AI Damage2021 Jeep Cherokee: common problems
Owners of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee filed 176 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 256 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 176
- involving a crash
- 10
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 256
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 59% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 5 Forward collision avoidance 6% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 7 Suspension 3% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 103 complaints (59% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Engine: 28 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Electrical system: 23 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 92.
- Service brakes: 14 complaints (8% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Forward collision avoidance: 11 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 176 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 103 | 1 | 25 |
| Engine | 28 | 0 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 23 | 1 | 92 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 2 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 9 | 7 | 2 |
| Suspension | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Lane departure | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 15 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 29 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
Airbags did not deploy. There were injuries. No one can figure out why the airbags didn't deploy on either the passenger side nor the driver side. Thankfully no one was killed. I believe there to be a defect in the airbags on this vehicle of not deploying.
The contact stated the air bags did not deploy and the driver-side seat belt did not retract. The contact sustained injuries on his chest due to hitting the steering wheel and had bruises/swelling on his right foot. The contact sought medical attention at a nearby hospital.
I was driving and felt the wheel jerk and heard a crack noise under the front end of my car immediately after my vehichle was pulled abruptly to left causing me to hit a curb. WHen I got out and inspected the vehichle it looked as if the tire had been tilted inwards towards the car.
While the contact was attempting to leave the vehicle post-accident, the driver-side interior door handle would not function and open the driver-side door. Which resulted in the contact having to open the door via the exterior door handle. All airbags deployed minus driver-side airbags.
Airbags didn't deploy, brakes failed after impact and the engine didn't shut down. I had to disconnect the ecu power relay for the engine to stop.
SVC 4WD light came on the dashboard. Took to the dealership, they said it was a PTU issue and it needed to be replaced. $3800 and 45 days to fix. NHTSA notes recalls for my year make and model for my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux but does not show a recall for my specific VIN#.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 375 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 18% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cherokee has 472 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 176, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
- Door Latch, Handle And Ajar Additional Service Information
- Rear Taillamp Condensation Clearing Procedure On occasion, vehicle exterior taillamp assemblies get fogged…
Rear Taillamp Condensation Clearing Procedure On occasion, vehicle exterior taillamp assemblies get fogged with a light layer of condensation on the SYMPTOM: inside of the lenses Fig. 1. This may be reported after the…
- Flash
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)…
- If replacing $8474412A$ with $8474413A$ version, verify vehicle is proxied and configured properly
The 4412 part does not have RSD (SXM) capability. The 4413 part has RSD (SXM) capability and will not have an antenna connected. If replacement radio does not function, verify RSD sales code is added to configurator.
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning…
- POWER TRANSFER UNIT - NONE
- Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.
- Verify "Z" part number availability. Order a "Z" part number for all Exchange Orders
Warranty, Mopar, Customer pay and Service contract. Order"68" part number for New unsold units only
- Intermittent Uconnect Box Requires Service Message
TBM Setting Stored Or Pending DTCs B22A9, B1560, B1561, B1562
- ESC Light Illuminated
DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
- Before replacing any parts please refer to SOL S2518000008 if it applies to the vehicle you are working on…
Before replacing any parts please refer to SOL S2518000008 if it applies to the vehicle you are working on based on a VIN search in Service Library. Before replacing this part due to Engine Light On with P1CEA (Boost…
NHTSA lists 256 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 176. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (27%), loss of power / limp mode (12%), knocking, grinding or other noise (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA lists 256 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2021 Jeep Cherokee from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2021 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.