2021 Jeep CHEROKEE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
156 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
47,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 84 of 156 complaints (53.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 28 | 17.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 23 | 14.7% |
| Engine operation | 16 | 10.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 9.6% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 7.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 84 |
| Engine | 25 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 |
| Electrical System | 21 |
| Service Brakes | 13 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
Power Train: 84; Engine: 25; Unknown Or Other: 23; Electrical System: 21; Service Brakes: 13; Air Bags: 8; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 8 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 8; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 126 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2023 | 21 |
| 2024 | 15 |
| 2025 | 45 |
| 2026 | 46 |
2021: 13; 2022: 16; 2023: 21; 2024: 15; 2025: 45; 2026: 46
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 28 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 23 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 16 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11396202 · 2021-02-14 (February 14, 2021)
I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA (40 MPH) WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY JOLTED AS IF I HAD SUDDENLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN THE GAS PEDAL. I STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. THE ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT WERE ON, THE SEAT/STEERING WHEEL WARMER, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE MONITOR KEPT SAYING TO STEP ON THE BRAKE/START THE CAR, I ATTEMPTED TO DO THIS AND NOTHING. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN TRIED TO TURN IT ON AGAIN MULTIPLE TIMES AND NOTHING. THANKFULLY, MULTIPLE PEOPLE STOPPED TO PUSH ME OFF …
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11396202 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11402644 · 2021-03-12 (March 12, 2021)
WE WERE IN A FRONT IMPACT VEHICLE ACCIDENT. 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.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11402644 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11445327 · 2021-12-28 (December 28, 2021)
While I was trying to get onto the interstate my vehicle would not accelerate. I tried to merge in with traffic but I was only going 35 and I almost hit someone. They stayed the same speed hoping I would speed up in front of them but I couldn’t. This put everyone around me at risk. I took my vh to the dealership. They called me today and told me they sold the rental I was in and that I needed to bring the car back. Also they ran some codes and my car is coming back fine. So they did not find a problem. I honestly feel they didn’t look they just…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11445327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11457935 · 2022-03-23 (March 23, 2022)
Power loss while driving, which poses a safety hazard Transmission shifting into neutral How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? 1. Vehicle lost power and shifted into neutral while accelerting into traffic 2. Vehicle was driving highway speeds and spontaneously lost power and shifted into neutral while in traffic Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes - vehicle has been repaired and at dealership 2xs and scheduled for a 3rd on April 6, 2022 Has the vehicle or component b…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11457935 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11406339 · 2021-04-04 (April 4, 2021)
MY 2021 JEEP'S POWER TRAIN UNIT BROKE AND DAMAGED OTHER CONNECTING PARTS WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY USING CRUISE CONTROL CAUSING A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. THIS OCCURRED WITH ONLY 5696 MILES DRIVEN ON THE VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 5,696 miles reported. Look up ODI 11406339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399011 · 2021-03-03 (March 3, 2021)
DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA, CAR KEPT SPUTTERING. RPM GAUGE KEPT GOING UP AND DOWN WHILE PRESSING IN THE GAS MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE DRIVING UNTIL IT EVENTUALLY SHUT DOWN AGAIN. ENGINE LIGHT AND BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON. THIS HAS OCCURRED FOR THE SECOND TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,055 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399011 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11419036 · 2021-05-30 (May 30, 2021)
I was involved in an accident on May 27, 2021 with my brand new Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2021, less than 3 k miles. Another driver ran a red light and I t-boned him, all of his air bags went off, but none of my air bags deployed. Hit the steering wheel with my chest, arms, hit the under dash area with knees and ankles as a result and am pretty bruised up.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419036 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11469360 · 2022-06-15 (June 15, 2022)
In May 2021 I leases a brand new car. In Jan 2021 I was driving my car and at a busy intersection, my car stalled. I just got a full tank of gas but the low fuel tank light came on. The car would not turn off, the clutch was stuck and I could not shift out of any gear. I brought my car in to the service center where I bought my car and let them know that I think electrical issues were causing problems with my fuel gauge and my clutch. They held on to my car from Jan 20-Mar 28th they could not say what electrical problems caused my car to sta…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11469360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11573763 · 2024-02-24 (February 24, 2024)
I've been experiencing repeated instances of my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux 4X4 shutting off while I'm driving, without any warning lights. The message "Shift to P to start" appears on the screen. On several occasions, the car shut off unexpectedly, almost causing accidents. Despite multiple visits to the IG Burton service department, no fault codes were found. Chrysler told them to replace the crank sensor. They were very confident that was the problem, but the issue recurred again 13days after I got the vehicle back. They replaced my fue…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11573763 at NHTSA ↗