Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and attempting to overtake another vehicle. The RPM was extremely elevated; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted the vehicle before resuming normal driving. The contact became aware that, when shifting between automatic and manual driving modes, the vehicle operated normally without hesitating. The vehicle was taken to several dealers on several occasions; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. In addition, the headlights occasionally shut off unexpectedly while driving at night. The contact would pull over and wait for the headlights to return before resuming normal driving. …
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that he had to manually hold the high-beam headlights switch with his left hand while driving for the high-beam headlights to operate as needed. The contact stated that the high-beam headlights would deactivate and not operate as needed without the switch being held. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure, but the vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V797000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the low beam headlights were inoperable. The contact attempted to set the headlight knob from automatic to manual however, the low beam headlights failed to function as needed. The contact stated that the high beam headlights and running lights operated as designed. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who checked the fuse box and determined that the fuses for the lighting system were functioning as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V950000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V544000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the taillights failed to illuminate. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was approximately 16,300. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the headlight switch set to the Automatic Off/On position, the headlights blinked continuously, the bulb became red, and then the headlights became inoperable. While the headlight switch was in the on position, the headlights operated as designed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V950000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V544000 (Exterior Lighting) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the rear taillights failed to function as needed while driving at night. The contact stated that the taillights operated while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 17,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, another driver alerted the contact that the taillights failed to illuminate as needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V544000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
On Feb 14th 2023 I hit a deer. Got out of my jeep to check damage. Had a broken headlamp overall seemed OK & repairable. Got back in the jeep & continued driving. When I got home & parked in my garage I noticed an odd smell. Looked at the jeep noticed a small fire. Backed the jeep out of the garage & called the fire department. By the time the fire department arrived the entire front of the jeep was on fire. My jeep ended up being a total loss. What is going on with the lights that they would catch fire?
On 12/31/2022, I received six notifications from my app regarding "theft alarm triggered". Go outside horn is honking. Turn off and continued. January 2, 2023 I brought vehicle into jeep as my entire dash was glitching in and out. Couldn't see my speed limit. Interior lights were turning on and off. Back light on interior tailgate was blinking. They had my car a few days and it was "fixed". February 3, 2023 vehicle wouldn't start. Replaced battery. Vehicle dash began glitching, interior lights turning on and off and theft alarm notifications. Brought into jeep they said it was the battery even though we just replaced battery. They replaced battery and called me to pick up the next day. 2/7/2023 same issues began occurring. However, when car was powered off, a buzzing sound was heard and interior lights were turning on and off. 2/8/2023 vehicle would not start. …
High beams will not activate while car is in "Auto Headlamp" mode. If you toggle the high beam stalk nothing happens. I have to physically hold the high beam stalk down for the lamps to work while in "auto" mode. If I want to use the high beams without holding the stalk down I have to switch the Headlamps to the "on" position using the headlamp control switch. Using my hand to hold down the stalk in order to access my high beams is a huge safety hazard requiring me to have only one hand on the steering wheel. Switching the headlamp mode to auto to access my high beams is more hazardous as I have to take my eyes off the road to find the control switch. There is no "automatic high beam" mode available through my vehicles on board options. This has been an issue since I purchased the vehicle new. …
Related recalls
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.
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.
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.
Headlight complaints in other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has 42 complaints about the lights of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 10% of the model year's 409 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 22V-544 (tail lights, Jul 28, 2022); NHTSA recall 21V-950 (software, Dec 9, 2021); NHTSA recall 21V-797 (headlights, Oct 14, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 19,000 miles, and 57% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to lights 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.