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2021 Jeep Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 113.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 30 of 160 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 92 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

10 crash reports4 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

92 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2025
Power TrainService BrakesCrash

The vehicle gave us a service 4wd warning on my wife's way home from work. The car had numerous issues driving it home. It wouldn't move in drive, until it was put in park and then back into drive and it would automatically engage the parking brake. Once she brought it home I went to check the vehicle. I got into the vehicle, …

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The vehicle gave us a service 4wd warning on my wife's way home from work. The car had numerous issues driving it home. It wouldn't move in drive, until it was put in park and then back into drive and it would automatically engage the parking brake. Once she brought it home I went to check the vehicle. I got into the vehicle, put it into reverse and backed up the driveway. Once I stopped and placed the vehicle in drive it automatically engaged the parking brake. I put the vehicle in drive disengaged the brake pulled the car forward toward my house. I stopped the car placed it in park. The vehicle kept rolling about 2 ft. Into my garage door and then engaged the parking brake.. I don't know what is wrong, I have never seen a vehicle do this. I have checked and this is a common problem. I don't know why this isn't recalled. It is a dangerous vehicle like this.

NHTSA ODI #11635030

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2024
Power Train

PTU is going out causing jeep to not have 4wd. 67k miles. Causing the jeep to not be able to get traction on a busy highway causing a traffic jam in snow. Putting people’s safety at jeopardy.

NHTSA ODI #11632934

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2024
Power Train

Driving on the road when the power transfer unit failed. Car would was not in gear, was able to get to side of road but could have been very dangerous. Towed to dealer and was told that part is on back order and would be 1-2 months to get it and there are55 on back order. Factory has hold on them. This is warranty under the pow…

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Driving on the road when the power transfer unit failed. Car would was not in gear, was able to get to side of road but could have been very dangerous. Towed to dealer and was told that part is on back order and would be 1-2 months to get it and there are55 on back order. Factory has hold on them. This is warranty under the power train and should be in stock . This type of failure could cause a crash and possible death. Should be a rercall.

NHTSA ODI #11628245

Mileage unknown · Sep 20, 2024
Power Train

Powertrain unit failed at 74k mileage. This is a chronic issue with Jeep Cherokees and cost $3,400 to repair as warranty expired at 60k.

NHTSA ODI #11615629

Mileage unknown · Jul 19, 2024
Power Train

PTU failure or blockage. Only 30,000 miles. 3year factory warranty has passed by 2 months, part can be over 2,000$

NHTSA ODI #11603328

Mileage unknown · Jun 26, 2024
Power Train

The vehicle started jerking and then the front wheel drive would lose power. The 4WD light came on the dash. We took it in and were told there were pieces broken off inside the PTU and the PTU needed to be completely replaced. This happened 600 miles over the manufacture warranty would have replaced it.

NHTSA ODI #11596987

Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2024
Forward Collision AvoidancePower Train

1. Engine timing chain making rattling noise. Yes Automatic Emergency braking activates when there is no collision imminent. Yes 2. Faulty Timing chain can cause significant damage to engine while driving Faulty automatic braking system can cause accident if stopped abruptly in traffic. 3. Timing chain has been inquired by mech…

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1. Engine timing chain making rattling noise. Yes Automatic Emergency braking activates when there is no collision imminent. Yes 2. Faulty Timing chain can cause significant damage to engine while driving Faulty automatic braking system can cause accident if stopped abruptly in traffic. 3. Timing chain has been inquired by mechanic. Video of the noise. Needs to be confirmed by dealer for warranty 4. No 5. No warning

NHTSA ODI #11578648

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2023
Power Train

The rear differential PTU can cause the car to lose all control if it fails and this was a proven issue on previous Cherokee models and this model inherits the same issue

NHTSA ODI #11559701

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2023
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

Engine oil color is made of plastic and can crack and can cause you to lose your engine to no oil pressure and coolant and can cause an accident if you do not know because it would lock up the engine

NHTSA ODI #11559700

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2023
Power Train

The vehicle ran hot, smelled of hot metal and fluids. When moving the transmission from Park to Drive nothing would happen, pressing the accelerator caused the engine to rev, then it would lurch into Drive. Same thing would happen going into reverse. Moving down the road there would be a clunking noise as you accelerated or slow…

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The vehicle ran hot, smelled of hot metal and fluids. When moving the transmission from Park to Drive nothing would happen, pressing the accelerator caused the engine to rev, then it would lurch into Drive. Same thing would happen going into reverse. Moving down the road there would be a clunking noise as you accelerated or slowed down. The car seemed like something was slowing it down , like dragging brakes. This was intermittent for some time and then got worse. The Jeep dealer replicated the problem, did the diagnostics and tried a software fix. Dealer concluded the transmission was so damaged it had to be replaced, which they did under warranty, at 36,000 miles. The transmission could have locked up or slipped into neutral while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11550456

Official recalls

4

26V290000 · Power Train

May 7, 2026

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: 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.

24V516000 · Air Bags:side/window:curtain

Jul 8, 2024

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy: 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.

21V310000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooler/radiator:hoses And Fittings

May 4, 2021

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: 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.

20V657000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm

Oct 27, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.