2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
47/100
#9 most-complained of 16 Grand Cherokee years
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 403 complaints, 12 recalls, and a Complaint Index of 47, ranking 9th of 16 model years — a Good rating relative to other Grand Cherokee years. Electrical System issues lead at 38% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 403
- Recalls
- 12
- Crashes / fires
- 20 / 8
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 14 city / 22 hwy
Top 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System152 (38%)
- Steering102 (25%)
- Engine75 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain58 (14%)
- Other56 (14%)
- Fuel System39 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires35 (9%)
- Brakes30 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras29 (7%)
- Lane Departure29 (7%)
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple frontal, rear-end, and pole-impact crashes, including after a prior recall repair.
- Owners describe electrical fires starting shortly after using the remote starter or after minor front-end damage from hitting a deer.
- Some drivers report the forward collision warning and automatic braking activating unexpectedly during normal traffic conditions.
- Power steering reportedly cut out briefly during low-speed driving, causing loss of control before returning to normal.
- One owner described the vehicle accelerating on its own while parking, jumping a curb despite full brake pressure.
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
12 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 24V436000Jun 13, 2024Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,033,433 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 24V132000Feb 22, 2024Suspension, Wheels & Tires338,238 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 23V577000Aug 14, 2023Collision Avoidance & Cameras162,713 vehicles
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: 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.
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,350
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2021 compared with other Grand Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
- NHTSA lists 403 complaints and 12 recalls for the 2021 Grand Cherokee, giving it a Complaint Index of 47 and a rank of 9th out of 16 model years, which the site rates as Good relative to other Grand Cherokee years.
- What is the top problem area for the 2021 Grand Cherokee?
- Electrical System complaints make up 38% of all reported issues (152 complaints), with a median failure mileage of 13,550 miles, followed by Steering at 25%.
- Does the 2021 Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recalls tied to the 2021 Grand Cherokee, covering areas including Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Suspension, Steering, Electrical System, and Engine.
- How does the 2021 Grand Cherokee compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 47, the 2021 model sits in the middle of the range, well below 2014's index of 100 and 2012's 87, but higher than 2020's 20 and 2016's 7.