2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems

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)

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

Steering is erratic while driving. Car is shifting left and right by itself while driving down the road feeling like the tires want to go different directions from one another. Steering wheel makes noticeable movement on its own left and right while going down a straight smooth road.

The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while making a left-hand turn, the wheels on the vehicle failed to follow the trajectory of the movement and failed to function as intended, and moved toward the curb. The vehicle came to a stop when it hit the curb. It was unknown if any warning lights were illuminated. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. The contact exited the vehicle, and upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front right and rear passenger-side tires were facing inwards. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The contact was not injured. No police report was filed. The insurance company was notified and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.

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)

My son’s car drifted to the right past the white line and he ended up hitting a hydrant and continued at least 100 ft before stopping. Our dash cam showed a slow smooth drift to the right without any lane assist being activated to pull the car back. All safety features were activated and turned on the day we bought the car for him. It was the main reason we chose this model. He is very lucky to be alive. After the impact, the car just barely missed a business sign, a telephone pole and a tree. The car was declared totaled. Unfortunately, the total amount the insurance is offering is about 4k short of what we still owe. Words cannot express how lucky we are that our son is okay, but we are very angry that the features we bought the car for, failed him.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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.

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

BE ASVISED, THIS REPORT MAY BE INTERCEPTED, DELETED, HIDDEN, OR MODIFIED UPON RECEIVING. NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION Vehicle Safety Complaint Complainant: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee ------------------------------------- SAFETY DEFECT COMPLAINT – POST-REPAIR VEHICLE CONDITION I am reporting a serious safety concern involving my vehicle following collision repairs performed by Gerber Collision & Glass under a claim handled by State Farm Insurance. After the repair, the vehicle began exhibiting multiple safety-related issues, including: - Steering instability and shaking - Engine performance issues and abnormal noise - HVAC malfunction - Persistent chemical and/or coolant odors - Physical symptoms while driving, including dizziness, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath I returned to the repair facility with photographic evidence showing parts with visible wear and damage that appear inconsistent with proper replacement. Despite this, no diagnostic evaluation was performed, and no corrective action was taken. The repair facility has refused to address the condition of these parts, and the insurer has refused to authorize further inspection. Additionally, there are discrepancies between the insurance estimate and the final repair invoice, raising concerns about whether the documented work matches what was actually performed, including work involving structural components such as the cradle/subframe. I believe this vehicle may be unsafe to operate and that the repair may have introduced or failed to correct conditions that pose a risk to driver safety. I request that this matter be reviewed as a potential safety defect related to post-collision repair. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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.

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.

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.

Driver's seat belt retractor doesn't retract all of the time. Hangs up & leaves slack. Bought car & wasn't as bad. Didn't talk to dealer until now. Drove car 800 miles & 4 months since purchase. Dealer service dept says no extended warranty etc. I'm past the original warranty period & the 3 month certified used car warranty. Car was sold on Oct 14, 2025. The equipment checklist form marked that all safety systems were working. I feel a slack belt, getting worse is a safety issue the manufacturer should fix in a 5 year old car. Date is now when it's gotten really slow. It was somewhat that way at purchase. Needed to be shook to retract. Al

Rear windshield randomly exploded. Defroster was NOT on, no rapid change in temps, nothing on the road, nor people around. I’d been driving 2-3 hours already on this morning it occurred. Temps were around 30-40f

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the sunroof glass fractured without impact. The contact stated that the sound was like a gun shot. In addition, the contact stated that the glass pieces entered the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that a piece of the fractured glass was lodged in her right eye. The contact stated that the failure occurred while on vacation and traveling out of state. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and agreed to assist with a nominal part of the cost of the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 63,500.

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.

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.

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.

I was sitting inside my home when all of the sudden I heard a loud boom, walked outside and saw my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee on fire. The fire started in the front and moved to the back of the vehicle. The engine had been off for about 2 hours and vehicle was sitting in the driveway. My son's car seat, stroller and many other belongings were ruined in the fire. A police report was not filed, but a fire report was.

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.

Passenger seat lumbar inflated out and won't go back down. It has also popped off the back plastic on the seat. This is a known issue as we have found multiple incidents online. It is causing discomfort and pain when sitting. No inspections yet as we fear it could cost thousands to fix with less than 50k miles on the vehicle.

My vehicle has 22,000 miles on it. The dealer has determined that they are at 4/32 and are wearing prematurely. He also indicated that Jeep (Nielsen Jeep) is aware of this and it is simply unfortunate that all four (4) tires (Michelin Premier LTX, 265/60R18) on my vehicle wore evenly and prematurely. As I indicated to the dealership servicing my vehicle, the tires do not grip in inclement weather and often result in skids, a safety issue especially when my two 12yr olds are in the vehicle with me. Tire warranted at 55,000 miles should not wear prematurely and thus making it unsafe to operate the vehicle.