2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Safety Report
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (12) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (387) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 27 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2024 | Compare against the 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 193 complaints and 13 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee before buying across this generation. |
Jeep Grand Cherokee Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Jeep Grand Cherokee years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 328 | 10 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 212 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 344 | 18 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 344 | 7 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 193 | 13 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee | 816 | 11 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
31 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Jeep onlyExterior Lighting
30 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Jeep onlySteering
29 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Jeep onlyPower Train
24 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Jeep onlyElectrical System
19 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Jeep onlyFuel/Propulsion System
15 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Jeep onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Reliability Score
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Misfires Engine misfires have been reported, causing the vehicle to hesitate or stall. This is more common at higher mileage. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Column Issues Steering column problems have been reported, leading to erratic steering. This is more common at higher mileage. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Suspension Problems Control arm and spring issues have been reported, causing unusual noises and vibrations. This is more common at higher mileage. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Failures Tail lights and headlight issues have been reported, affecting visibility. This is more common at higher mileage. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee:
Engine misfires have been reported, causing the vehicle to hesitate or stall.
Steering column problems have been reported, leading to erratic steering.
Control arm and spring issues have been reported, causing unusual noises and vibrations.
Tail lights and headlight issues have been reported, affecting visibility.
Recall Details for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
The following 12 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee by NHTSA:
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."
Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
Consequence: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
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.
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."
Consequence: 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.
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.
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.
Consequence: Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increases the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
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.
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."
Consequence: A tail light side marker that does not illuminate can reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
Consequence: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
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.
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."
Consequence: A missing weld may allow the child seat tether to separate from the seat frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
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."
Consequence: Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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.
Consequence: Disabled air bags can increase the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.
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.
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."
Consequence: Difficulty activating the headlight high beams may result in reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
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."
Consequence: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 Complaint Summaries for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
I am reporting a repeated safety-related issue involving my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Overland. The vehicle has experienced ongoing engine misfires and overheating, which create unsafe driving conditions. The issue presents as follows: -Engine begins to misfire, causing rough operation and shaking. -The check engine light flashes intermittently indicating active misfire. -Vehicle performance becomes...
I was driving my car and the car shut off at 30 mph. It completely stopped and the steering wheel locked up. Started flashing start/stop and told me to put it in park. Glad no one got hurt and hope it doesn’t do it again.
Fuel pump loosing prime it cracks either in housing or hose internal to the tank and it causes it to loose prime. Long Crank Times/No Start And stall and rough idling at stoplights and upon acceleration. Issue was confirmed and reproduced by independent service center.
I own a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk which we purchased new. On Dec 30, 2025 we were driving home and received a service suspension message on the dash. We took it to our mechanic immediately and they diagnosed it and replaced the left front ride sensor. $380.88 In Jan 21,2026 the ride height message was back. They removed and replaced the air pump assembly with a new united. To remove...
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the headlight switch set to the Automatic Off/On position, the headlights blinked continuously, the bulb became red, and then the headlights became inoperable. While the headlight switch was in the on position, the headlights operated as designed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehic...
Hesitates to start
Steering is erratic while driving. Car is shifting left and right by itself while driving down the road feeling like the tires want to go different directions from one another. Steering wheel makes noticeable movement on its own left and right while going down a straight smooth road.
The screen for mapping other controls is delaminating, creating a safety and distraction hazard
Driver's seat belt retractor doesn't retract all of the time. Hangs up & leaves slack. Bought car & wasn't as bad. Didn't talk to dealer until now. Drove car 800 miles & 4 months since purchase. Dealer service dept says no extended warranty etc. I'm past the original warranty period & the 3 month certified used car warranty. Car was sold on Oct 14, 2025. The equipment checklist form marked that al...
REPEATED CAM SHAFT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. THIS HAS HAPPENBED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS. IT IS CURRENTLY AT A STELLANTIS DEALERSHIP IN MICHIGAN. THERE IS USUALLY N O PRIOR WARNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AS SOON AS THE ISSUE STARTS.
Over the past year, I've noticed a suspension-related squeak - increasing in frequency - coming from the rear of my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited vehicle. I brought this to the attention of the Jeep dealer service dept where I purchased the vehicle, as well as to another independent auto repair shop, and both indicated they could not find anything wrong. Today, I saw news on the internet of t...
I was driving on the highway. There were no other vehicles nearby. I heard a loud pop/bang. I thought a tire burst but then discovered the back windshield had shattered
Car has 28k miles. It is driven by a [XX] year old. It is a Jeep GC Summit which is top of the line for Jeep. Both headlights were blown and the dash warning system never alerted that the lights were out. Car is equipped with the headlight monitoring system. She never drives at night so I cannot give you an exact date but we think it has been out since 2024 which is the last Texas inspection ...
The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while making a left-hand turn, the wheels on the vehicle failed to follow the trajectory of the movement and failed to function as intended, and moved toward the curb. The vehicle came to a stop when it hit the curb. It was unknown if any warning lights were illuminated. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy...
This vehicle has ongoing issues with electrical systems. Any time temperature drops into negative digits the vehicle will drain both batteries to the point the auto is inoperable. Further jump starting the vehicle in a very low battery state is a futile venture. The issue leaves the vehicle and it's occupants stranded in sub-zero conditions.
The 2021 Jeep grand cherokee I owned had problem when I started the vehicle It would not start and had to do it again and again to restart which damaged the starter and batteries I suffered a big monetary loss when I traded this car as Chrysler and Stellantis refused to acknowledge the recall of the fuel pump relay
I am reporting a potential safety-related defect involving my Chrysler vehicle equipped with a V6 Pentastar engine. During a routine oil change a few weeks ago, I was informed by the service provider that my engine oil level was extremely low, despite the oil change being performed earlier than the recommended interval. This was alarming, as the vehicle had not shown any warning lights or obvious ...
35000 miles 4 wheel drive transfer case went bad. Company honored full repairs. I was the second owner of this vehicle.
I was driving north on I64, and a car in front of me suddenly stopped. Cruise control was on, but when i applied the brake, my car did not stopped, and cruise control speed up, before decreasing speed. Instead of turning off, and allowing the car to slow down. I had to swerve, causing to go off on the side of the highway, and held my foot on the brake for almost a mile, along the side of the highw...
My jeep started on fire in my garage. I put my items for the day in my jeep then started it the garage door was open. I started it at 0557. I went and got my son dressed brought him to the living room I heard noises from outside in the garage. I opened the door in the house to the garage, and it was full of smoke. There were flames coming from the front of the jeep. I called 911 at 0603. What com...
Showing 20 of 387 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Has the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE been recalled?
Yes, the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE has 12 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE have?
The 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE has 387 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 19 involved crashes. 13 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
The 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE involve unknown or other (31 complaints), exterior lighting (30 complaints), steering (29 complaints). Other affected components include power train, electrical system, fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE have?
There are 19 crash reports associated with the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE out of 387 total complaints (4.9% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE have?
There are 8 fire reports for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE out of 387 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
13 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE is proceed with caution. It has 387 complaints, 12 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
The components with the most failures on the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (31 complaints), 2. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (30 complaints), 3. STEERING (29 complaints), 4. POWER TRAIN (24 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (19 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 31 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
Regular maintenance is crucial to address common issues like steering, engine misfires, and suspension problems. Check for unusual noises and vibrations. The 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE has 387 NHTSA complaints and 12 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
The 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 387 owner complaints, 12 recalls, and 27 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine Misfires and Steering Column Issues.
What are the known issues with the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE?
Known issues with the 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE include: Engine Misfires, Steering Column Issues, Suspension Problems, Exterior Lighting Failures. These are based on patterns found across 387 NHTSA complaints. 12 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Common issues include steering problems, engine misfires, and suspension issues.
Are there any recalls for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Yes, there are recalls for back over prevention systems and suspension issues.
What should I do if I experience steering issues?
Check for any unusual noises or vibrations and have the vehicle inspected by a professional.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Regular maintenance is crucial to address common issues like steering, engine misfires, and suspension problems. Check for unusual noises and vibrations.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The data includes 387 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 12 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 19 reported crashes, 8 fire incidents, 13 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16