NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
160 reports88,000 miles · Apr 14, 2026
Power Train
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle abruptly lost automotive power, and the vehicle coasted to the side of the roadway. The contact stated the power transfer unit had failed, causing the transmission to become inoperable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed wi…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle abruptly lost automotive power, and the vehicle coasted to the side of the roadway. The contact stated the power transfer unit had failed, causing the transmission to become inoperable. The vehicle was towed to a dealer and was diagnosed with PTU failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #11731180
Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2026
Seat Belts
Seatbelt failure in a 2021 Jeep Cherokee at approximately 80,000 miles. The seatbelt is not functioning properly and does not operate as intended, creating a safety concern. The issue was diagnosed by the dealership, who confirmed the seatbelt failure and stated repairs are needed. I was quoted $522 for the repair, and only part…
Read full complaint
Seatbelt failure in a 2021 Jeep Cherokee at approximately 80,000 miles. The seatbelt is not functioning properly and does not operate as intended, creating a safety concern. The issue was diagnosed by the dealership, who confirmed the seatbelt failure and stated repairs are needed. I was quoted $522 for the repair, and only partial goodwill assistance has been offered. Despite this being a critical safety component, I have not been provided a loaner or rental vehicle while the repair is expected to take 5–10 days. This leaves me without safe transportation. I am concerned about the safety risk of a failed seatbelt and the lack of full support for a safety-related defect
NHTSA ODI #11727980
92,000 miles · Mar 24, 2026
Electrical System
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the radio went black, with the message "Re-insert USB" displayed. The contact was unable to use the radio. Additionally, the rear-view camera, the AC/HEAT settings, and other safety features were inoperable and unavailable. The…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the radio went black, with the message "Re-insert USB" displayed. The contact was unable to use the radio. Additionally, the rear-view camera, the AC/HEAT settings, and other safety features were inoperable and unavailable. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the radio needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired because the parts were no longer being manufactured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the parts were no longer being manufactured. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.
NHTSA ODI #11726699
Mileage unknown · Mar 24, 2026
Electrical SystemEngineForward Collision Avoidance
I purchased this 2021 Jeep Cherokee, and it has developed a life-threatening defect where it performs an uncommanded braking while driving at speed. Without any warning the car slams on the brakes creating an immediate risk of a Rear end collision. Diagnostic scans show multiple critical failures: PO128 (the initial warning of a…
Read full complaint
I purchased this 2021 Jeep Cherokee, and it has developed a life-threatening defect where it performs an uncommanded braking while driving at speed. Without any warning the car slams on the brakes creating an immediate risk of a Rear end collision. Diagnostic scans show multiple critical failures: PO128 (the initial warning of a computer communication issues). Dealership (Echo Park) refuses to fix with the proper OEM part and denies my warranty, (I called it in on day 15 on my Warranty, 01/28/26) I let them know the fans were loud, RPMs fluctuating, tailpipe full of black soot and making a loud sputtering, this is burning up my fuel fast. My appt was on 02/10/26 They said there was nothing wrong with it. A couple weeks go by and then the check engine light turned on (after my Warranty) i took it back on 03/19/26, They visually verified the code, said I had to pay out of pocket to fix it with an aftermarket part not the OEM part. They set up an appt for 03/25/26. UO128 (lost communication with brake control module) and C008E-00(ECU internal performance). These codes are directly linked to the NHTSA safety investigation PE22- 009. When I took the vehicle to Allways [XXX] on March 23, 2026, the Service Department refused to perform a safety inspection without an upfront payment, despite the vehicle having exposed wiring in the steering column and part of an active federal safety probe. As a small business owner (Maid To Sparkle) grandmother who transports a [XXX] daily, I am now stranded with a vehicle that is unsafe to drive due to a documented a manufacturer defect. While at the dealership I was simultaneously on the phone with Jeep Customer Care. Despite the vehicle being under federal safety investigation for the exact ghost breaking I am experiencing both the dealer and corporate representative denied assistance and refused a safety inspection without an upfront fee This shows a coordinated refusal to address a documented safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA),
NHTSA ODI #11726675
44,600 miles · Mar 18, 2026
Power Train
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost 4WD functionality. The message “Service 4WD” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the 4WD actuator had failed and the transmission needed to be replaced. T…
Read full complaint
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost 4WD functionality. The message “Service 4WD” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the 4WD actuator had failed and the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due the part to repair the vehicle not being available. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 44,600.
NHTSA ODI #11725338
Mileage unknown · Mar 9, 2026
Service Brakes
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee sporadically and infrequently engages the parking brake and hazard flashers. In order to disengage it, the car must be put in park and turned off then on, sometimes repeatedly. It has happened multiple times when the car is at a stop and in drive (at a stoplight, etc.) Recently it started happening whil…
Read full complaint
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee sporadically and infrequently engages the parking brake and hazard flashers. In order to disengage it, the car must be put in park and turned off then on, sometimes repeatedly. It has happened multiple times when the car is at a stop and in drive (at a stoplight, etc.) Recently it started happening while driving. The parking brake engaged and the car slammed to a stop nearly causing the car behind me to rear-end me. The dealership's service department has not been able to duplicate the problem or find any codes indicating a problem. They confirmed the software is up to date.
NHTSA ODI #11723032
Mileage unknown · Mar 3, 2026
Power Train
The 948TE 9-speed automatic transmission failed at approximately 75,000 miles on my 2021 Jeep Cherokee V6 80th Anniversary Edition. The Engine light eliminated while traveling down the highway. No noise or indication of engine or transmission trouble, Decided to head directly to the dealership. When I approached my first light o…
Read full complaint
The 948TE 9-speed automatic transmission failed at approximately 75,000 miles on my 2021 Jeep Cherokee V6 80th Anniversary Edition. The Engine light eliminated while traveling down the highway. No noise or indication of engine or transmission trouble, Decided to head directly to the dealership. When I approached my first light off the exit (still no sign of trouble) the vehicle rolled backwards. Applying breaks to avoid collisions with vehicles behind, I tried accelerating with little to no power from the transmission. The vehicle is currently at an authorized Jeep dealership and available for inspection. This condition created a safety risk because the vehicle hesitated entering traffic and rolled backward while stopped, increasing the risk of collisions. An engine warning light illuminated while driving prior to complete drivability failure. Symptoms included delayed engagement and slipping from a stop, which worsened rapidly after the warning light appeared. The failure has been diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized Jeep dealership, which determined the transmission requires full replacement. The vehicle has been inspected by the dealership service department. No crash occurred, so no police or insurance inspection was involved. Jeep dealership would not offer any goodwill assistance despite being just outside the threshold for drivetrain warranty.
NHTSA ODI #11721829
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2026
Unknown Or Other
The interior screen has become pixelated with different colors. This effects my back up camera which is a big safety hazard. All of the climate control, radio and general info are also on this screen. I have not had it diagnosed at the dealership because they charge 160.00 to just hook up to diagnostics.
NHTSA ODI #11714199
Mileage unknown · Jan 28, 2026
Electrical SystemPower TrainUnknown Or Other
the light came on that says cannot move vehicle, it just stopped. The Power Transfer Unit went out--I cannot get a part since it is backordered over 1200 people right now are having issues with the part of the vehicle
NHTSA ODI #11713965
85,541 miles · Jan 27, 2026
Air BagsCrashInjury
Car accident on 1/24 hit tree head on around 35 mph with NO airbags deploying. Suffered from concussion and whiplash, and potential of more serious injury. Insurance will be inspecting vehicle in the next week to determine total loss. No warning lamps, messages or other issues to the car prior to the accident
NHTSA ODI #11713613
Official recalls
4May 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.
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.
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.
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 ↗