POWER TRAIN
2021 Jeep Cherokee
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 150 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and electrical categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 256 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 1 |
| Mar 2021 | 2 | 3 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 4 |
| May 2021 | 3 | 7 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 8 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 9 |
| Oct 2021 | 2 | 11 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 12 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 13 |
| Jan 2022 | 2 | 15 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 16 |
| Apr 2022 | 2 | 18 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 19 |
| Jun 2022 | 4 | 23 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 24 |
| Aug 2022 | 1 | 25 |
| Oct 2022 | 2 | 27 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 28 |
| Dec 2022 | 1 | 29 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 30 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 31 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 32 |
| May 2023 | 3 | 35 |
| Jun 2023 | 1 | 36 |
| Jul 2023 | 3 | 39 |
| Aug 2023 | 2 | 41 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 43 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 44 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 45 |
| Dec 2023 | 5 | 50 |
| Jan 2024 | 1 | 51 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 52 |
| Mar 2024 | 2 | 54 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 55 |
| May 2024 | 2 | 57 |
| Jun 2024 | 2 | 59 |
| Jul 2024 | 2 | 61 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 62 |
| Dec 2024 | 3 | 65 |
| Jan 2025 | 3 | 68 |
| Feb 2025 | 3 | 71 |
| Mar 2025 | 5 | 76 |
| Apr 2025 | 3 | 79 |
| Jun 2025 | 4 | 83 |
| Aug 2025 | 7 | 90 |
| Sep 2025 | 4 | 94 |
| Oct 2025 | 5 | 99 |
| Nov 2025 | 6 | 105 |
| Dec 2025 | 5 | 110 |
| Jan 2026 | 3 | 113 |
| Mar 2026 | 6 | 119 |
| Apr 2026 | 3 | 122 |
| May 2026 | 8 | 130 |
| Jun 2026 | 4 | 134 |
| Jul 2026 | 7 | 141 |
| Aug 2026 | 9 | 150 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Powertrain (other)7942.5%
- Engine2513.4%
- Electrical2211.8%
- Brakes147.5%
- Driver assistance137.0%
- Airbags84.3%
- Suspension52.7%
- Tires & wheels52.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govAIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLER/RADIATOR:HOSES AND FITTINGS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Drive train control module & actuator replaced at less than 75,000 miles
- NHTSA ID
- 11756387
- Incident
- Aug 6, 2026
Twice in the past year, the vehicle stalled after coming to a stop at a red light. The morning after the most recent incident, the car would not start. I had it towed to the dealership. That was Luther Brookdale Dodge, Jeep and Ram in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. Two weeks ago, I began to intermittently see the message '4WD Unavailable - Service Required'. I brought it yesterday, and was told that the Power Transfer Unit was in need of replacement. I travel as an special education case manager and teacher quite a distance every day to work. The roads in the wintertime can be quite challenging on which to travel. This vehicle should be included in the list of affected vehicle trims that are listed for the multitude of Jeep vehicles part of the PTU related recall. I need to know that the vehicle is being repaired with a part that is safe, not the same PTU used originally, in manufacture, which has been found to be unsafe.
- NHTSA ID
- 11756116
- Incident
- May 14, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the “4WD Service” warning light illuminated, and while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the power transfer unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V343000 (POWER TRAIN); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was 161,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11756056
- Incident
- Aug 5, 2026
- Mileage
- 161,000 mi
On [XXX], I purchased a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Limited from Blaise Alexander Hyundai in State College, Pennsylvania as a first vehicle for my [XXX] son. No problems were apparent during the brief test drive or drive home. On [XXX], during my son’s first driving lesson, we discovered that the right turn signal would randomly and repeatedly fail to remain engaged. I later learned that similar “self-canceling” turn-signal problems have been reported in Jeep vehicles and resulted in safety recalls for certain models. I immediately contacted Tyler (salesman), as documented by my phone records. He initially instructed me to have the vehicle checked at a local Johnstown dealership for warranty coverage and stated that Blaise Alexander would repair it if the warranty did not apply. I then learned from Carfax that the basic warranty had expired around January 2025. When I contacted Tyler again, he reversed his position and said the dealership would not repair the vehicle, suggesting the problem occurred after purchase. After several calls, the sales manager agreed to inspect it. I brought the vehicle to Blaise Alexander on January 22, 2026. The next day, the manager identified the problem and estimated an $800 repair. Although he called it “a typical problem with this model Jeep,” he refused to cover the cost and offered to split it. I declined and retrieved the vehicle on January 24. It had only been driven approximately three times since purchase. I requested the repair quote but it was not provided. I believe the defect was pre-existing and that Blaise Alexander knew or should have known about it. The dealership’s statements, the timing, my research, and related recalls support this belief. The defective signal affects roadworthiness and may prevent the vehicle from passing Pennsylvania inspection. Had I known about the defect, I would not have purchased the vehicle. I am seeking repair at the dealer's cost, or in lieu of that a buyback of the car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA
- NHTSA ID
- 11755771
- Incident
- Jan 3, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving on a ramp at 40-45 MPH, there was an abnormally loud grinding sound coming from underneath the vehicle, and the vehicle lost drive power. No warning light was illuminated. The electronic parking brake engaged automatically. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact restarted the vehicle, but the failure persisted, and the electronic parking brake engaged automatically. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the PTU had failed; however, parts were not available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and offered to provide limited reimbursement for rental car expenses. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755511
- Incident
- Jul 19, 2026
- Mileage
- 45,000 mi
PTU failure at 62000 miles. There is a recall for the exact issue on the exact part for 2019 to 2025 Jeep Cherokees but this one, as well as several thousand others, somehow do not fall under this recall. Why? From what the dealer told us this is a “critical safety issue that could result in serious injury or death” so why would this not be a recall along with the 60000+ other ones? Dealer told me this was sushi a critical safety issue they would not return the car to me until it was fixed, and part was 2 month back ordered which was last week but still hear nothing. What is the hold up with a recall on this?
- NHTSA ID
- 11754810
- Incident
- May 22, 2026
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in park(P), the 4WD warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754723
- Incident
- Aug 3, 2026
- Mileage
- 60,000 mi
I own a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk that is included in the PTU safety recall involving sudden loss of motive power and/or loss of the PARK function. My vehicle began exhibiting the exact symptoms of this recall in April 2026 and has been undrivable since that time. The recall was announced in May 2026, but Stellantis has still not provided a repair remedy. As of today, my vehicle has been out of service for approximately four months due to the recalled condition. I have received the recall notification letter, but it continues to state that no remedy is available. This has left me without the use of my vehicle for an extended period despite an acknowledged safety defect. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate Stellantis’ failure to provide a timely remedy for this safety recall. My vehicle has been undrivable since April 2026 because of the recall condition and remains unusable due to the lack of an available repair. This vehicle CANNOT be safely driven.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754404
- Incident
- Apr 19, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Door Latch, Handle And Ajar Additional Service Information.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Rear Taillamp Condensation Clearing Procedure On occasion, vehicle exterior taillamp assemblies get fogged with a light layer of condensation on the SYMPTOM: inside of the lenses Fig. 1. This may be reported after the lamps have been turned on and brought up to operating temperature, turned off and then rapidly cooled by cold water (such as rain, or the water from a vehicle wash). Lens fogging can also occur under certain atmospheric conditions after a vehicle has been parked outside overnight (i.e. a warm humid day followed by clear cool night). This will usually clear as atmospheric conditions change to allow the condensation to change back into a vapor. Turning the taillamps on will usually accelerate this process. This bulletin is to communicate the procedure for rear taillamp condensation clearing.
ENGINE
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● **P0111-00 - Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range Performance Bank 1. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0071-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0072-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" Low. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0073-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" High. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0011-00 - Bank 1 Camshaft 1 Position Timing Over Advanced Or. (In Active or Stored status) ● P25E4-00 - B Camshaft Position - Unable To Achieve Locked Position Bank 1. (In Active or Stored status) ● P05BD-00 - Stop-Start Mode Switch Range/Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0116-00 - Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P062B-00 - Internal Control Module Fuel Injector Control Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0604-00 - Internal Control Module Random Access Memory Ram Error. (In Active or Stored status) ● P060C-00 - Internal Control Module Main Processor Performance. (In Active or Stored status)** ● P018B-00 - Fuel Pressure Sensor "B" Circuit Range/performance. **(In Active or Stored status)** ● P1CEA-00 - Boost Side EVAP Purge System Performance. **(In Active or Stored status)** ● P06DD-00 - Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit Performance/Stuck Off. **(In Active or Stored status)** ● P00C6-00 - Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low - Engine Cranking. **(In Active or Stored status)** ● P0300-00 - Multiple Cylinder Misfire. **(In Active or Stored status)** Customers may also experience one or more of the following: ● **Oil Level High Warning in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC).** ● Fully Autonomous Parking Assist (FAPA) is not deactivated when accelerator pedal is pressed. ● Vehicle is not heating up fast enough at freezi
Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
If replacing $8474412A$ with $8474413A$ version, verify vehicle is proxied and configured properly. The 4412 part does not have RSD (SXM) capability. The 4413 part has RSD (SXM) capability and will not have an antenna connected. If replacement radio does not function, verify RSD sales code is added to configurator.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 48 | 3 | 0 | 59.9 |
| 2021Viewing | 150 | 4 | 0 | 64.9 |
| 2020 | 278 | 3 | 0 | 61.9 |
| 2019 | 1,611 | 11 | 0 | 60.1 |
| 2018 | 680 | 7 | 1 | 59.9 |
| 2017 | 1,325 | 6 | 1 | 58.7 |
| 2016 | 1,403 | 9 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 2015 | 1,780 | 11 | 4 | 61.1 |
| 2014 | 2,639 | 13 | 3 | 59.2 |
| 2006 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 27.2 |
| 2001 | 229 | 8 | 1 | 60.7 |
| 2000 | 369 | 7 | 1 | 61.4 |
| 1999 | 366 | 8 | 1 | 61.0 |
| 1998 | 398 | 11 | 1 | 59.0 |
| 1997 | 390 | 10 | 2 | 63.1 |
| 1996 | 447 | 10 | 1 | 61.9 |
| 1995 | 608 | 11 | 9 | 67.7 |
| 1994 | 519 | 9 | 9 | 66.5 |
| 1993 | 418 | 7 | 15 | 66.7 |
| 1992 | 113 | 5 | 9 | 69.5 |
| 1991 | 233 | 9 | 6 | 67.7 |
| 1990 | 270 | 9 | 6 | 66.8 |
| 1989 | 191 | 6 | 3 | 66.4 |
| 1988 | 97 | 4 | 3 | 61.9 |
| 1987 | 57 | 9 | 7 | 67.9 |
| 1986 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 67.6 |
| 1985 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 65.4 |
| 1984 | 7 | 7 | 4 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1980 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.