2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems owners report most
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems are documented in public: owners have filed 406 complaints with NHTSA, the earliest in 2020 and the most recent in 2026. Sorting those by the component the filer named puts the electrical system clearly first, at 114 of the 406 complaints, about a quarter of everything filed.
A complaint is not a repair bill and not a defect finding. It is one owner telling the regulator something went wrong. What makes the count useful is the concentration: when one component takes 28 per cent of everything filed on a car, the pattern is doing more than chance.
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 114 | 28% |
| STEERING | 102 | 25% |
| ENGINE | 60 | 15% |
| POWER TRAIN | 58 | 14% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 55 | 14% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 42 | 10% |
Against the 2020 car, this model year has drawn 69 per cent more complaints (406 against 240). Both years are led by the electrical system, so this is a fault that carried over rather than one introduced with the 2021 car. A rise is worth more attention than a fall here, because a newer car has had fewer years on the road to accumulate reports.
Of those complaints, 20 describe a crash and 8 describe a fire. Filers reported 13 injuries.
Recalls on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator found a safety defect, and the repair is free at a franchised dealer however old the car is. There are 12 recalls on this model year. Your own car may be covered by some, all or none of them, so check the VIN rather than the model.
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk. Difficulty activating the headlight high beams may result in reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y66.
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 Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk. Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y72.
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."
The risk. A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y67.
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.
The risk. Disabled air bags can increase the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.
The fix. 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.
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 Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."
The risk. A missing weld may allow the child seat tether to separate from the seat frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix. 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. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Z24.
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.
The risk. An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.
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 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk. A tail light side marker that does not illuminate can reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. Dealers will inspect and replace both body-mounted tail light assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 8, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z50.
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.
The risk. A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the intermediate shaft and assembly parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 58A.
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.
The risk. Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 64A. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall 26V051. All vehicles will need to have the new recall remedy performed.
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."
The 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.
The fix. 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.
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.
The risk. A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
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."
The risk. A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix. 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.
In owners own words
These are complaints filed about the electrical system, quoted as written. They are one persons account rather than a diagnosis, and they are here because a symptom described by a driver is easier to recognise than a component name.
My 21 Jeep Cherokee shipped from Detroit Stellantis HUGE cover up FLOOD car. My JEEP is 8 mons new. I leased it 12/7 contacted Uconnect on 12/13 for Powertrain Malfunction indicator light on. Dealer claims vehicle health reports aren’t accurate. At dealer 3/14/22 service found stored fault for oil, low oil, carpet was destroyed, getting oil changed at 2300 miles. Dealer only recorded oil change on car fax. 3/31st- June I filed a buy back claim w/ Chrysler. Chrysler denied. At dealer 6/11 code P060A, stop/ start doesn’t work, car stalls, radio turns up/down on its own, center consaul base poppe
-The new 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L-Limited was made to be a third, row off-road, all weather driven vehicle. #1: The front windshield is flush with the front pillars. This causes accumulated snow or off-road dirt to easily be pushed to the driver side window (with no way to wash off) and blocking the driver’s side mirror. This makes it impossible to to use the blind spot light on the side mirror. In my case, I had audio alarm turned off as not to wake the kids while driving across the country. So I had a couple of near misses until I was able to stop, clean the driver’s window and turn t
During the first 3,000 miles of owning the vehicle, on 3 separate occasions, the vehicle has failed to shift from first to second gear, appearing to get stuck in neutral. Because this is occurring when the vehicle is first beginning to accelerate this is happening when entering intersections, changing lanes, and crossing lanes causing the vehicle to rev while either coasting (due to the positive motion prior to shifting) or sit motionless when on-coming traffic is approaching. The only way to get the vehicle back in motion is to completely stop the vehicle (irrespective of the dangerous loca
On May 4, 2023, immediately upon starting the car, warning lights were illuminated: Blind Spot Alert Unavailable - Service Required; Stop/Start Unavailable Service Stop/Start System; Service Electronic Stability Control; Oil Change Required; Service Power Steering; Check Engine Light. Vehicle had no power steering. It was taken to the dealership several hours later, and at that time no warning lights came on and the car had power steering. Dealership indicated that there was nothing wrong with the vehicle. On July 1, while driving 75 mph on I-95 in New Hampshire, while on a road trip from
Every component, by complaint count
The full breakdown of what owners named when they filed. Components below the top ten are grouped out of this table.
| Component | Complaints | Share of all complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 114 | 28% |
| STEERING | 102 | 25% |
| ENGINE | 60 | 15% |
| POWER TRAIN | 58 | 14% |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 55 | 14% |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 42 | 10% |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 38 | 9% |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 32 | 8% |
| SUSPENSION | 30 | 7% |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 29 | 7% |
What parts cost for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Prices read from one AutoZone store for this exact year, make and model, covering 8 kinds of part and 292 products. AutoZone year, make and model catalog prices. Engine, trim, transmission and VIN fitment are not confirmed. They are what the shelf said on the day, not a quote.
Owners report the electrical system more than anything else on this car, which sends them shopping for one of these:
- Battery $147.99 to $379.99
Parts only. Labour, tax and anything else the job turns up are on top.
| Part | Listed | Range | Typical |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery | 10 | $147.99 to $379.99 | $289.99 |
| Brake rotors | 50 | $71.99 to $771.99 | $143.99 |
| Brake pads partial | 93 | $43.99 to $361.99 | $76.99 |
| Engine air filter | 9 | $20.99 to $83.99 | $36.99 |
| Cabin air filter partial | 8 | $19.99 to $47.99 | $25.99 |
| Wiper blades partial | 48 | $10.39 to $42.99 | $19.99 |
| Oil filter | 28 | $5.99 to $62.99 | $16.49 |
| Spark plugs | 46 | $4.39 to $27.99 | $12.99 |
The cheapest way to keep it serviced
Taking the lowest listed price in each routine maintenance category, the filters, plugs and wipers for this car come to $61.75 in parts. That is parts alone, before labour, tax and the oil itself, and it assumes the cheapest option fits your engine.
Battery. 10 products listed, from the Odyssey Extreme Group Size U1 Powersport Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery ODS-AGM14 at $147.99 up to the OPTIMA Yellow Top Group Size 94R / H7 Absorbed Glass Mat (AGM) Battery DH7 at $379.99. A refundable core deposit of $22.00 is charged on top and returned with the old part. AutoZone's own labels account for 5 of them, starting at $159.99.
Brake rotors. 50 products listed, from the R1 Concepts Disc Brake Rotor ERE-42006 at $71.99 up to the Duralast Composite Disc Brake Rotor 72224DLC at $771.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 9 of them, starting at $109.99.
Engine air filter. 9 products listed, from the K&N Advantage Air Filter KNA-2457 at $20.99 up to the K&N Performance Air Filter 33-5077 at $83.99. AutoZone's own labels account for 3 of them, starting at $21.99.
Fitment is by year, make and model only. Engine, trim and transmission were not selected, so confirm the part number against your own car before buying. Prices change and vary by store.
How other model years compare
The same nameplate across the years we hold. Complaint counts fall naturally for newer cars because fewer of them have been on the road for long, so read the column as a rough signal rather than a ranking. In this set the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee has drawn the most complaints and the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee the fewest.
What to check on the electrical system
Electrical reports cover a wide spread: screens that reboot, cameras that go black, charging that stops, and warning lights that arrive in groups. The common thread is that the fault comes and goes, which makes it hard to show a mechanic on demand.
Buying a used 2021 Grand Cherokee
Sit in the car with the engine running and work through every switch, screen and camera before you talk about price. An intermittent fault that appears once during a ten minute check is likely to appear often once you own it.
If you already own one
Have the battery and charging system tested before replacing any module. A weak battery produces electrical faults that look like a dozen separate failures, and the test is free at most parts retailers.
- Test every screen, camera and switch before agreeing a price.
- Have the battery and alternator tested before replacing a module.
- Ask for stored fault codes, including the ones already cleared.
- Check whether the fault is covered by a software update.
Where the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problem data comes from
Every figure on this page is counted from complaints and recalls published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, read October 12, 2026. Complaints are filed by owners and are not verified by the agency before publication. We count each complaint once per component it names, so a complaint naming two components appears in both rows.
- NHTSA recalls and complaintsRead October 12, 2026
- NHTSA record for the 2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeRead October 12, 2026
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