High Risk / Avoid NHTSA Record ID #2021-jeep-grand-cherokee

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems & Recalls

Comprehensive defect analysis based on official US Federal safety databases.

← Compare All Grand Cherokee Years
Defect Risk Score
100 / 100
Year to Avoid
Owner Complaints
410
Filed with NHTSA
Safety Recalls
12
Free Dealer Fixes
Incidents Reported
28
20 Crashes • 8 Fires
Advertisement

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Top Failure Categories

Distribution of driver complaints across vehicle components according to federal taxonomy.

Steering System 24.9%
102 reported failures
Electrical System 16.1%
66 reported failures
Powertrain & Transmission 12.4%
51 reported failures
Unknown Or Other 9%
37 reported failures
Exterior Lighting 7.8%
32 reported failures
Engine & Cooling 4.4%
18 reported failures
🚨 Official Federal Campaigns

Official Safety Recalls for 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee (12)

Dealer Repairs are 100% Free
NHTSA Campaign #21V797000 Component: Exterior Lighting:Headlights

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles not equipped with automatic high beams. When the master lighting switch is set to the auto position, the high beam headlights will not activate unless the master lighting switch is first changed to the 'on" position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety Hazard: Difficulty activating the headlight high beams may result in reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y66.

NHTSA Campaign #21V950000 Component: Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with smart lighting modules (SLM). An incomplete SLM software update may cause one or both headlights to become inoperable. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety Hazard: Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the SLM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y72.

NHTSA Campaign #21V729000 Component: Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Safety Hazard: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: FCA US LLC will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y67.

NHTSA Campaign #21V873000 Component: Airbags & Restraints

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may have incorrect software which can disable the driver, passenger, and knee air bags without warning.

Safety Hazard: Disabled air bags can increase the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ORC, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y79.

NHTSA Campaign #22V180000 Component: Child Seat:Vehicle Tether Anchor

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a missing weld from the seat back frame to the child seat tether anchorage. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Safety Hazard: A missing weld may allow the child seat tether to separate from the seat frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Free Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat back frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Z24.

NHTSA Campaign #22V284000 Component: Engine & Cooling

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.

Safety Hazard: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.

NHTSA Campaign #22V544000 Component: Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The tail light side marker assemblies may be damaged and not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Safety Hazard: A tail light side marker that does not illuminate can reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both body-mounted tail light assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 8, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z50.

NHTSA Campaign #23V352000 Component: Steering System

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An incorrectly assembled steering column intermediate shaft may disconnect from the u-joint, and result in a loss of steering control.

Safety Hazard: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the intermediate shaft and assembly parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 58A.

NHTSA Campaign #23V413000 Component: Suspension

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The rear coil springs may have been incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving.

Safety Hazard: Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increases the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, repair the rear coil spring assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 64A. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall 26V051. All vehicles will need to have the new recall remedy performed.

NHTSA Campaign #23V577000 Component: Back Over Prevention:Display Function

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and 2022-2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles. The Central Vision Park Assist module (CVPAM) software may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Safety Hazard: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will update the Central Vision Park Assist Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 56A.

NHTSA Campaign #24V132000 Component: Suspension

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The upper control arm ball joint and steering knuckle may separate and cause the wheel to fall outward, resulting in a loss of vehicle control.

Safety Hazard: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper control arm pinch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 2, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 10B.

NHTSA Campaign #24V436000 Component: Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Safety Hazard: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Free Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.

Advertisement
🗣️ Real Driver Reports

Verified NHTSA Owner Complaints

Excerpts of actual incident reports submitted to the federal Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).

ODI #11773595 • Engine & Cooling 10/26/2026

"Oil Filter Housing/Oil Cooler Failure Causing Oil and Coolant Contamination, Serpentine Belt Failure, and Engine Overheating My 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo E, equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, has developed a significant oil leak originating from the oil filter housing/oil cooler assembly. A mechanic has identified this assembly as t..."

ODI #11771414 • Wheels & Tires 10/15/2026

"Suspected Right-Rear Brake Caliper Failure Resulting in Sudden Vehicle Stop Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 Incident date: [XXX] Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Approximate mileage: 64,000 miles Affected component: Right-rear brake caliper assembly On [XXX], while traveling approximately 5 mph, my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee experienced a ..."

ODI #11770597 • Powertrain & Transmission 10/12/2026

"Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, 3.6L V6 Incident Date: [XXX] Location: [XXX] Safety Complaint: On [XXX], while driving my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland on [XXX], the vehicle suddenly lost accelerator response while traveling on the highway. The engine initially remained running, but pressing the accelerator pedal produced no resp..."

ODI #11770712 • Fuel/Propulsion System 10/12/2026

"I was driving 65 MPH on a highway in high traffic and the Fuel propulsion system failed without any lights or warning. It just stop responding to accerlation. It was extremely dangerous and CDOT had to come rescue us. We are lucky we were not hurt or killed. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is only 5 years old and has 46,000 miles on it. The fuel pum..."

ODI #11768081 • Airbags & Restraints 09/30/2026

"The driver’s seatbelt sensor constantly goes off as not detecting that the seatbelt is buckled, while driving; this causes the alarm to continuously beep and also disables the airbag. Aside from the seatbelt issue, there is a standalone airbag issue that has been detected by the car’s health report multiple times. The drive shaft is also defective,..."