2021 Jeep Cherokee Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Part of Generation 5 (KL) — 2014–2023.

20202022
Complaints
175
per 10K Sold
19.6
US Sales
89,126
Crashes
16
Fires
8
Injuries
10
Fatalities
Recalls
3

Worst 2021 Jeep Cherokee Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#156 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:50,443 mi
Crash-related:1
#222 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:42,565 mi
Fires:2
#320 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:54,200 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee.

Transmission / Drivetrain
56
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
50,443
Engine Problems
22
complaints
Crashes
Fires
2
Avg Miles
42,565
Electrical Faults
20
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
54,200
Brakes
13
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
1,400
Airbags
8
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
1
Avg Miles
38,735
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
5
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
5
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical System:12v/24v/48v Battery
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Headlight/Taillight Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward-Collision Avoidance Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Insert, Padding
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Assist
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Sidewall
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Jeep Cherokee

3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~19,511 vehicles.

24V516000Air Bags:side/window:curtain
~13 affected

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the right-side curtain air bag may prevent the air bag from deploying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

21V310000Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooler/radiator:hoses And Fittings
~18,800 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.

20V657000Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
~698 affected

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude and Jeep Cherokee Limited vehicles. One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving.

Other Jeep Cherokee Years

2021 Jeep Cherokee — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2021 Jeep Cherokee has 175 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Transmission / Drivetrain with 56 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
Top reported problems: Transmission / Drivetrain (56 complaints, avg 50,443 mi); Engine Problems (22 complaints, avg 42,565 mi); Electrical Faults (20 complaints, avg 54,200 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 43,473 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee include 16 crash-related reports, 8 fire reports, 10 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 19,511 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Jeep Cherokee reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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