2021 Jeep Cherokee Brakes Problems

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee sporadically and infrequently engages the parking brake and hazard flashers. In order to disengage it, the car must be put in park and turned off then on, sometimes repeatedly. It has happened multiple times when the car is at a stop and in drive (at a stoplight, etc.) Recently it started happening while driving. The parking brake engaged and the car slammed to a stop nearly causing the car behind me to rear-end me. The dealership's service department has not been able to duplicate the problem or find any codes indicating a problem. They confirmed the software is up to date.

NHTSA ID

11723032

Incident

Feb 23, 2026

Their was no incident

NHTSA ID

11695339

Incident

Oct 23, 2025

Driving a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk on the interstate with cruise control engaged. All of a sudden the vehicle decelerates/downshifts and the display screen flashes "4WD System Unavailable Service Required" and "4WD Neutral Warning". Trying to cross traffic to get to the shoulder of road and almost hit due to deceleration. Press gas pedal and nothing. Traction control light flashes on. Coast cross traffic to shoulder side of the road. Shut off Jeep. Check for loss of fluids and/or parts. Check brakes. Nothing. No smoke. No burning smell. Turn vehicle on. Vehicle automatically engages parking brake. Shift off parking brake and shift vehicle into drive and it makes a grinding noise like its trying to shift into 4WD. Snow mode pops on as well as the FWD Collision light and traction control. Jeep ran just fine until this point and no prior incidents, no bad/hard shifting. NOTHING.

NHTSA ID

11667225

Incident

Jun 15, 2025

Car completely died while operating. No Power. Dead in middle of the road. Unable to signal other cars. Jeep dealership ran code and replaced battery. Did not check PTU as requested. Car is now acting up similar to PTU issues. Exact same experiences as outlined in the recall for 2017 to 2020. 2021 should be included for this recall and reviewed or repaired as this is a known issue in jeep cheerokes. This is a serious issue due to the fact that they shut down immediately leaving you in the middle of the road with zero ability to notify anyone you are stopped. No warning signs were present.

NHTSA ID

11656349

Incident

Apr 13, 2025

The vehicle gave us a service 4wd warning on my wife's way home from work. The car had numerous issues driving it home. It wouldn't move in drive, until it was put in park and then back into drive and it would automatically engage the parking brake. Once she brought it home I went to check the vehicle. I got into the vehicle, put it into reverse and backed up the driveway. Once I stopped and placed the vehicle in drive it automatically engaged the parking brake. I put the vehicle in drive disengaged the brake pulled the car forward toward my house. I stopped the car placed it in park. The vehicle kept rolling about 2 ft. Into my garage door and then engaged the parking brake.. I don't know what is wrong, I have never seen a vehicle do this. I have checked and this is a common problem. I don't know why this isn't recalled. It is a dangerous vehicle like this.

NHTSA ID

11635030

Incident

Jan 8, 2025

I purchased a brand new car and the ABS system keeps failing. My car has passed inspections but for this continues to be a problem

NHTSA ID

11595812

Incident

May 4, 2024

Parking brake automatically engaged while sitting at traffic light. First time it has done it. Just had an inspection on car a few months back and nothing was wrong with car at that time.

NHTSA ID

11560043

Incident

Dec 14, 2023

The emergency brake engages on its own and the fuel saving on/off feature is not working and the vehicle stalls while driving.

NHTSA ID

11544802

Incident

Aug 15, 2023

Bought used for my daughter in Jan 2023. Car had 30,290miles. The parking brake has been coming on while she’s driving. She is also getting a forward collision service message, as well as Lane assist service message. It’s gonna cost us $1K to repair. I hope this takes care of the problem. I don’t like my daughter driving a fairly new car with so many issues. The parking brake issue is very discomforting. Also the stop/start function is not working. The mechanic says a new battery will resolve this issue.

NHTSA ID

11541698

Incident

Aug 26, 2021

The emergency brake activated when I step on the gas at a light. It would disengage until I turned the car off and back on. It was raining during the time. When I called the dealership(Darcars dodge and Jeep, Temple Hills, Ms) they claimed they’d never heard of these incidents happening.

NHTSA ID

11487654

Incident

Oct 2, 2022

I put my car in tow mode, after hooking up my RV, followed all proper procedures, after I turned key off and closed the door, between then and when I started to roll, the emergency brake AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED! I burned up my two rear Jeep tires and could have been worse had not a nice guy stop me and said your tires are on fire!!! I have a 38 ft Alpine, so didn't realize the pull! I luckily only had to replace my 2 rear tires and one sensor that melted! $450. Since then I watch for this DANGEROUS AUTO FEATURE and it has engaged on its own again a few times, not always, but occasionally. I can't have this going on it I plan to tow this vehicle!

NHTSA ID

11449337

Incident

Jan 18, 2022

While putting on new tire valve caps, I noticed a drip of something wet on the inside of one of the rims. It smelled like brake fluid. I took the car to the dealership for inspection. I was told that I couldn't drive the car, that the caliper was leaking brake fluid, and that it would take about 6 days to order and replace the caliper. If gone undetected, the defective leaking caliper could have resulted in brake failure. There was no warning lamp to indicate an issue.

NHTSA ID

11429941

Incident

Aug 18, 2021

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE APPROACHING ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE REAR, THE ADVANCE BRAKE ASSIST FAILED TO PERFORM AS NEEDED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,912.

NHTSA ID

11417579

Incident

Feb 15, 2021

Mileage

3,912 mi

WE WERE IN A FRONT IMPACT VEHICLE ACCIDENT. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, BRAKES FAILED AFTER IMPACT AND THE ENGINE DIDN'T SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE ECU POWER RELAY FOR THE ENGINE TO STOP.

NHTSA ID

11402644

Incident

Mar 12, 2021

Mileage

1,400 mi