2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has a complaint index of 55 and ranks 10th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 403 complaints, 12 recalls, and 8 reported fires, with Electrical System issues topping the list at 38% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Grand Cherokee years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 403
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 12
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 20
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 8
- Injuries
- 13
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 14 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 13 / 0
Top 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags reportedly fail to deploy during front, rear, and side-impact crashes, including after a related recall repair had already been performed.
- Owners describe fires starting shortly after using the factory remote starter or after minor collisions such as hitting a deer.
- Power steering reportedly cuts out unexpectedly while driving, causing loss of control before assist returns.
- The forward collision/automatic braking system reportedly activates unexpectedly during normal driving, triggering hard braking with no obstacle present.
- Owners report unintended acceleration while parking at low speed, with the vehicle failing to stop 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 data gives the 2021 model a complaint index of 55 and a Caution verdict, ranking 10th worst among 21 model years of the Grand Cherokee. Electrical System problems make up 38% of its complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
- Owner complaints center on the Electrical System (152 complaints, 38% share), Steering (102 complaints, 25% share), and Engine (75 complaints, 19% share), according to NHTSA.
- Does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 Grand Cherokee, covering areas including Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Suspension, Steering, Electrical System, Engine, and Structure & Body. None are marked do-not-drive.
- Are there airbag deployment problems in the 2021 Grand Cherokee?
- NHTSA complaint records include multiple reports of airbags failing to deploy during crashes, including one case after a related recall repair had already been performed.
- How does the 2021 Grand Cherokee compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 55, the 2021 model sits in the middle of the pack, better than Avoid years like 2014 (index 100) and 2012 (index 90) but worse than Good/Best years like 2010 (index 0) and 2017 (index 20).