2021 Jeep Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 166 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 12 Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2021 reports, 10 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power trainMay 7, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
Campaign 26V290000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, side/window, curtainJul 8, 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."
An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
Campaign 24V516000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, cooler/radiator, hoses and fittingsMay 4, 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.
A transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 21V310000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower armOct 27, 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 20V657000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
166 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Mar 23, 2022
Power loss while driving, which poses a safety hazard Transmission shifting into neutral How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? 1. Vehicle lost power and shifted into neutral while accelerting into traffic 2. Vehicle was driving highway speeds and spontaneously lost power and shifted into neutral while in traffic Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes - vehicle has been repaired and at dealership 2xs and scheduled for a 3rd on April 6, 2022 Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Jeep is aware of issue and has requested star claim on next visit Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? There is no warning of power loss or shifting into neutral ( spontaneous). After the D on gear shift flashes.
Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Jan 29, 2022, fire
I put my car in tow mode, after hooking up my RV, followed all proper procedures, after I turned key off and closed the door, between then and when I started to roll, the emergency brake AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED! I burned up my two rear Jeep tires and could have been worse had not a nice guy stop me and said your tires are on fire!!! I have a 38 ft Alpine, so didn't realize the pull! I luckily only had to replace my 2 rear tires and one sensor that melted! $450. Since then I watch for this DANGEROUS AUTO FEATURE and it has engaged on its own again a few times, not always, but occasionally. I can't have this going on it I plan to tow this vehicle!
Tires, Jan 26, 2022
turning from secondary road onto main road, us high 41 ruskin fl. as i was gaining speed, heard a large pop sound. traveled approx 1/4 mile to dollar general store parking lot. examined tire and the inside wall had dlown a hole t SHAPE approx 2 inches in length. called roadside assist who dispatched a auto carrier and was taken to Firkins Jeep in brandon FL for new tire4. cost 186.83. few days later took old to firestone dealer for an eximation, who told me it had been caused by something on road that had punchered but i didn't see and F.O.D. on road and front tire would have picked it up first, looks like.. Am concerned that other tires on vehicle could be defective as well and think it might be a saFETY HAZARD TO GET ON INTERSTATE TRAFFICI CUT RIM AND AM SAVING TIRE RIM WITH INFO ON IT PLUS TOOK CELL PHOTOS OF SAME..
Power train, Electrical system, Dec 28, 2021
While I was trying to get onto the interstate my vehicle would not accelerate. I tried to merge in with traffic but I was only going 35 and I almost hit someone. They stayed the same speed hoping I would speed up in front of them but I couldn’t. This put everyone around me at risk. I took my vh to the dealership. They called me today and told me they sold the rental I was in and that I needed to bring the car back. Also they ran some codes and my car is coming back fine. So they did not find a problem. I honestly feel they didn’t look they just wanted to sell the rental car. I’ve had no warning lamps at all come on but the transmission is slipping.
Suspension, Nov 19, 2021, crash
I was driving and felt the wheel jerk and heard a crack noise under the front end of my car immediately after my vehichle was pulled abruptly to left causing me to hit a curb. WHen I got out and inspected the vehichle it looked as if the tire had been tilted inwards towards the car. I had the car towed to my local mechanic they told me that this is part of a recall and I needed to go through the dealership. The dealer is saying my car is not covered under that specific recall which is the exact problem that I had.
Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 29, 2021, crash, fire
The contact rented a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude. The contact stated while driving approximately 70mph when the contact lost control of the vehicle and experienced a head-on collision to the front end of the vehicle. While the contact was attempting to leave the vehicle post-accident, the driver-side interior door handle would not function and open the driver-side door. Which resulted in the contact having to open the door via the exterior door handle. All airbags deployed minus driver-side airbags. A police report was filed and the contact sought medical treatment and sustained a mild concussion, a hematoma on legs, and bruising on the chest abdomen, and face. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Oct 23, 2021
Vehicle stalled on the road while stopped in the center lane and trying to take left turn. It was completely dead, no warning indicators or signals. Both dash board and radio screens were blank. Key was locked, could not take it out. Everything came back to normal after about fifteen minutes and I was able to drive it home. Our safety was at risk since it happened in the middle of the road, except that it was stopped and waiting to turn. Contacted dealer for warranty service. No diagnostics done yet.
Service brakes, Aug 20, 2021
While putting on new tire valve caps, I noticed a drip of something wet on the inside of one of the rims. It smelled like brake fluid. I took the car to the dealership for inspection. I was told that I couldn't drive the car, that the caliper was leaking brake fluid, and that it would take about 6 days to order and replace the caliper. If gone undetected, the defective leaking caliper could have resulted in brake failure. There was no warning lamp to indicate an issue.
Engine, Jun 7, 2021
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 55-60 mph, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that there was plastic left from the manufacturing process inside the engine. The mechanic flushed the engine however, the failure recurred with the check engine and battery warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to another dealer, Stevens Point Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram (5441 US-10, Stevens Point, WI 54482) however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. There was no fault code retrieved. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer for a second diagnostic test at the request of the contact. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was 836.
Air bags, May 30, 2021, crash
Another driver ran a red light and I t-boned him. All of his air bags went off, none of mine deployed. Hit the steering wheel hard with chest and arms, hit lower dash hard with knees and feet. Resulted in concussion and a bunch of bruising and strains.
Air bags, May 30, 2021, crash
I was involved in an accident on May 27, 2021 with my brand new Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2021, less than 3 k miles. Another driver ran a red light and I t-boned him, all of his air bags went off, but none of my air bags deployed. Hit the steering wheel with my chest, arms, hit the under dash area with knees and ankles as a result and am pretty bruised up.
Service brakes, Air, May 18, 2021
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR, THE ADVANCE BRAKE ASSIST FAILED TO PERFORM AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,912.
Power train, Apr 4, 2021
MY 2021 JEEP'S POWER TRAIN UNIT BROKE AND DAMAGED OTHER CONNECTING PARTS WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THIS OCCURRED WITH ONLY 5696 MILES DRIVEN ON THE VEHICLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes, Mar 12, 2021, crash
WE WERE IN A FRONT IMPACT VEHICLE ACCIDENT. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, BRAKES FAILED AFTER IMPACT AND THE ENGINE DIDN'T SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE ECU POWER RELAY FOR THE ENGINE TO STOP.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 3, 2021
DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, CAR KEPT SPUTTERING. RPM GAUGE KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN WHILE PRESSING IN THE GAS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY SHUT DOWN AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR THE SECOND TIME.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Feb 14, 2021
I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA (40 MPH) WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY JOLTED AS IF I HAD SUDDENLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN THE GAS PEDAL. I STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. THE ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT WERE ON, THE SEAT/STEERING WHEEL WARMER, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE MONITOR KEPT SAYING TO STEP ON THE BRAKE/START THE CAR, I ATTEMPTED TO DO THIS AND NOTHING. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN TRIED TO TURN IT ON AGAIN MULTIPLE TIMES AND NOTHING. THANKFULLY, MULTIPLE PEOPLE STOPPED TO PUSH ME OFF INTO A PARKING LOT, BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE STARTED BEEPING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHATSOEVER. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS, THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.