Most common 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of the 409 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Jeep Grand Cherokee complaints by model year
Best Grand Cherokee years: 2016, 2020, 2017. Years to avoid: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024, 2023. Compare all years →
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls (12)
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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.
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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint
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.
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.
Back over prevention › Display function
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.
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.
Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil springs
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.
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.
Steering › Column
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Tail lights
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.
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.
Show 6 more recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)
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.
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.
Seats › Critical fasteners
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Lighting control module › Software
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.
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.
Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module › Software
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.
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.
Exterior lighting › Headlights
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.
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.
Back over prevention › Sensing system › Camera
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."
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.
What 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners say
Electrical system all 115 →
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced a computer failure, causing an unknown module to be replaced. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 10-15 MPH and pulling out of the parking lot, the message "Activate The SOS" was displayed. The contact called Jeep Emergency System Department and inquired about assistance with turning off the emergency system and was informed that there was no indication that the SOS system message had been activated. The contact parked, turned off, and restarted the vehicle; however, the instrument panel lights and center display failed to activate even though the engine was still running. The vehicle lost motive power independently turned off and failed to restart. …
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that whenever the heat or a/c was turned on, the cabin filter would release an unknown black substance into the air, causing his eyes to burn. The objects in the glove box were covered in an unknown black substance. The contact was concerned that the unknown substance could cause cancer and other health issues to himself and his passengers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer informed the contact that there was nothing they could do and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer also referred the contact to another dealer Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Roseville (25800 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, MI 48066) and sent a new glove box for replacement. …
Steering all 102 →
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while accelerating after having stopped at a traffic signal at approximately 15 MPH she felt the steering wheel had locked, pulled the vehicle to the right, and crashed into a guard rail. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle's front end had been damaged. The contact stated that both the driver's and passenger side front tires had also been damaged by the crash into the guard rail. The contact stated that police were on the scene and wrote a report. The contact stated she had been treated by EMS, but was not transported to a hospital. The contact stated she had pain in her neck and both shoulders. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic in her home state. …
The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while making a left-hand turn, the wheels on the vehicle failed to follow the trajectory of the movement and failed to function as intended, and moved toward the curb. The vehicle came to a stop when it hit the curb. It was unknown if any warning lights were illuminated. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. The contact exited the vehicle, and upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front right and rear passenger-side tires were facing inwards. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The contact was not injured. No police report was filed. The insurance company was notified and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.
Engine & cooling all 62 →
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that whenever the heat or a/c was turned on, the cabin filter would release an unknown black substance into the air, causing his eyes to burn. The objects in the glove box were covered in an unknown black substance. The contact was concerned that the unknown substance could cause cancer and other health issues to himself and his passengers. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer informed the contact that there was nothing they could do and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened. The manufacturer also referred the contact to another dealer Golling Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Roseville (25800 Gratiot Ave, Roseville, MI 48066) and sent a new glove box for replacement. …
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was large puff of smoke coming from the driver's side of the vehicle while coming to a stop. The contact became aware of a brake fluid leak, causing a complete loss of brake pressure and braking power. The brake fluid was leaking more when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic and the technicians discovered that the catalytic converter was melted, causing severe heat damage to the adjacent brake lines. The contact stated no other parts were damaged. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the technicians were unable to duplicate the original failure. The dealer was unable to determine what caused the catalytic converter to collapse onto the heat shield near the brake lines. …
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 26 / 21 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 25 / 21 |
| 5.7L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 14 / 22 / 17 |
| 6.4L 8-cyl | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
| 6.2L 8-cyl supercharged | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 11 / 17 / 13 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good car?
Based on 409 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Grand Cherokee rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Grand Cherokee at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The electrical system — 115 complaints, 28% of all complaints for this model year, most often about instrument cluster/panel. Next are the steering (102) and engine & cooling (62).
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
There are 12 recalls for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent from June 13, 2024 (camera). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2016, 2020 and 2017. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014, 2012, 2011, 2024 and 2023. See the full Jeep Grand Cherokee years comparison.
At what mileage do 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 18,000 miles; 82% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.