2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: common problems and reliability

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 467 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 15 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and steering. Owners most often flag poor long-term reliability / high repair frequency — vehicles reported to be trouble-free for the first 100,000-120,000 miles, then experiencing frequent, costly failures (e.g., engines, transmissions, electrical systems) leading to breakdowns. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2021 model year

467
Owner complaints
15
Recalls
23
Crash reports
9
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

electrical system
138
steering
115
engine
68
power train
67
exterior lighting
43

Recalls affecting the 2021 Grand Cherokee

exterior lighting:headlights

Campaign 21V797000

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 activ…

exterior lighting:lighting control module:software

Campaign 21V950000

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…

visibility:rearview mirrors/devices

Campaign 21V729000

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 Fede…

air bags: air bag/restraint control module:software

Campaign 21V873000

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, p…

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided and heavily dependent on model year and generation. Long-term owner reports for the WK2 generation (approximately 2011-2021) indicate a pattern of initial satisfaction followed by significant reliability concerns, particularly afte

  • Poor long-term reliability / high repair frequency — Vehicles reported to be trouble-free for the first 100,000-120,000 miles, then experiencing frequent, costly failures (e.g., engines, transmissions, electrical systems) leading to breakdowns. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Electrical system problems — Parasitic battery drains, faulty sensors, infotainment glitches, and module failures affecting various functions. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Engine failures — Specific reports of blown head gaskets on certain models (mentioned as common around 60,000 miles by a former technician), coolant leaks requiring full engine replacement, and camshaft issues. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Transmission issues — Concerns about reliability, "clunky" AWD engagement, and failures, particularly with the nine-speed unit in related models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Interior build quality degradation (WL generation) — Use of cheaper-feeling plastics and components compared to the previous WK2 generation, particularly noted on door panels. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Grand Cherokee.

Typical used price

Used Grand Cherokee listings typically run $34,970–$44,186 across 2014 to 2026 model years.

Other Grand Cherokee model years

2025 Grand Cherokee2017 Grand Cherokee2016 Grand Cherokee2014 Grand Cherokee2013 Grand Cherokee2011 Grand Cherokee2010 Grand Cherokee2009 Grand Cherokee2008 Grand Cherokee2007 Grand Cherokee2006 Grand Cherokee2005 Grand Cherokee2003 Grand Cherokee2002 Grand Cherokee2001 Grand Cherokee1999 Grand Cherokee1998 Grand Cherokee1997 Grand Cherokee1996 Grand Cherokee
Full Jeep Grand Cherokee owner reportCompare against another car