UsedScore

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Solid

Owners filed 399 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee in its first five years on the road, about 159 for every 100,000 sold: 1.1× the rate of a typical Grand Cherokee year. That's close to a typical year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the steering (27% of complaints, median 22,000 miles).

Complaint index
1.1×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Grand Cherokee year
Rank
8th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
399
first five years; 159 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
16
campaigns
4th generation (WK2), 2011–2021 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (facelift)

Photo: 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited (facelift) · Greg Gjerdingen from Willmar, USA, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Steering27% · 107 complaints · median 22,000 miles
  2. Electrical29% · 115 complaints · median 2,000 miles
  3. Driver assistance17% · 66 complaints · median 15,000 miles
  4. Engine15% · 58 complaints · median 17,000 miles
  5. Air bags5% · 19 complaints
  6. Powertrain14% · 55 complaints · median 23,000 miles
  7. Brakes8% · 32 complaints
  8. Suspension7% · 27 complaints · median 39,000 miles
  9. Fuel and propulsion7% · 28 complaints
  10. Lights10% · 39 complaints · median 17,000 miles

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Driver assistance

Owners describe sudden automatic braking with no cars or obstacles nearby, and separately, power steering and lane-assist systems that cut out unpredictably, sometimes making steering heavy or unresponsive. Many say dealers struggled to diagnose or permanently fix these issues even after software updates or part replacements.

Warning signs:
Owners report dashboard warnings such as "Power Steering Unavailable," "Lane Management Unavailable," or forward collision warning lights illuminating before or during the failures, sometimes with heavy steering feel.
What shops did:
Owners describe dealers performing software updates, replacing steering columns, wiring, or modules, or being unable to duplicate or resolve the issue despite repeated visits.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 20,000 miles, among 6 complaints that give it

“The power steering and adaptive lane control system repeatedly fails. Loss of power steering makes the vehicle harder to turn.”

Electrical

Owners of this Grand Cherokee describe sudden power steering loss, stalling, and various electrical glitches, sometimes at highway speed, that can make the vehicle hard to control. Repairs like software updates or battery replacements are common, but several owners say the problem returned.

Warning signs:
Many owners report dashboard warning messages such as "power steering unavailable," illuminated warning lights, screen glitches, or stalling before or during the failure, often with no prior warning.
What shops did:
Dealers often replaced batteries, modules, or performed software updates, though some owners report the issue recurred or the dealer could not duplicate or find the cause.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 20,000 miles, among 14 complaints that give it

“the service power steering warning light was illuminated with an audible chime”

“the steering wheel became locked and would not allow me to steer”

Steering

Owners describe sudden or intermittent loss of power steering assist, often paired with warning lights for lane management or stability control, making the wheel very hard to turn. Fixes ranged from software updates and part replacements to dealers being unable to duplicate or resolve the issue, with some owners referencing recalls or backordered parts.

Warning signs:
Many report a "power steering unavailable, service required" message along with lane management, ESC, or other warning lights before or during the loss of steering assist.
What shops did:
Dealers most often performed software updates, reset the computer module, replaced batteries or control arms, or in some cases could not find or reproduce the problem.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 40,000 miles, among 19 complaints that give it

“the service power steering warning light was illuminated with an audible chime”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (16)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 26V562000September 2026328,381 vehicles

    Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4XE vehicles. The rear coil springs may be incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving.

    Risk: Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will replace the rear coil spring lower isolators, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 26V051000January 202680,620 vehicles

    Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs

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

    Risk: Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the rear coil spring assembly, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 25V083000February 2025133 vehicles

    Equipment: electrical: infotainment: video (TOUCH)screen/monitor/unit · Back over prevention: display function

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The center stack upper display (DCSD) contains a transistor that may overheat and prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

    Risk: A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers replaced the DCSD, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 24V897000November 202414 vehicles

    Air bags: side/window

    Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the front seat side air bags (SAB) may prevent the air bags from deploying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

    Risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers secured the connector, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 24V436000June 20241,033,433 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera

    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."

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

    Fix: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge.

  • NHTSA 24V132000February 2024338,238 vehicles

    Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint · Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm

    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.

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

    Fix: Dealers will replace the upper control arm pinch bolts, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 23V577000August 2023162,713 vehicles

    Back over prevention: display function

    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."

    Risk: 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.

    Fix: Dealers will update the Central Vision Park Assist Module software, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 23V413000June 2023305,282 vehicles

    Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs

    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.

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

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, repair the rear coil spring assemblies, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 23V352000May 202389,372 vehicles

    Steering: column

    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.

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

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the intermediate shaft and assembly parts, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 22V544000July 202299,186 vehicles

    Exterior lighting: tail lights

    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."

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

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace both body-mounted tail light assemblies, as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 22V284000April 20221,308 vehicles

    Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR VALVE)

    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.

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

    Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 22V180000March 20224,586 vehicles

    Seats: critical fasteners · Child seat: vehicle tether anchor

    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."

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

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat back frame, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V950000December 202136,929 vehicles

    Exterior lighting: lighting control module: software · Exterior lighting: headlights

    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."

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

    Fix: Dealers will reprogram the SLM software, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V873000November 202199,255 vehicles

    Air bags: air bag/restraint control module: software · Air bags

    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.

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

    Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ORC, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V797000October 20217,082 vehicles

    Exterior lighting: headlights

    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."

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

    Fix: Dealers will reprogram the vehicles, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 21V729000September 202169,138 vehicles

    Back over prevention: sensing system: camera · Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices

    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."

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

    Fix: FCA US LLC will update the radio software, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Jeep sent NHTSA 1,323 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2021 Grand Cherokee. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 106321 · July 2025 · Warranty extensionFCA Caribbean Warranty Newsletter – Volume 11, Issue 7
  • 106320 · July 2025 · Warranty extensionWarranty Newsletter – Volume 11, Issue 7
  • 105591 · June 2025 · Warranty extensionFCA Caribbean Warranty Newsletter – Volume 11, Issue 6
  • 104558 · April 2025 · Warranty extensionFCA Caribbean Warranty Newsletter – Volume 11, Issue 4
  • 104557 · April 2025 · Warranty extensionWarranty Newsletter – Volume 11, Issue 4
  • 102365 · December 2024 · Warranty extensionWarranty Newsletter – Volume 10, Issue 11
  • 9100905 · September 2026Passive Entry O/S Dr Handle Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star Online S2623000040.
  • 9100902 · September 2026Passive Entry O/S Dr Handle Prior to replacing an inoperative passive entry door handle, perform Star Online S2623000040.

All 2021 Grand Cherokee bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
Owners filed 399 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee in its first five years on the road, about 159 for every 100,000 sold: 1.1× the rate of a typical Grand Cherokee year. That's close to a typical year. Ratings compare Grand Cherokee years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2021 Grand Cherokee problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the steering (27%), the electrical system (29%) and driver-assistance features and cameras (17%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the most recent in September 2026 (suspension). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Jeep. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee on NHTSA.gov · How we rate