VehicleVerdict

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 12 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 660 owner complaints run below the Grand Cherokee median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying. Complainants reported 23 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (113), steering (102), and driver assistance (70), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

660

NHTSA complaints

12

Recalls

0

Investigations

36

Crash-involved

11

Fires reported

23

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2021 compare to other Grand Cherokee years?

See all Grand Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System11317%
Steering10215%
Driver Assistance7011%
Engine619%
Other558%
Transmission558%
Lighting416%
Fuel System365%
Brakes315%
Suspension305%
Airbags183%
Speed Control173%
Visibility & Wipers81%
Tires & Wheels71%
Seat Belts61%
Seats51%
Body & Structure41%
Child Seat10%

Does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

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

24V436000Driver AssistanceJune 13, 2024 · 1,033,433 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

24V132000SuspensionFebruary 22, 2024 · 338,238 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

23V577000Driver AssistanceAugust 14, 2023 · 162,713 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

23V413000SuspensionJune 8, 2023 · 305,282 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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 18, 2023 · 89,372 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

22V544000LightingJuly 28, 2022 · 99,186 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

A tail light side marker that does not illuminate can reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

22V284000EngineApril 28, 2022 · 1,308 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

22V180000SeatsMarch 24, 2022 · 4,586 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

A missing weld may allow the child seat tether to separate from the seat frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

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.

21V950000LightingDecember 9, 2021 · 36,929 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

21V873000AirbagsNovember 10, 2021 · 99,255 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Disabled air bags can increase the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.

Remedy

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.

21V797000LightingOctober 14, 2021 · 7,082 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Difficulty activating the headlight high beams may result in reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

21V729000Driver AssistanceSeptember 21, 2021 · 69,138 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

I started my car with my factory installed remote starter and 5 minutes later my car was engulfed in flames. This was a brand new car, and has been reported to Chrysler,. I reported this the day it happened on 5/9/22 and I still have not heard back from Chrysler. Just concerned this could happen to…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 9, 2022 · fire

April 8th 2024 jeep was at total stop then car jolted forward and unable to stop the vehicle from driving forward lost control of car until it hit a car then fence then a brick wall total loss both air bags deployed

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 8, 2024 · crash

I was driving north on I64, and a car in front of me suddenly stopped. Cruise control was on, but when i applied the brake, my car did not stopped, and cruise control speed up, before decreasing speed. Instead of turning off, and allowing the car to slow down. I had to swerve, causing to go off on…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · November 30, 2025 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 22, 2025 · crash

Since it was brand new it likes to shift hard into reverse or drive from park. Sometimes it shifts with NOTHING going on like it should Other times there is subtle thump into gear other times it's a harder thumb into gear. There is 2 or 3 levels of hard shift into gear. Valve body and Output shift…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 13, 2025

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 660 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Grand Cherokee year, with 12 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2021 Grand Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (113 complaints), steering (102 complaints), driver assistance (70 complaints).

Does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns affecting the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2005, 2011, 2012, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2015, 2004, 2007, 1997, 2018, 2013, 2023, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2016, 2020. The cleanest record among Grand Cherokee years belongs to 1992.

How safe is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.