came on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 11, 2025

“This is the second time I got into an accident and the (ADAS) made me crash.. I was far enough to brake safely but the system keeps me going forward..it drags me as if there is ice on the ground..if it was off my car would not have been in any of these accidents..this feature is not safe..I feel…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · June 12, 2026 · crash

“While my wife was driving our 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee on [XXX] northbound in NY on the way with our children to school, she experienced a loss of steering as the wheel became almost impossible to turn. At the same time, the power steering light came on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · November 11, 2025

“Jeep caught on fire in my garage in the middle of the night when it was off, burnt my entire house down, 4 fire investigaters and a forensic scientist, swaid the fire started in the battery compartment.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 15, 2023 · fire

“On April 24,2026 , as pull out my driveway heading to work only to get a 1/4 mile from home car stopped in highway. As I power and restarted tried to select a different gear never went in gear. Towed by to dealership as confirmed transmission was stuck with inly 67000. They replaced with new…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 23, 2026

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L — common questions

Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 118 complaints put the 2021 model at #1 of 6 Grand Cherokee L years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Grand Cherokee L years to avoid.

What are the most common 2021 Grand Cherokee L problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (25 complaints), driver assistance (22 complaints), steering (13 complaints).

Does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (Recall 23V-413 Post Remedy Failures). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee L years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Cherokee L years to avoid are 2021, 2022, 2023. The cleanest record among Grand Cherokee L years belongs to 2026.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.