JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE · model year

2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE

635 NHTSA complaints, 34 crash reports, and 12 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

5 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2021JEEPGRAND CHEROKEE carries 635 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 34 crashes, 11 fires, 23 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2021 GRAND CHEROKEE is electrical system with 105 filings, followed by steering (101) and engine (56). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 12 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 6 investigation files overlapping the 2021 GRAND CHEROKEE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

635
Complaints
34
Crashes
11
Fires
23
Injuries
0
Deaths
2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. Overall composite: 5.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 5.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 5.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 5.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

635 filings

Crashes Reported

34 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 5/5 — Top NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 5/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM105
STEERING101
ENGINE56
UNKNOWN OR OTHER53
POWER TRAIN53
EXTERIOR LIGHTING39
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM32
SERVICE BRAKES28
SUSPENSION26
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING19
AIR BAGS18
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL16
LANE DEPARTURE: WARNING14
LANE DEPARTURE: ASSIST12
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS8

Recalls (12)

22V54400028/07/2022

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 1

22V28400028/04/2022

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.

22V18000024/03/2022

CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE TETHER ANCHOR

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Sta

24V13200022/02/2024

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.

21V72900021/09/2021

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES

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."

23V35200018/05/2023

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.

21V79700014/10/2021

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. A

23V57700014/08/2023

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 re

24V43600013/06/2024

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 rear

21V87300010/11/2021

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.

21V95000009/12/2021

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle

23V41300008/06/2023

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.

Recent Complaints

20260219SEAT BELTS

Driver's seat belt retractor doesn't retract all of the time. Hangs up & leaves slack. Bought car & wasn't as bad. Didn't talk to dealer until now. Drove car 800 miles & 4 months since purchase. Dealer service dept says no extended warranty etc. I'm past the original warranty period & the 3 month certified used car warranty. Car was sold on Oct 14, 2025. The equipment checklist form marked that all safety systems were working. I feel a slack belt, getting worse is a safety issue the manufacturer should fix in a 5 year old car. Date is now when it's gotten really slow. It was somewhat that way at purchase. Needed to be shook to retract. Al

20260219ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The screen for mapping other controls is delaminating, creating a safety and distraction hazard

20260216POWER TRAIN

REPEATED CAM SHAFT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENBED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. IT IS CURRENTLY AT A STELLANTIS DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN. THERE IS USUALLY N O PRIOR WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AS SOON AS THE ISSUE STARTS.

20260209UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving on the highway. There were no other vehicles nearby. I heard a loud pop/bang. I thought a tire burst but then discovered the back windshield had shattered

20260209SUSPENSION

Over the past year, I've noticed a suspension-related squeak - increasing in frequency - coming from the rear of my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited vehicle. I brought this to the attention of the Jeep dealer service dept where I purchased the vehicle, as well as to another independent auto repair shop, and both indicated they could not find anything wrong. Today, I saw news on the internet of the Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited "rear coil spring" issue as described in this Safety Recall report [XXX] and now believe the noise I've been hearing may be related to this recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20260207EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Car has 28k miles. It is driven by a 84 year old. It is a Jeep GC Summit which is top of the line for Jeep. Both headlights were blown and the dash warning system never alerted that the lights were out. Car is equipped with the headlight monitoring system. She never drives at night so I cannot give you an exact date but we think it has been out since 2024 which is the last Texas inspection it had and passed. Contacted Jeep Wave with concern and was blown off and sent to a VM which was never returned. You have a recall for the Laredo and Overland models but not the Summit. The DRL lights thankfully are bright but you still need headlights. Car has been set to auto for headlights due to her age. I am hoping you give this a serious look. I posted on Facebook and other people are having the same issues with the Summits. You have no headlights and nothing saying they are out.

20260130CrashSTEERING

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.

Mileage: 127,000

20260124ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This vehicle has ongoing issues with electrical systems. Any time temperature drops into negative digits the vehicle will drain both batteries to the point the auto is inoperable. Further jump starting the vehicle in a very low battery state is a futile venture. The issue leaves the vehicle and it's occupants stranded in sub-zero conditions.

20260124ENGINE

This vehicle has ongoing issues with electrical systems. Any time temperature drops into negative digits the vehicle will drain both batteries to the point the auto is inoperable. Further jump starting the vehicle in a very low battery state is a futile venture. The issue leaves the vehicle and it's occupants stranded in sub-zero conditions.

20260111ENGINE

I am reporting a potential safety-related defect involving my Chrysler vehicle equipped with a V6 Pentastar engine. During a routine oil change a few weeks ago, I was informed by the service provider that my engine oil level was extremely low, despite the oil change being performed earlier than the recommended interval. This was alarming, as the vehicle had not shown any warning lights or obvious leaks. The service provider advised me that Chrysler vehicles with the V6 Pentastar engine have a known issue related to a defective engine seal that can cause excessive oil consumption. I was told that Chrysler is aware of this issue, that it has been the subject of class action lawsuits, but that it has not been formally recalled. I have since submitted my information to a class action settlement related to this issue but have not received any response. Due to the risk of engine damage, sudden failure, or safety hazards while driving, I believe this issue should be formally reviewed and do

20260111FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The 2021 Jeep grand cherokee I owned had problem when I started the vehicle It would not start and had to do it again and again to restart which damaged the starter and batteries I suffered a big monetary loss when I traded this car as Chrysler and Stellantis refused to acknowledge the recall of the fuel pump relay

20260106POWER TRAIN

35000 miles 4 wheel drive transfer case went bad. Company honored full repairs. I was the second owner of this vehicle.

20251221CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

I was driving north on I64, and a car in front of me suddenly stopped. Cruise control was on, but when i applied the brake, my car did not stopped, and cruise control speed up, before decreasing speed. Instead of turning off, and allowing the car to slow down. I had to swerve, causing to go off on the side of the highway, and held my foot on the brake for almost a mile, along the side of the highway, before the car came to a stop

20251221CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

I was driving north on I64, and a car in front of me suddenly stopped. Cruise control was on, but when i applied the brake, my car did not stopped, and cruise control speed up, before decreasing speed. Instead of turning off, and allowing the car to slow down. I had to swerve, causing to go off on the side of the highway, and held my foot on the brake for almost a mile, along the side of the highway, before the car came to a stop

20251221CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

I was driving north on I64, and a car in front of me suddenly stopped. Cruise control was on, but when i applied the brake, my car did not stopped, and cruise control speed up, before decreasing speed. Instead of turning off, and allowing the car to slow down. I had to swerve, causing to go off on the side of the highway, and held my foot on the brake for almost a mile, along the side of the highway, before the car came to a stop

20251125FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

My jeep started on fire in my garage. I put my items for the day in my jeep then started it the garage door was open. I started it at 0557. I went and got my son dressed brought him to the living room I heard noises from outside in the garage. I opened the door in the house to the garage, and it was full of smoke. There were flames coming from the front of the jeep. I called 911 at 0603. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? UNKOWEN How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The jeep engulfed in flame very quickly. If it wasn't for the quick thinking of my fiancé our home would have been a total loss as well. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? No, I have a complaint going with the BBB Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Police yes my jeep was bunted to the frame. Were there any wa

20251120ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Constant problems with starter engaging and not starting vehicle. This form only gave me one option for date; This has happened multiple times. This is a defective part, I went to Dick Scott dealership, tech wrote to check car and did not note defective starter; Wanted me to pay $118 to inspect the jeep. In the warranty jargon, it stated if it was a defective part, it would be replaced. I only have 32000 miles on the vehicle.

20251119POWER TRAIN

Transmission failure at 19,481 miles in my 2021Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 V6. The vehicle has not been abused, and the mileage is low for its age. The symptoms—erratic shifting, limp mode, and “Service Transmission” warnings— are consistent with a known defect pattern affecting multiple FCA vehicles using the same transmission.

20251116FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE ISSUE IS IN STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PUSH THE START BUTTON, THE VEHICLE STARTS, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO TURN WITHOUT STOPPING AND TURNING OVER. I THEN PUSH THE START BUTTON AGAIN TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT, AND THEN IT WILL START NORMALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUSH THE START BUTTON, NOTHING HAPPENS, AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. IT TAKES A SECOND ATTEMPT TO START NORMALLY

20251116ENGINE

THE ISSUE IS IN STARTING THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PUSH THE START BUTTON, THE VEHICLE STARTS, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO TURN WITHOUT STOPPING AND TURNING OVER. I THEN PUSH THE START BUTTON AGAIN TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT, AND THEN IT WILL START NORMALLY. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS. ALSO, SOMETIMES WHEN YOU PUSH THE START BUTTON, NOTHING HAPPENS, AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. IT TAKES A SECOND ATTEMPT TO START NORMALLY

Compare 2021JEEPGRAND CHEROKEE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE have?
The 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE has 635 NHTSA complaints, 34 crashes, 11 fires, 23 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
The 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 5/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 5/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
Yes, the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE has 12 recall(s). The most common affected component is EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
The most-complained component for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 105 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include STEERING and ENGINE.
Is the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE has an NHTSA safety rating of 5/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.