2021 Jeep Cherokee Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Cherokee years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 15th of 19 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4 out of 5 stars
Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. That ranks 15th out of 19 Cherokee model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is power train (103 complaints, 59%), typically at around 70,000 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 4 fires, 8 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.
- 176owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Jeep Cherokee problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 103 | 59% | 70,000 | “power transfer” (17%) | $3,450 |
| Engine | 28 | 16% | 27,028 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 26 | 15% | 2,778 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 23 | 13% | 45,050 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 13 | 7% | 1,400 | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 11 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 9 | 5% | 34,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 3% | 3,055 | — | — |
| Suspension | 5 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 1% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Insert, Padding | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 1% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1% | 3,912 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 1% | 14,074 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Jeep Cherokee recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Power train
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
Air bags:side/window:curtain
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the right-side curtain air bag may prevent the air bag from deploying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 71B.
Power train:automatic transmission:cooler/radiator:hoses and fittings
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the hose, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y18.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude and Jeep Cherokee Limited vehicles. One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving.
Risk: A front lower control arm fracture while driving may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front lower control arms and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W81. Note: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired if needed.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
My 2021 Jeep Cherokee suffered a complete failure of its 1-speed PTU and ESM module, causing a loss of 4WD capabilities. This is the exact same failure mechanism and safety risk outlined in recall 40D, but 1 speed units are being excluded from coverage. My vehicle is at dealership awaiting for this…
SVC 4WD light came on the dashboard. Took to the dealership, they said it was a PTU issue and it needed to be replaced. $3800 and 45 days to fix. NHTSA notes recalls for my year make and model for my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux but does not show a recall for my specific VIN#. Jeep says nothing…
PTU issue- located a recall for 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee Power Transfer Unit recall; my VIN wasn't one the ones listed. took vehicle to the local jeep dealership and the advised that PTU internal damage needs to be fixed.
Jeep Cherokee suffered the exact PTU failure detailed in NHTSA Campaign 26V290, and it has been sitting at a dealership since August 17 because the manufacturer has failed to provide a remedy. Dealership confirmed the issue is a PTU failure. Has been almost 2 months since the PTU failed and there…
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the transmission was hesitating while attempting to accelerate after the vehicle was started and slowly accelerated to the intended speed. While driving, the transmission was shifted to Sports Mode and manual shift mode to drive the…
Other Jeep Cherokee years
← 2020 Cherokee · 2022 Cherokee →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Cherokee | 8 | 4 |
| 2023 Cherokee | 3 | 1 |
| 2022 Cherokee | 51 | 3 |
| 2021 | 176 | 4 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 325 | 3 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 1,661 | 11 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 687 | 7 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 1,337 | 6 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 1,410 | 9 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 1,789 | 11 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 2,650 | 13 |
| 2006 Cherokee | 17 | 0 |
| 2001 Cherokee | 229 | 2 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 369 | 1 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 366 | 2 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 399 | 5 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 390 | 4 |
| 1996 Cherokee | 447 | 6 |
| 1995 Cherokee | 608 | 6 |
See all Jeep Cherokee problems by year, every Jeep model, or the Jeep VIN decoder.
Similar Jeep models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
Owners most often report power train, engine, unknown or other problems. The top one, power train, accounts for 103 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Jeep Cherokee a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Cherokee model years, the 2021 has far fewer complaints than most years, and NHTSA rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.