2021 Jeep Cherokee Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, 58% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 70,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “power transfer” (16% of reports).
- 100power train complaints
- 70,000median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $3,450typical repair cost reported by owners
- 43%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Power transfer: mentioned in 16 of 100 complaints (16%)
- Service 4WD: mentioned in 13 of 100 complaints (13%)
- Unit ptu: mentioned in 6 of 100 complaints (6%)
- Parking brake: mentioned in 5 of 100 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee at $3,450, and half of them between $1,900 and $4,450.
Based on 6 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2024–2026), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 19 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 100 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 an injury.
Jeep Cherokee power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Cherokee | 3 | 38% | — |
| 2023 Cherokee | 2 | 67% | 11,500 |
| 2022 Cherokee | 28 | 55% | 63,000 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 100 | 58% | 70,000 |
| 2020 Cherokee | 189 | 58% | 64,000 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 821 | 49% | 50,000 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 295 | 43% | 40,500 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 648 | 49% | 46,638 |
| 2016 Cherokee | 632 | 45% | 48,079 |
| 2015 Cherokee | 1,004 | 56% | 24,000 |
| 2014 Cherokee | 1,471 | 56% | 34,000 |
| 2006 Cherokee | 2 | 12% | 26,689 |
| 2001 Cherokee | 24 | 10% | 33,000 |
| 2000 Cherokee | 29 | 8% | 65,325 |
| 1999 Cherokee | 53 | 14% | 70,000 |
| 1998 Cherokee | 65 | 16% | 121,000 |
| 1997 Cherokee | 47 | 12% | 164,000 |
| 1996 Cherokee | 60 | 13% | 112,673 |
| 1995 Cherokee | 43 | 7% | 14,600 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
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.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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…
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the PTU unexpectedly exploded. The contact pushed the vehicle into a parking lot, and the vehicle was then towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2021 Jeep Cherokees have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 100 owner complaints about power train for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee (58% of the 173 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee power train?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list power train. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 70,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
Owners report a typical cost of $3,450 (half paid between $1,900 and $4,450), from 6 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
The most frequent phrase is “power transfer”, in 16 of 100 complaints, followed by “service 4wd” (13).
See all 2021 Jeep Cherokee problems or power train problems across all Cherokee years.