Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise, lane keeping, backup camera).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH on an interstate and depressing the brake pedal to avoid a crash, the automatic emergency braking system suddenly engaged, and the vehicle experienced a drivetrain failure. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the drive shaft, the transfer case, and the drivetrain control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The drive shaft was replaced, but additional repairs were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the case was closed, and the contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The vehicle was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V436000 (Back Over Prevention); and was taken to the dealer to update the radio software. The contact stated that after the recall repair was performed, the Forward Collision Avoidance activation button was no longer displayed on the infotainment center. The Forward Collision Avoidance Off warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact informed the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The dealer advised the contact to wait for a day; however, the failure persisted after the system reset. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 18,000.
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 like my life is in danger when it is on
ABS , Traction Control, Power brake booster, AEB inoperative after routine brake pads/rotor service. Vehicle was put into service mode via touch screen radio, rear brake service performed. Upon initial brake pedal application, required to exit service mode for rear brakes, to return caliper piston contact to brake pad. The vehicle disables abs and supporting system and sets codes c0050 , c2227 . As a technician my opinion is the extra brake fluid required to take up open space after service is discharged via accumulator into the brake system with no resistance or pressure due to caliper pistons expanding to the brake pads. …
On or about 10/7/26, my vehicle suffered a simultaneous, unprompted failure of multiple safety and control systems. I believe this is due to a background manufacturer-initiated Over-the-Air (OTA) software update and is a well known issue on the Jeep Grand Cherrokee L . The exact date the update was pushed is unknown, as it occurred automatically via the telematics system. The symptoms appeared suddenly: the Forward Collision Warning and Pedestrian Emergency Braking (PEB) systems completely deactivated, leaving the 'FCW OFF' warning light permanently illuminated on the dashboard. Concurrently, the steering wheel paddle shifters ceased to function ('Paddle Shifting Disabled'), and the vehicle's digital display automatically reset its units of measurement. This constitutes a severe safety hazard. …
When a car in front of me is slowing down while the adaptive crusie control is on and I have the distance set to 3 or 4 lengths, the farthest one available, and the adaptive cruise control is set, the car will start slwoing down like the cars ahead of me and if I switch lanes to go around of the car that is slowing down and there is another car in front of me of the lane I move into that adaptive crusie control acts as if there is no car in front of me in the lane and will begin to accelerate until I engage the brake. So for example I'm traveling in the far right lane of a four lane road, two going north and two going south. I have my adaptive crusie control on and set to 50 MPH and the distance set to 4 car lengths (max) and then the car in front of me starts to slw down. The adaptive crusie control will adjust and start to slow down as well. …
I experienced electrical issues that resulted in loss of steering and difficulty turning my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Laredo. The steering became very hard to turn, and warning lights were present. This created a safety concern because the vehicle was difficult to control. I took the vehicle to an authorized Jeep dealership in Midwest City, Oklahoma. The dealership diagnosed the issue as a fuse array and attempted a repair. The vehicle remained at the dealership for approximately five days. After the repair attempt, I was informed that the fuse blew and that the vehicle now requires replacement of the power steering assembly. I was unable to afford the additional repair. The vehicle was returned to me with the original steering problem unresolved and remains difficult or unsafe to operate. …
A vehicle was purchased at McLarty Daniel Chrysler Bentonville, AR. The sales department had a third party install a non-oem windshield. Dealer attempted repairs, but the records show discrepancies of statements and record. The dealer ignored the instructions to recalibrate the windshield, though the receipt stated "elevated risk of collision" if not calibrated. The owner had on going issues that service should have connected to the windshield and calibration. The windshield of this vehicle has immense safety features that were ignored. The liability to willfully hand over the keys of a known unsafe vehicle is high. …
The vehicle didn't automatic update of its "UCONNECT" system without warning after stopping at a gas station. Once the vehicle was turned back on after the update was completed there was a light on my dashboard signaling that the forward collision warning system is off. Some other things happened as well such as all my settings were reverted back to factory settings, and the menu screen was in Italian. After online research, it seems that this is a very common problem with the specific model. I was able to revert everything except for the Ford Collision , warning, which still states that it is OFF, after the update. After communicating all this information with Jeep, they want me to pay for a repair that was due to their system update.
My Jeep over the last year has automatically put itself into park while I'm driving down the highway! I've had near miss accidents due to this. No warning lights, no signs something is wrong. It just either slams itself into park and locks up, then won't turn off. The last times without warning my engine shuts off, my screen pops up saying put into park to start engine and the vehicle puts itself into park automatically. It's happens fast to! I was swerved by other drivers each time. Jeep will do NOTHING about this! My power steering goes out randomly also. This has happened more than once since the end of 2023! I'm now scared to drive it.
Collision Avoidance complaints in other Grand Cherokee L years
Frequently asked questions
How common are collision avoidance problems on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the driver assistance of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 24% of the model year's 91 complaints. The component named most often is warnings (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L collision avoidance problems?
No. NHTSA lists no driver assistance recall for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L collision avoidance problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to driver assistance problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.