2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
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What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical2523.6%
- Driver assistance2119.8%
- Steering1514.2%
- Powertrain (other)1211.3%
- Engine87.5%
- Interior & seats65.7%
- Suspension54.7%
- Brakes43.8%
- Airbags21.9%
- Fuel system21.9%
- Exterior lighting21.9%
- Seat belts21.9%
- Other / unspecified10.9%
- Visibility10.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
While my wife was driving our 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee on [XXX] northbound in NY on the way with our children to school, she experienced a loss of steering as the wheel became almost impossible to turn. At the same time, the power steering light came on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
THE PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT ALERT WHEN OPENING OR CLOSE . THE TBM MODULE DOES NOT UPDATE CAUSING A FEE OF $198.95
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
This is the second time I got into an accident and the (ADAS) made me crash.. I was far enough to brake safely but the system keeps me going forward..it drags me as if there is ice on the ground..if it was off my car would not have been in any of these accidents..this feature is not safe..I feel like my life is in danger when it is on
When a car in front of me is slowing down while the adaptive crusie control is on and I have the distance set to 3 or 4 lengths, the farthest one available, and the adaptive cruise control is set, the car will start slwoing down like the cars ahead of me and if I switch lanes to go around of the car that is slowing down and there is another car in front of me of the lane I move into that adaptive crusie control acts as if there is no car in front of me in the lane and will begin to accelerate until I engage the brake. So for example I'm traveling in the far right lane of a four lane road, two going north and two going south. I have my adaptive crusie control on and set to 50 MPH and the distance set to 4 car lengths (max) and then the car in front of me starts to slw down. The adaptive crusie control will adjust and start to slow down as well. So I decide to get into the next lane over to my left, where there also happens to be another car 1 or 2 car lengths in front of me, the adaptive crusie control will not detect that car after lane change and will begin to accelerate back up to 50 MPH when it should still be slowing down to avoid a collision. This has happened multiple times.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Power steering failed. It is currently at the dealership having the rack and pinion replaced.
I am reporting that the vehicle is having a constant knocking sound and weird rocking driving problem when in motion leading to pulling to one side and uneven balancing even with perfect alignment and no alignment issues. Vehicle has been serviced at the dealership without any remedy to the problem and was informed that other vehicles for the same model type Jeep 2021 Grand Cherokee L. Control Arms and other components were replaced and the problem was not resolved
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
On April 24,2026 , as pull out my driveway heading to work only to get a 1/4 mile from home car stopped in highway. As I power and restarted tried to select a different gear never went in gear. Towed by to dealership as confirmed transmission was stuck with inly 67000. They replaced with new transmission & drive shaft, costing over $7,000. Warranty company paid part of rent car but still out of $300
I brought my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L to the dealership for its scheduled ~40,000 mile service. During that visit, I specifically reported that something felt off with the transmission/drivetrain. The dealership inspected the vehicle and stated that no issues were found. Approximately one week later, the vehicle experienced a sudden and severe drivetrain failure. While driving approximately 45 mph on a surface street and accelerating to cruising speed, the vehicle began shaking violently. There were loud mechanical noises from underneath the vehicle consistent with components coming apart. At the same time, the vehicle lost all ability to accelerate. Pressing the accelerator produced no forward movement. Due to the loss of power, I was forced to coast out of active traffic and onto a side street where I was able to safely stop. The condition was sustained and the vehicle was not drivable after the incident. When attempting to assist the tow truck driver, I shifted the vehicle to drive and pressed the accelerator. The engine revved but the vehicle did not move. When shifting back to park, the vehicle displayed an error message: “Cannot shift to Park, vehicle moving too quickly,” despite being stationary. This failure created a safety hazard due to loss of acceleration and unpredictable vehicle behavior. This is particularly concerning because a drivetrain issue was reported during a service visit shortly before the failure and was not identified. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. The issue occurred suddenly and without advance indication. The vehicle had recently been serviced and cleared by the dealership despite a reported drivetrain concern. A failure of this nature at speed could significantly increase the risk of a crash, depending on traffic conditions.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
My AC compressor and condenser have stopped working without any reason. The air conditioner does not work at all, it does not make the air cold and the heat in [XXX] is lethal. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I was driving my vehicle home after a nearby out of town errand. I was on US-95 between Potlatch ID and Moscow ID which is a very hilly, curvy 2-lane 60mph highway with little to no cell service. As I ascended my first big hill, my engine light came on flashing and the ride became noticeably bumpy. I could not call anyone for many miles yet, so I put on my safety hazards and continued driving, hoping to make it to town. With each hill my car became more unstable and seemed to be struggling to accelerate. Once I had cell service just outside of Moscow I called my husband to tell him what was happening, where I was at and proceeded to head to an auto repair shop. Once I drove into Moscow, my car was incredibly shaky and noisy and the engine seemed to struggle to stay engaged at stop lights. I brought it to Hive auto repair and they told me that my engine was misfiring, but that they would run a level 1 diagnostic that day. When they called with the results, they confirmed the following information: Scanned for DTCs and found P0301 - Cylinder 1 Misfire Detected. On this 3.6L engine, Cylinder 1 is located beneath the intake manifold, requiring intake removal for further access and testing.-- I continued to level 2 inspection and removal of the manifold which showed significant problems within the engine at Cylinder Head 1. There was oil intrusion and low compression, consistent with warping of the head. They said that this was a known issue with this engine on Stellantis vehicles because of an EGR valve on cylinder 1 2018/2022. Even though I had my Jeep regularly serviced at McGee Jeep in Barre VT, they never tested for this because it wasn't recommended or in the scheduled maintenance. But when I spoke with them they confirmed this is a known issue. I understand it is a severe, dangerous and expensive repair, but usually occurs after the warranty expires. I now have an unsafe, undriveable vehicle with a $14k repair pending.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front passenger's seat lumbar system independently inflated and failed to deflate as intended. The contact stated that the excessive inflation caused the seat back pocket to fracture. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure was a safety hazard because of the air bags. The dealer was made aware of the failure, and an appointment was scheduled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with similar vehicles. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 57,000.
Passenger seat will always become inflated and will not deflate at times. The vehicle is shut down and seat is properly deflated, overnight it will return to inflated. This seems very unsafe for any passenger.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am reporting that the vehicle is having a constant knocking sound and weird rocking driving problem when in motion leading to pulling to one side and uneven balancing even with perfect alignment and no alignment issues. Vehicle has been serviced at the dealership without any remedy to the problem and was informed that other vehicles for the same model type Jeep 2021 Grand Cherokee L. Control Arms and other components were replaced and the problem was not resolved
While my wife was driving our 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee on [XXX] northbound in NY on the way with our children to school, she experienced a loss of steering as the wheel became almost impossible to turn. At the same time, the power steering light came on. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
This is the second time I got into an accident and the (ADAS) made me crash.. I was far enough to brake safely but the system keeps me going forward..it drags me as if there is ice on the ground..if it was off my car would not have been in any of these accidents..this feature is not safe..I feel like my life is in danger when it is on
Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Issue Type: Electrical System / Loss of Power / Braking System While operating my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L on Interstate 40 at approximately 70 miles per hour, with two minor children in the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly and without any prior warning began to rapidly decelerate, despite continued pressure on the accelerator pedal. At the time the deceleration began, there were no warning lights, alerts, or indications of any malfunction. The vehicle exhibited a significant loss of power, and it felt as though it was being mechanically restricted or “dragging,” severely limiting its ability to maintain highway speed. Only after the vehicle had already begun to decelerate did a brake system warning indicator appear on the dashboard. This sequence of events indicates that the warning system did not provide advance notice of the failure. This sudden and uncommanded deceleration created an immediate and serious safety hazard, particularly given the vehicle’s speed and surrounding interstate traffic. The inability of the vehicle to respond appropriately to acceleration input placed occupants at risk of a rear-end collision or other serious traffic incident. Although the warning indicator later turned off, the vehicle continued to operate abnormally, with ongoing reduced acceleration and diminished responsiveness. This incident occurred without prior warning, and the delayed activation of the brake warning indicator raises serious concerns regarding a potential defect involving the vehicle’s electrical, braking, and/or powertrain control systems, including possible failure of system monitoring or alert mechanisms. Given the circumstances including highway speed, sudden loss of propulsion, delayed warning notification, and the presence of child passengers. I respectfully request that this issue be formally investigated as a safety-related defect.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am reporting a failure of the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) in my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland. The failure is manifesting as an error message saying "service transmission" and the code that it is throwing says that the paddle shifters are overheating. This component is identical to the modules currently under Safety Recall 36B (NHTSA 24V-199) and Equipment Recall 15B (NHTSA 24E-025). The manufacturer has admitted that these modules possess an internal weld defect that prevents the driver’s side airbag from deploying in the event of a crash. Despite the clear safety risk and the fact that this model year/body style (WL) is the primary population for this defect, the manufacturer (Stellantis/Jeep) refuses to cover the repair, stating my specific VIN is not "flagged" in their internal database. I am concerned that the scope of the existing recalls is too narrow and that my vehicle is currently being operated with a non-functional or unreliable driver's airbag system due to this known hardware defect. I am requesting an investigation into why 2021 Grand Cherokee L models with these exact symptoms are being excluded from the safety remedy.
The airbags did not deploy
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
[XXX] approx.[XXX], while driving my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee on [XXX] the Jeep without any warning sputtered and stopped in the middle of traffic. I could not get the car to keep running, and finally wouldn't start at all. I called the Sarasota Sheriff's Dept who came to the scene and found the situation to be dangerous to my vehicle and others using [XXX] they towed the vehicle to Sarasota Jeep on South 41. Received a call from Jeep on July 14, 2025 they advised me it was the Fuel pump integrated Power module which led to the stalling and eventually preventing the Jeep from starting. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
My Jeep over the last year has automatically put itself into park while I’m driving down the highway! I’ve had near miss accidents due to this. No warning lights, no signs something is wrong. It just either slams itself into park and locks up, then won’t turn off. The last times without warning my engine shuts off, my screen pops up saying put into park to start engine and the vehicle puts itself into park automatically. It’s happens fast to! I was swerved by other drivers each time. Jeep will do NOTHING about this! My power steering goes out randomly also. This has happened more than once since the end of 2023! I’m now scared to drive it.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have had recalls on my vehicle since I purchased it and have taken it back to dealer and they state they are unable to fix them. I still have no brights still have a check engine light for the code on transfer case clutch and there is one that my tire could fall off. I drive 60 miles a day and have 3 small children this is very unsafe and they refuse to do anything about it
High Beam Headlights not working on Auto mode. Was inches away from Hitting a deer due to the high beam headlights not working. This would have been a very serious accident and I had my toddler in the car with me..... Same vehicle models have a recall for this, Recall is --- NHTSA Recall 21V-797, also known as Recall Y66, involves Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) vehicles due to a potential issue with difficulty activating high beams. The recall was issued because the high beam activation mechanism may not function as required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 S9, potentially reducing visibility for drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notified owners about this recall on October 28, 2021... Part Number - 68374988AA... Vehicle is 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Laredo 4x4 3.6L V6..... Dealership service will not service this since there isn't a recall shown for my Jeep vin specifically. Even though there are identical models that have this recall. Jeep Dealership wants over $900 just to check and maybe service this issue..... This is a very serious issue. I have already scheduled an appointment on 7/18/2025 to have 3 other recalls fixed at this dealership and would like to ask for you to please have them service this issue as well since this is an oversight on the manufacturers end..... This high beam issue was caused by an oversight during vehicle programming, affecting "Body Controller Modules" with part number 68374988AA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The contact stated that while attempting to latch the front driver’s side seat belt, the seat belt buckle pretensioner failed to remain latched. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed as needing a seat clasp replacement; however, parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The contact stated that the driver's side seat belt buckle was sticking. The contact was unable to lock the seat belt into the buckle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed and determined that the seat belt and the buckle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact found information on NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V180000 (Child Seat, Seats); however, the VIN was not included, and the recall involved a different seat inside the vehicle. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am reporting that the vehicle is having a constant knocking sound and weird rocking driving problem when in motion leading to pulling to one side and uneven balancing even with perfect alignment and no alignment issues. Vehicle has been serviced at the dealership without any remedy to the problem and was informed that other vehicles for the same model type Jeep 2021 Grand Cherokee L. Control Arms and other components were replaced and the problem was not resolved
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
High Beam Headlights not working on Auto mode. Was inches away from Hitting a deer due to the high beam headlights not working. This would have been a very serious accident and I had my toddler in the car with me..... Same vehicle models have a recall for this, Recall is --- NHTSA Recall 21V-797, also known as Recall Y66, involves Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) vehicles due to a potential issue with difficulty activating high beams. The recall was issued because the high beam activation mechanism may not function as required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108 S9, potentially reducing visibility for drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) notified owners about this recall on October 28, 2021... Part Number - 68374988AA... Vehicle is 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Laredo 4x4 3.6L V6..... Dealership service will not service this since there isn't a recall shown for my Jeep vin specifically. Even though there are identical models that have this recall. Jeep Dealership wants over $900 just to check and maybe service this issue..... This is a very serious issue. I have already scheduled an appointment on 7/18/2025 to have 3 other recalls fixed at this dealership and would like to ask for you to please have them service this issue as well since this is an oversight on the manufacturers end..... This high beam issue was caused by an oversight during vehicle programming, affecting "Body Controller Modules" with part number 68374988AA
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .