Reliable Auto DB

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 403 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee over 6 years — 79 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Grand Cherokee years here — over the median of the other years, which is 68. NHTSA has 12 recalls on file, including Camera, Upper ball joint, and Display.

2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Photo by Navigator84, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0
Complaints

403

Per year

79

Recalls

12

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (114 of 403), then Steering (102) and Engine (60). Those filings include 20 that report a crash, 8 that report a fire, and 12 that report an injury.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Grand Cherokee has 238 complaints, 21 per year, and the 2022 has 369 complaints, 51 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (12)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2024-06-13 · NHTSA campaign 24V436000
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."
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.
Recall suspension, front, control arm, upper ball joint 2024-02-22 · NHTSA campaign 24V132000
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.
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.
Recall back-over prevention, display 2023-08-14 · NHTSA campaign 23V577000
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."
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.
Recall suspension, rear, springs, coil springs 2023-06-08 · NHTSA campaign 23V413000
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.
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.
Recall steering, column 2023-05-18 · NHTSA campaign 23V352000
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.
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.
Recall exterior lighting, tail lights 2022-07-28 · NHTSA campaign 22V544000
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."
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.
Recall engine and cooling, exhaust system, emission control, EGR valve 2022-04-28 · NHTSA campaign 22V284000
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.
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.
Recall child seat, tether anchor 2022-03-24 · NHTSA campaign 22V180000
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."
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.
Recall exterior lighting, lighting control module, software 2021-12-09 · NHTSA campaign 21V950000
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."
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.
Recall air bags, air bag control module, software 2021-11-10 · NHTSA campaign 21V873000
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.
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.
Recall exterior lighting, headlights 2021-10-14 · NHTSA campaign 21V797000
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."
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.
Recall visibility, rearview mirrors 2021-09-21 · NHTSA campaign 21V729000
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."
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.

Complaints by component (403 total)

Electrical system
114
Steering
102
Engine
60
Powertrain
58
Exterior lighting
42
Fuel and propulsion system
38
Suspension
30
Lane departure
29
Service brakes
28
Forward collision avoidance
25
Air bags
19
Speed control
17
Seat belts
6
Wheels
6
Back-over prevention
5
Seats
5
Structure
5
Visibility and wipers
5
Visibility
3
Hydraulic brakes
2
Air brakes
1
Child seat
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Tires
1
Show 17 more Show less
Crash-flagged

20

Fire-flagged

8

Injury reports

12

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

320205020211062022782023782024542025342026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle jumped. The contact stated that while driving 8–9 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and there was an abnormally loud sound…"
    Powertrain, Air bags · filed 2026-09-08
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and attempting to use the key fob to open the hatch, the hatch failed to open. The contact opened the hatch manually, and…"
    Structure · filed 2026-09-04
  • "Final drive control module, transfercase control module went out. Causing “Service 4WD” message Check-engine/MIL light 4WD system becoming unavailable Trouble codes related to the drivetrain control module Intermittent…"
    Powertrain, Electrical system · filed 2026-08-25
  • "On [XXX] while driving in northeastern colorado on hevily traveled [XXX] without warnin lamps, messages or other symptoms my vehicle stopped running. I was in a lane of traffic and since car had stalled out I had…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-22
  • "Electronic Throttle Control warning light comes on upon starting vehicle while extended crank occurs. When starting car, the push to start feature will not turn over and continuously cranks multiple times. Issue is…"
    Powertrain, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-08-04

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT SUV 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD 4 stars 4 stars 5 stars 3 stars
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 4 stars
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk SUV 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Grand Cherokee two-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 19 26 21 MPG $3100
Grand Cherokee four-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed All-wheel drive 18 25 21 MPG $3100
Grand Cherokee four-wheel drive 5.7L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed All-wheel drive 14 22 17 MPG $4350
Grand Cherokee L two-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed Rear-wheel drive 19 26 21 MPG $3100
Grand Cherokee L four-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic 8-speed All-wheel drive 18 25 21 MPG $3100
Grand Cherokee L four-wheel drive 5.7L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed All-wheel drive 14 22 17 MPG $4350
Grand Cherokee SRT four-wheel drive 6.4L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed All-wheel drive 13 19 15 MPG $5300
Grand Cherokee Trackhawk four-wheel drive 6.2L, 8-cyl Automatic 8-speed All-wheel drive 11 17 13 MPG $6150

Specs and fitment

WK2 generation, 2012–2021
Body styles SUV
Oil 5W-20 (3.6L); 5W-30 (5.7L HEMI) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 265/60R18 to 265/50R20 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 7,200 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-475 covers certain 2014-2016 Grand Cherokees with the 3.0L EcoDiesel (shared with Ram 1500): the crankshaft-position sensor tone wheel may delaminate so the engine cannot sync injector and cam timing and may stall; dealers update PCM software to fall back on the cam signal (FCA W58). Diesel-only—gasoline WK2 trucks are outside that campaign. Confirm open Takata and other VIN-specific campaigns on NHTSA before purchase; WK2 also appears on multiple FCA air-bag and fuel campaigns by year.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Next year 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee See every Jeep Grand Cherokee model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?

Owners have filed 403 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee over 6 years — 79 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Grand Cherokee years here — over the median of the other years, which is 68. NHTSA has 12 recalls on file, including Camera, Upper ball joint, and Display.

What are common problems with a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (114 of 403), then Steering (102) and Engine (60). Those filings include 20 that report a crash, 8 that report a fire, and 12 that report an injury.

Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Grand Cherokee has 238 complaints, 21 per year, and the 2022 has 369 complaints, 51 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee been recalled?

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 12 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Owners have filed 403 complaints about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is 18.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Grand Cherokee take?

5W-20 (3.6L); 5W-30 (5.7L HEMI)

What does NHTSA recall 20V-475 cover on the Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Recall 20V-475 covers certain 2014-2016 Grand Cherokees with the 3.0L EcoDiesel (shared with Ram 1500): the crankshaft-position sensor tone wheel may delaminate so the engine cannot sync injector and cam timing and may stall; dealers update PCM software to fall back on the…

What generation is the 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

WK2 generation (2012-2021).