The Lemon Index2021 Jeep Cherokee.
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee is better than average by owner complaints: 65 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 64, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 21 to 26 mpg combined. The best Jeep Cherokee year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2014–2023 Jeep Cherokee, 27.6M views. The 2021 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical927K views
2014 - 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Key Fob Not Detected - How To Start With Dead, Bad Key Fob BatteryPYR Automotive · 349K views · 5 videos - Oil changes & service492K views
How to reset the oil life on a 2014 Jeep CherokeeJimthecarguy · 492K views - Driveshaft, axles & 4x4469K views
👉 2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee HIGH ALTITUDE 4X4 - Ultimate In-Depth Look in 4KMikesCarInfo · 221K views · 3 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring408K views
2019 jeep cherokee maintenance light resetOil Light Reset · 235K views · 2 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door361K views
How to Replace HVAC Blend Door Actuator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 127K views · 3 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils327K views
How to Replace Spark Plugs 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 181K views · 2 videos - Transmission & shifter245K views
2015-2018 Jeep Cherokee U1465 and P1C86-1D Shifter PRDNL BezelMotorCity Mechanic · 128K views · 2 videos - Fuel pump, filter & tank181K views
How to Replace the fuel pump on the Jeep Cherokee 2014 to 2019Haynes Manuals · 181K views
Before you buy, watch
Should You Buy a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Thorough Review By A MechanicThe Car Care Nut Reviews · 519K views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Common Problems - 2011-2022 WK2Kurt of Trades · 497K views
Top 5 Problems Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2021 4th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 472K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 176 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Cherokee year. 2021 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 89K miles on the car (34 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 44K–113K miles
Recalls 4
- transmission & drivetrain 2026
The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
- airbags 2024
An improperly secured connector for the right-side curtain air bag may prevent the air bag from deploying as intended.
- transmission & drivetrain 2021
The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
Show all 4 recalls
- suspension 2020
One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 256 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Check engine lamp
- Customer complaint may include engine oil leak/consumption
- ADAPTER, Engine Oil Filter (Pentastar V6) All vehicles equipped with a 3.2L or 3.6L except for…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Jeep Cherokee SUV FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Powertrain unit failed at 74k mileage. This is a chronic issue with Jeep Cherokees and cost $3,400 to repair as warranty expired at 60k.
2021 Jeep Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 11615629
More owner reports
PTU failure or blockage. Only 30,000 miles. 3year factory warranty has passed by 2 months, part can be over 2,000$
NHTSA complaint 11603328
PTU is going out causing jeep to not have 4wd. 67k miles. Causing the jeep to not be able to get traction on a busy highway causing a traffic jam in snow. Putting peopleâs safety at jeopardy.
NHTSA complaint 11632934
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 64; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Cherokee year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2021 Jeep Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (34%), electrical (20%) and engine (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have?
4 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee get?
21 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2021 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 89,000 miles. The middle report was at 55,500 miles, from 34 complaints.
Does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 34% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
What Jeep Cherokee year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2020 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works