2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Owner Complaints

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, VIN [XXX], about 90,000 miles. On XXX, the Uconnect 5 center display went blank and has stayed blank, blinking on and off while driving. The rearview camera image displays through this screen, so when the screen is blank I have no backup camera image. This matches recall 25V083000 / 11C, a transistor that may overheat and prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. NHTSA showed no open recalls for my VIN, and a dealer told me my car is a WK, not a WL, which is incorrect - the Grand Cherokee L is a WL. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11776955

Incident

Oct 9, 2026

September 1: The vehicle triggered diagnostic trouble code P0306 (Cylinder 6 Misfire). It was immediately taken to an independent mechanic where the spark plugs were replaced to address the misfire. September 30: The engine suddenly refused to crank or start. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed a completely blown starter motor and noted thick white smoke billowing from the tailpipe upon replacement. Further testing revealed that engine coolant had flooded into Cylinder 6. Present: The vehicle was towed to an authorized Jeep Dealership for a comprehensive engine teardown. The dealership technicians confirmed that both the cylinder head and the engine block deck are permanently warped due to extreme localized thermal stress. Dealership advised coolant was not low and no codes on the computer to show that there was overheating occurring. All oil changes were done at the dealership and stellantis don't want to help with the replacement of the engine goodwill offered 10,500 digital imaging says no my fault I drove it overheating Coolant not low per dealership and no lights how was I to know it was overheating

NHTSA ID

11775845

Incident

Oct 1, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop light and making a right turn, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. The vehicle was parked immediately, and a tow truck was dispatched to the scene. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing, and it was determined that the power transfer unit (PTU) and module failed and required replacement. The contact was informed that the replacement parts were on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.

NHTSA ID

11775565

Incident

Oct 30, 2026

Mileage

111,000 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that there were metal shavings inside the oil pan. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

NHTSA ID

11774531

Incident

Jul 28, 2026

Mileage

65,000 mi

Oil Filter Housing/Oil Cooler Failure Causing Oil and Coolant Contamination, Serpentine Belt Failure, and Engine Overheating My 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo E, equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine, has developed a significant oil leak originating from the oil filter housing/oil cooler assembly. A mechanic has identified this assembly as the source of the oil leak and confirmed that its failure is allowing engine oil to mix with the coolant. In addition to internal oil and coolant contamination, engine oil is leaking externally onto surrounding engine components, potentially including the serpentine belt and pulley system. The vehicle recently experienced a complete serpentine belt failure while driving, resulting in engine overheating and requiring me to pull over immediately to prevent additional engine damage. I am concerned that oil leaking from the housing assembly may have contributed to the premature deterioration and failure of the serpentine belt. The oil contamination of the cooling system presents additional safety concerns, including reduced cooling efficiency, damage to cooling system components, and the possibility of severe engine damage or unexpected vehicle disablement. The combined risks of external oil leakage, internal coolant contamination, serpentine belt failure, and engine overheating create a potentially dangerous situation, particularly during highway driving. I am concerned that the oil filter housing/oil cooler assembly may have an underlying design or manufacturing defect. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue in 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with the 3.6L Pentastar engine and determine whether a safety recall or other corrective action is warranted.

NHTSA ID

11773595

Incident

Oct 15, 2026

Suspected Right-Rear Brake Caliper Failure Resulting in Sudden Vehicle Stop Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland 4x4 Incident date: [XXX] Location: Honolulu, Hawaii Approximate mileage: 64,000 miles Affected component: Right-rear brake caliper assembly On [XXX], while traveling approximately 5 mph, my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee experienced a sudden, violent mechanical jolt. The vehicle abruptly stopped, jerking forward and backward with substantial force. When I attempted to accelerate again, the vehicle felt physically restrained, as though something was preventing the wheel from rotating. The vehicle would not drive forward normally, and the AutoPark system engaged under certain conditions. After exiting the vehicle, I discovered a large bolt marked with an “M” lying in the roadway. I initially did not realize it belonged to my vehicle. The responding tow truck operator later identified the bolt as associated with the right-rear brake assembly. During his inspection, the tow truck operator discovered that the right-rear brake caliper was displaced and movable near the wheel. He repositioned the assembly sufficiently to facilitate towing the vehicle to Cutter Jeep in Pearl City, Hawaii. The vehicle’s front and rear brake pads and rotors had previously been replaced on [XXX], at Wolfchase Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Tennessee using genuine Mopar parts. The vehicle had approximately 50,006 miles at that service. The dealership confirmed a two-year parts warranty in writing. The vehicle also underwent routine maintenance at Cutter Jeep on June 26, 2026. I am extremely concerned that this mechanical failure caused my vehicle to stop abruptly at very low speed. Had the same failure occurred while traveling at highway speed, it could potentially have resulted in a serious loss-of-control collision. I am requesting that NHTSA evaluate this incident as a potential vehicle safety defect involving the right-rear brake caliper mounti INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.

NHTSA ID

11771414

Incident

Oct 13, 2026

I was driving 65 MPH on a highway in high traffic and the Fuel propulsion system failed without any lights or warning. It just stop responding to accerlation. It was extremely dangerous and CDOT had to come rescue us. We are lucky we were not hurt or killed. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is only 5 years old and has 46,000 miles on it. The fuel pump needs a complete replacement. It is months out of warranty but still there should be 50,000-100,000 miles left on this part.

NHTSA ID

11770712

Incident

Oct 8, 2026

Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, 3.6L V6 Incident Date: [XXX] Location: [XXX] Safety Complaint: On [XXX], while driving my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland on [XXX], the vehicle suddenly lost accelerator response while traveling on the highway. The engine initially remained running, but pressing the accelerator pedal produced no response. Multiple warning indicators illuminated simultaneously, including the electronic throttle control, ABS, traction control, airbag, and four-wheel-drive systems. The vehicle also exhibited unusual electrical behavior, including unexpected activation of the high-beam headlights. The vehicle subsequently became completely inoperable and would no longer crank or start. The sudden loss of propulsion while traveling in highway traffic created a serious safety hazard and placed me at risk of a collision. This incident follows an extensive history of significant mechanical failures and repairs to this vehicle, including: Replacement of the cylinder head following repeated overheating and engine misfires. Complete transmission replacement following transmission-related failures. Replacement of the radiator and cooling fan assembly TWICE within approximately one year, most recently during a trip to North Carolina. Additional mechanical concerns, including a camshaft-related diagnostic trouble code. Despite these major component replacements, the vehicle continues to experience serious reliability and operational failures. These repeated problems have occurred despite attempts to address them through dealership repairs and manufacturer warranty assistance. Stellantis previously extended the vehicle's warranty as a goodwill gesture following earlier issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11770597

Incident

Oct 11, 2026

The driver’s seatbelt sensor constantly goes off as not detecting that the seatbelt is buckled, while driving; this causes the alarm to continuously beep and also disables the airbag. Aside from the seatbelt issue, there is a standalone airbag issue that has been detected by the car’s health report multiple times. The drive shaft is also defective, causing the car to shake when the car hits 73 mph. The auto stop/start also disables on its own. I have taken it to the dealership to get all of this fixed but all issues have persisted. There are active recalls on these issues for other 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokees but they are not attached to my vehicle even though my vehicle has the same recall issues.

NHTSA ID

11768081

Incident

Jan 21, 2023

My 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit with approximately 39,000 miles. The leather dashboard is delaminating and separating from the substrate. My Jeep dealer has inspected it and checked my VIN. They confirmed that Jeep previously provided extended coverage for essentially this type of dashboard delamination on 2011–2014 Grand Cherokees, but my VIN isn’t included. The vehicle is only slightly beyond the 36,000-mile basic warranty, and I don’t believe a premium leather dashboard should be delaminating at this age and mileage.

NHTSA ID

11767689

Incident

Sep 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was large puff of smoke coming from the driver's side of the vehicle while coming to a stop. The contact became aware of a brake fluid leak, causing a complete loss of brake pressure and braking power. The brake fluid was leaking more when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic and the technicians discovered that the catalytic converter was melted, causing severe heat damage to the adjacent brake lines. The contact stated no other parts were damaged. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the technicians were unable to duplicate the original failure. The dealer was unable to determine what caused the catalytic converter to collapse onto the heat shield near the brake lines. The contact stated that the dealer offered to repair the vehicle by rerouting the brake lines. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 46,116.

NHTSA ID

11767030

Incident

Sep 11, 2026

Mileage

46,116 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle jumped. The contact stated that while driving 8–9 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure reoccurred. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission was replaced in 2025. The contact was informed that the air bag was not covered under unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11762877

Incident

Sep 23, 2025

Mileage

42,000 mi

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and attempting to use the key fob to open the hatch, the hatch failed to open. The contact opened the hatch manually, and a bolt became loose, and the hatch struck the contact on the back. The contact’s back was sore from the impact and hurt while moving. The service center where the vehicle was purchased was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

NHTSA ID

11762191

Incident

Sep 3, 2026

Mileage

82,000 mi

Final drive control module, transfercase control module went out. Causing “Service 4WD” message Check-engine/MIL light 4WD system becoming unavailable Trouble codes related to the drivetrain control module Intermittent 4WD problems Speed issues

NHTSA ID

11759412

Incident

Jun 1, 2026

On [XXX] while driving in northeastern colorado on hevily traveled [XXX] without warnin lamps, messages or other symptoms my vehicle stopped running. I was in a lane of traffic and since car had stalled out I had limited steering, braking etc. I did manage to get my vehicle out of the lane of traffic, however, still close to traffice traveling at high speeds past me.After about 30 very stressful minutes I managed to get law enforcement assistance. We were both still in a dangerous position where often wrecks happen by traffic veering and hitting vehicles on the side of the road. Vehicle was towed to Golden, CO for repair at Jeep and found to be failed fuel pump, which I understand Jeep is known for with recalls on other VIN numbers but my jeep was not included. Basic information that my 2021 Grand Cherokee had only 46, 933 miles on it. I believe this component never should have failed at this mileage. I believe that this year Jeep has had many fuel pump failures as jeep "just happened to have a fuel pump in stock". I also believe that this incident could have turned deadly had I not managed to get somewhat off the highway, especially for law enforcement and me. This year VIN should be included probably along with other in a Recall for the fuel pump. The dealer informed me this was not covered under warranty. Colorado has adopted California emissions however that starts with 2022 models and mine is 2021. Even after contesting this covering repairs was denied. With the hazardous position I was placed in, this definitely created a safety issue, especially if I had not managed to get out of the traffic lane. Having worked in the fire service for 19 years I had knowledge of the number of crashes occurring under these circumstances thus contributing to my stress level at the time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11758719

Incident

Jul 13, 2026

Electronic Throttle Control warning light comes on upon starting vehicle while extended crank occurs. When starting car, the push to start feature will not turn over and continuously cranks multiple times. Issue is intermittent- never know when it will happen which makes it difficult to replicate at service center. Took car into 2 mechanics on separate occasions and finally to the Jeep dealership for service. Because issue couldn’t be duplicated- nothing was done. However, recently while driving, same extended crank pattern noise and unstable/rough propulsion occurred while driving on the highway. Same Electronic throttle control warning light came on along with the check engine light. Also cruise control and the auto On Off feature became disabled. I scheduled service with my mechanic as soon as possible and they found the stored code was related to Technical Service Bulletin 2014-004-25 REV.B. This bulletin lists the symptoms I described yet the dealership did not perform the fuel pressure Test and Replace Fuel Pressure Regulator. I called the dealership to schedule warranty service for this TBS and they gave me difficulty acknowledging the TSB was issued for my make/model/year and scheduling a service appt. I spent the last few hours reading all of the complaints on NHTSA for 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee and it is alarming how many of the complaint are for this specific issue. It is dangerous for anyone on the road to be driving in a vehicle you can’t rely on to propel you forward when you press the gas or stall due to faulty fuel pressure regulator amid traffic. An investigation should be done. Furthermore, in reviewing other recalls, I found this is a recurrent issue for Jeep. It appears they’ve been various safety recalls issued for this in the past for vehicles made from 2011-2020. How they haven’t addressed it in new models is appalling. For owners of the vehicle, it’s difficult to have any leverage with dealership since it is not easy to replicate on demand.

NHTSA ID

11754729

Incident

Oct 30, 2025

I was driving back from the airport and as it began to get dark, it became apparent I had no headlights. I somehow managed to drive the last two hours home on parking lights and lights from other vehicles.I took it to a Chrysler Jeep dealership Goldies in Huntington, West Virginia. The exam that I put a bulb in the driver side. In the passenger side, the LED portion is still glowing, but is yellow green and they told me it would require a headline assembly which would call somewhere between 1500 and $2000. The bulb alone was just over $500. They told me that the filaments had cracked in the bulb despite no apparent damage to the vehicle. I owned an accurate T from 2008 to 2021 I and it never required new bulbs. I actually don’t do much nighttime driving so they could not have many hours on the lights. I don’t know what but something is wrong here.

NHTSA ID

11752887

Incident

Jul 11, 2026

While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden, unexpected engine stall and complete loss of propulsion due to a premature failure of the in-tank electric fuel pump. This failure occurred at only 37,000 miles, which is well below the expected lifespan of a major fuel system component. A sudden loss of engine power while operating at speed poses an immediate safety hazard, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision or leaving the vehicle stranded in active traffic. The fuel pump had to be replaced immediately to restore the vehicle to a safe operating condition. The original failed component was replaced by an independent repair facility, and all itemized repair orders and proof-of-payment receipts have been retained. I am logging this complaint to urge NHTSA to investigate a potential manufacturing defect in 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel delivery systems.

NHTSA ID

11750460

Incident

Jun 11, 2026

I had stopped at a red light and the auto start/stop turned off the car. It would not restart. The fault caused it to stay in Park and could not get out of Park to move vehicle. This not only caused a road hazard but made me and others unsafe. The cause was a enclosed fuse box that made batteries go bad. I feel Jeep should be responsible for this.

NHTSA ID

11744034

Incident

Jun 10, 2026

I’ve had to replace a total of two times my transmission, including the heater cooler, condenser antifreeze, coolant equipment The radiator tire rods. I have a document multiple documents that will show everything that has been done to my car because of all these malfunctioning parts inside of the car I’ve asked myself so many times why is my car not on recall two transmissions in less than five years it’s not normal. The First transmission was replaced before 10,000 miles and my car doesn’t even happy at 40,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11739065

Incident

Mar 26, 2024

Every time I hit a bumb or hole. The back end slides around. I’ve almost wrecked 100 times. And my tires wear down on tge back. Pleaee do something befor I kill someone or myself. The jeep is not safe. This is my 4 jeep and have had alot of problems

NHTSA ID

11738229

Incident

May 16, 2026

-Thermostat -car died in traffic -not that I know of -it was diagnosed by the dealer -no warning lights or lamps -not that I’m aware if

NHTSA ID

11737814

Incident

May 5, 2026

To Whom It May Concern: I am writing to formally notify you of a serious and dangerous safety defect involving the vehicle I purchased from Carvana on February 2, 2026. On April 9, 2026, while driving on the highway at 70 MPH, my truck stopped abruptly after experiencing a critical wheel failure. Upon exiting the vehicle, I notice that all the lug nuts were missing. I immediately located a tow driver that confirmed what I observed. The tow company towed the vehicles to a Dodge mechanic in Paducah, KY. Upon inspection by a certified mechanic, I was informed that the wheel failure was caused by either a improperly installed loose or too tightened lug nuts, resulting in damage to the wheel hub and wheel assembly, which condition represents a severe safety hazard that could have resulted in catastrophic injury or death. Prior to the malfunction, there were no warning lamps or messages until the actual event. When purchased, Carvana represented that its vehicles undergo thorough inspections and are safe for operation. However, this incident demonstrates a clear failure in inspection, preparation, or mechanical servicing, including but not limited to: •Failure to ensure lug nuts were properly installed and secured •Failure to identify an obvious and critical safety issue •Delivery of a vehicle that was not roadworthy at the time of sale A wheel detachment risk is not a minor and or normal wear and tear as stated by Carvana's warranty company Silver Rock Warranty and Carvana Warranty support team. The malfunction was a fundamental safety failure that any reasonable inspection would have identified and corrected prior to sale.

NHTSA ID

11736947

Incident

Apr 9, 2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and attempting to overtake another vehicle. The RPM was extremely elevated; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted the vehicle before resuming normal driving. The contact became aware that, when shifting between automatic and manual driving modes, the vehicle operated normally without hesitating. The vehicle was taken to several dealers on several occasions; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. In addition, the headlights occasionally shut off unexpectedly while driving at night. The contact would pull over and wait for the headlights to return before resuming normal driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

NHTSA ID

11729494

Incident

Apr 1, 2025

Mileage

50,000 mi

This submission is an update to NHTSA Complaint #11727024. The vehicle continues to experience recurring engine overheating and misfire conditions. These issues have been previously diagnosed and are consistent with known manufacturer Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) related to this engine. Despite this: The dealership has not performed the appropriate diagnostic protocol (including STAR testing) The manufacturer, Stellantis, closed my case without resolving the issue No repair or corrective action has been completed The vehicle remains in operation due to lack of manufacturer support. This condition presents a potential safety risk, including: Loss of power while driving Risk of engine failure or shutdown Increased risk during normal roadway operation The vehicle is regularly operated by my 17-year-old daughter, which increases concern regarding driver safety and reliability of the vehicle under these conditions. This situation reflects: A known defect documented by the manufacturer Failure of the dealer network to properly diagnose/repair Closure of a manufacturer case without resolution of a safety-related issue I am requesting that this complaint be reviewed as part of any broader pattern of similar failures and considered for further investigation.

NHTSA ID

11728882

Incident

Apr 2, 2026