2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: 12 recalls, 406 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.
Recalls
12 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Backup camera, Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #21V729000 · 2021 · 69,138 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Fca us LLC will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 28, 2021.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #21V797000 · 2021 · 7,082 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Difficulty activating the headlight high beams May result in reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021.
Airbags, Airbags Vehicle recall #21V873000 · 2021 · 99,255 vehicles
What's wrong: The occupant restraint controller (orc) May have incorrect software which can disable the driver, passenger, and knee air bags without warning.
Why it matters: Disabled air bags can increase the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the orc, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2021.
Exterior lights, Exterior lights Vehicle recall #21V950000 · 2021 · 36,929 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the slm software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021.
Seats, Child seat Vehicle recall #22V180000 · 2022 · 4,586 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A missing weld May allow the child seat tether to separate from the seat frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat back frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #22V284000 · 2022 · 1,308 vehicles
What's wrong: 6l engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (egr) valve May stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
Why it matters: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the egr valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #22V544000 · 2022 · 99,186 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A tail light side marker that does not illuminate can reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace both body-mounted tail light assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 8, 2023.
Steering Vehicle recall #23V352000 · 2023 · 89,372 vehicles
What's wrong: An incorrectly assembled steering column intermediate shaft May disconnect from the u-joint, and result in a loss of steering control.
Why it matters: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the intermediate shaft and assembly parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2023.
Suspension Vehicle recall #23V413000 · 2023 · 305,282 vehicles
What's wrong: The rear coil springs May have been incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving.
Why it matters: Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, repair the rear coil spring assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2023.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #23V577000 · 2023 · 162,713 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will update the central vision park assist module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023.
Suspension, Steering Vehicle recall #24V132000 · 2024 · 338,238 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the upper control arm pinch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 2, 2024.
Backup camera Vehicle recall #24V436000 · 2024 · 1,033,433 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be ota, "over-the-air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 8 mention a fire, 13 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Electrical (114): the most common themes are electrical failure (29), stalls / loses power (28).
- Steering (102): the most common themes are steering problems (91), warning light on (33).
- Engine (60): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (23), warning light on (22).
- Transmission & drivetrain (58): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (27), stalls / loses power (14), warning light on (13).
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 406 owner complaints, ranking #23 of 37 Grand Cherokee model years for complaints (well below the 786 average). Complaints peaked in 2022 (106 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 18,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2020 (240 complaints, 3 recalls), 2022 (261 complaints, 13 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 22 | 17 | Midgrade |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 12 vehicle recalls for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
Owners have filed 406 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are electrical (114), steering (102), engine (60).
What gas mileage does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (3.6 L, Automatic 8-spd), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.