PTU failure or blockage. Only 30,000 miles. 3year factory warranty has passed by 2 months, part can be over 2,000$
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cherokee years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
160 reportsThe 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.
I purchased a brand new car and the ABS system keeps failing. My car has passed inspections but for this continues to be a problem
There are times I go to start my car and it has nothing. No lights no door dinging nothing. I started it up on day to go to work and got to the gas station and shut it down to run in quick. Came out 5 mins later and it acted as if someone took my battery out. The car was totally dead. After about 10-15 mins it lit back up and wa…
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There are times I go to start my car and it has nothing. No lights no door dinging nothing. I started it up on day to go to work and got to the gas station and shut it down to run in quick. Came out 5 mins later and it acted as if someone took my battery out. The car was totally dead. After about 10-15 mins it lit back up and was able to start. Another time it happened in the dead of winter and I was picking my son up. We went to get in the car and all 4 doors were opened. No lights came on and wouldn’t start and as my kids shut doors it would flicker. Times it comes back to life and as soon as you hit the start button it goes black again. It’s been at Tristar and c Harper both and cannot replicate so no fix. I’m afraid it’s going to catch fire or something one day. In the shops for a month and a half total and no results. It’s very intermittent so does not do it all the time. Sometimes it will go a month and be fine then act up 3 times in one week. Please help! I don’t feel safe!
While driving the front left wheel started to come off the axel. The stability control light came on prior to the incident. The vehicle was towed to a Chrysler dealership for a mechanic to inspect the vehicle. A mechanic at a Chrysler dealership inspected the vehicle and the following was repairs were needed- new axle shaft, new…
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While driving the front left wheel started to come off the axel. The stability control light came on prior to the incident. The vehicle was towed to a Chrysler dealership for a mechanic to inspect the vehicle. A mechanic at a Chrysler dealership inspected the vehicle and the following was repairs were needed- new axle shaft, new knuckle, and new arm control. The axle broke and knuckle broke which resulted in the tire coming off of the vehicle. A claim was turned into insurance carrier and repairs have been completed to the vehicle.
The Jeep caught fire underneath while I was driving on the highway. There were no warning lamps or symptoms of the problem prior to failure. I saw flames come up over the front of the car and immediately parked and ran with my child. We could have died.The fire and stopped car in the middle of the highway could have caused a pil…
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The Jeep caught fire underneath while I was driving on the highway. There were no warning lamps or symptoms of the problem prior to failure. I saw flames come up over the front of the car and immediately parked and ran with my child. We could have died.The fire and stopped car in the middle of the highway could have caused a pile up of crashes. It is unknown what component or system failed and I don't believe it is available for inspection as State Farm decided not to move forward with inspection. They declared it a total loss.
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
Jeep stuttered and jerked on the freeway and then dropped out of gear. I managed to get to the shoulder but the engine would just rev and not go fwd while in drive or manual mode. I could not engage the parking break and when in park, the jeep would still roll forward. I turned the jeep off and on several times but it would n…
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Jeep stuttered and jerked on the freeway and then dropped out of gear. I managed to get to the shoulder but the engine would just rev and not go fwd while in drive or manual mode. I could not engage the parking break and when in park, the jeep would still roll forward. I turned the jeep off and on several times but it would not engage in forward gear, but the rpms would go up. I could put the jeep in reverse but no forward gear would engage
I've been experiencing repeated instances of my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux 4X4 shutting off while I'm driving, without any warning lights. The message "Shift to P to start" appears on the screen. On several occasions, the car shut off unexpectedly, almost causing accidents. Despite multiple visits to the IG Burton service d…
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I've been experiencing repeated instances of my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux 4X4 shutting off while I'm driving, without any warning lights. The message "Shift to P to start" appears on the screen. On several occasions, the car shut off unexpectedly, almost causing accidents. Despite multiple visits to the IG Burton service department, no fault codes were found. Chrysler told them to replace the crank sensor. They were very confident that was the problem, but the issue recurred again 13days after I got the vehicle back. They replaced my fuel pump this time but still have no evidence to prove that is the issue. They continue to guess at parts and I have to be the guinea pig to see if they got it right. This has been its 4th time in the shop and well over 10 time has this vehicle shut off on the highway. I believe jeep should step in at this point and find the cause of this problem or label the vehicle defective if they cannot. This ongoing issue has caused me frustration, anxiety, and safety concerns. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle. Especially after being told the last time they "felt confident" only for me to be stuck waiting for a tow truck in the road a few days later. The uncertainty surrounding the problem and the recurring nature of the incidents have greatly undermined my confidence in the vehicle's reliability and safety. I also have a detailed report of every time the vehicle has shut off/ been to the service department but I can't get it to attach on this site.
ON 5 JANUARY 2024 THE VEHICLE WAS IN MY GARAGE AND WAS DEAD, TRIED TO JUMP START, STILL WOULD NOT START. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, VEHICLE GOT TO DEALER AND THEY USED THEIR JUMP START SYSTEM. DEALER RAN SYSTEM TEST AND CHARGED BATTERY AND FOUND NO FAULTS. OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS CHARHING RATE WAS 14.4V FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN …
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ON 5 JANUARY 2024 THE VEHICLE WAS IN MY GARAGE AND WAS DEAD, TRIED TO JUMP START, STILL WOULD NOT START. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, VEHICLE GOT TO DEALER AND THEY USED THEIR JUMP START SYSTEM. DEALER RAN SYSTEM TEST AND CHARGED BATTERY AND FOUND NO FAULTS. OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS CHARHING RATE WAS 14.4V FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN DROPPED TO 13.6V AND EVENTUALLY DROPPED TO 12.3V BUT THEN WOULD JUMP BETWEEN 12.3V AND 13.6V. ON 25 JANUARY VEHICLE AGAIN DEAD, WILL NOT JUMP START, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AGAIN. AT DEALER NOW, 26 JANUARY SO DEAD KEY FOB WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOOR. DEALER STATES THIS HAS BEEN AM ONGOING COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MODELS THAT USE THE AGM BATTERIES. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 17,000 MILES,
Official recalls
426V290000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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