2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
402 owner complaints analyzed
12 distinct recall campaigns
17,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 64 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 111 of 402 complaints (27.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 115 | 28.6% |
| Braking behavior | 60 | 14.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 41 | 10.2% |
| Engine operation | 31 | 7.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 31 | 7.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 25 | 6.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 111 |
| Steering | 102 |
| Engine | 60 |
| Power Train | 57 |
| Unknown Or Other | 55 |
| Exterior Lighting | 41 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 38 |
| Suspension | 29 |
Electrical System: 111; Steering: 102; Engine: 60; Power Train: 57; Unknown Or Other: 55; Exterior Lighting: 41; Fuel/Propulsion System: 38; Suspension: 29
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 39 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 39; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (39). 338 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 50 |
| 2022 | 106 |
| 2023 | 78 |
| 2024 | 78 |
| 2025 | 54 |
| 2026 | 33 |
2020: 3; 2021: 50; 2022: 106; 2023: 78; 2024: 78; 2025: 54; 2026: 33
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 115 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 60 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 41 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 11405576 · 2021-03-30 (March 30, 2021)
WHEN I SHIFT THE TRANSFER CASE IN TO NEUTRAL, FOR TOWING BEHIND MY RV, AND THEN PUT THE TRANSFER CASE BACK IN TO GEAR SO I CAN DRIVE THE JEEP THE POWER STEERING IS INOPERABLE FOR 20-30 MINUTES. IF I HAD AN EMERGENCY THE JEEP WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FOR THAT TIME PERIOD. THE LOCAL JEEP DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANY CODES INDICATING A PROBLEM. I HAVE SINCE TEST DRIVEN OTHER 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEES AND FOUND THE SAME PROBLEM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,535 miles reported. Look up ODI 11405576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420941 · 2021-06-14 (June 14, 2021)
Driving Jeep and engine stop, only had steering no brakes fortunately our speed was less than 10 miles per hr and we were in a parking lot. There is only about 770 miles on vehicle and we’ve owned the Jeep 3 weeks. Our concern is what would of happen if we were in heavy traffic, it was rush hour at the time? The dealer is picking up car tomorrow but that doesn’t fix our concerns!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420941 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11395797 · 2021-02-11 (February 11, 2021)
I STOPPED ON A SLIGHT FORWARD FACING HILL, PUT THE CAR INTO P FOR PARK SO IT WAS STATIONARY, AND TURNED IT OFF. I GOT OUT, AND WALKED AROUND THE CAR TO OPEN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO LET MY SON OUT. THEN AFTER ABOUT 1 MINUTE OF BEING PARKED CORRECTLY, THE CAR STARTED ROLLING FORWARD DOWN THE HILL ON ITS OWN (NOTE THAT THE WHEELS WERE TURNING SO THE CAR WAS NOT SLIDING). LUCKILY I GOT MY SON OUT, AND THEN THE CAR STOPPED ON ITS OWN AFTER ABOUT 30 YARDS (UNCLEAR IF IT STOPPED AS THE BRAKES ENGAGED AGAIN OR THE HILL WAS SOT ENOUGH THAT IT ST…
Owner-reported narrative. 486 miles reported. Look up ODI 11395797 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11377744 · 2020-12-03 (December 3, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FELT AS IF IT WAS SLIPPING. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO IMPERIAL CARS (8-18 UXBRIDGE RD, MENDON, MA 01756; [phone removed]) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF SEVERAL CYLINDER MISFIRES. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WAS STILL PENDING. THE MANUFACTURER…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11377744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399189 · 2021-03-04 (March 4, 2021)
JUST GOT A BRAND NEW 2021 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LIMITED X FOR LEASE TWO DAYS LATER NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION IS STALLING ENGINE IS STALLING THERE IS NO POWER WHEN I HIT THE GAS THE CAR DOESN'T GO. IT HAPPENED IN MOTION ON THE STREET.
Owner-reported narrative. 119 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399189 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413752 · 2021-04-25 (April 25, 2021)
I WAS DRIVING MY NEW GRAND CHEROKEE WITH 121 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS I WAS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN AROUND TO- RE-ENTER A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO LUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS STUCK IN PARK WITH THE WHEELS TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE REST OF THE ELECTRONICS WORKED BUT THE THE VEHICLE LOCKED IN PARK IT COULD NOT BE MOVED. THIS REPRESENTS AN EXTREME HAZARD TO THE MOTORING PUBLIC AS IF I HAD GONE 10 FEET FURTHE…
Owner-reported narrative. 121 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437367 · 2021-10-19 (October 19, 2021)
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the contact noticed several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle would not restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer who diagnosed that an electrical module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11437367 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11449266 · 2022-01-28 (January 28, 2022)
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle for more than 24 hours, the vehicle would not start up. The contact stated that the battery was constantly being drained. The contact was only able to start the vehicle in the morning after connecting a 1-amp charger to the battery. The contact stated that he contacted the dealer and it was suggested that the battery be replaced. The contact stated that the battery was replaced twice however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11449266 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11515339 · 2023-04-04 (April 4, 2023)
Traveling in my Jeep Grand Cherokee L 2021 with family from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to San Marcos along 130 outside of Austin and fuel pump went out (this was recently diagnosed via phone by a Jeep mechanic at Covert Jeep in Austin 4/3/23) causing engine to fail at 85 miles an hour with no warning. Forcing me to navigate through traffic and attempt to get to the shoulder with cars, trucks, and 18 wheelers traveling upwards of 85 miles an hour. Also, was told the fuel pump for my vehicle was on back order with about 150 people waiting for thi…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11515339 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11516923 · 2023-04-13 (April 13, 2023)
I am writing to file a complaint regarding the long start or failure to start issue with my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo. This problem began occurring at around 17,000 miles of use and has happened sporadically but with increasing frequency ever since. When I push the Start button, the vehicle may crank continuously until it times out or sputters to life right at the end of the timeout. This problem can be demonstrated repeatedly by parking the vehicle out in the sun for a few hours and then attempting to start it. I am concerned about the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11516923 at NHTSA ↗