The Lemon IndexAll cars · Jeep Grand Cherokee
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is worse than average by owner complaints: 318 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 125, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about steering, it has 16 recalls, and it gets 13 to 21 mpg combined. The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2011–2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 21.5M views. The 2021 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.2M views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Battery Replacement - 2011-2022LJs Garage · 634K views · 11 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring2.2M views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Headlight Bulb Replacement (2011-2019)Inspiring Builds · 893K views · 5 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x41.2M views
Shifting The Transfer Case In and Out of Neutral On a 2018 Jeep Grand CherokeeBusMaster99 · 264K views · 10 videos - Transmission & shifter578K views
How to Use Transmission Oil Dipstick 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 218K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door439K views
How to Replace HVAC Blend Door Actuator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 127K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils392K views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Spark Plug Replacement | 2018 WK2 3.6LOutJeeping · 211K views · 2 videos - Cooling system285K views
How to Replace Radiator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 195K views · 2 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets207K views
How to Replace Oil Filter Housing and Cooler 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 207K views
Before you buy, watch
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 views
Is The Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 2014-2021 Reliable?! What You Need To Know! 3.6 V6, 4WD, OverlandLJs Garage · 290K 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 500 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Grand 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 2K to 57K miles on the car (78 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- steering complaints mostly came at 2K–41K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 11K–50K miles
Recalls 16
- suspension 2026
The rear coil springs may be incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving.
- suspension 2026
The rear coil springs may be incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving.
- equipment 2025
The center stack upper display (DCSD) contains a transistor that may overheat and prevent the rearview camera image from displaying.
Show all 16 recalls
- airbags 2024
An improperly secured connector for the front seat side air bags (SAB) may prevent the air bags from deploying.
- back over prevention 2024
The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying.
- suspension 2024
The upper control arm ball joint and steering knuckle may separate and cause the wheel to fall outward, resulting in a loss of vehicle control.
- back over prevention 2023
The Central Vision Park Assist module (CVPAM) software may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse.
- suspension 2023
The rear coil springs may have been incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving.
- steering 2023
An incorrectly assembled steering column intermediate shaft may disconnect from the u-joint, and result in a loss of steering control.
- lights 2022
The tail light side marker assemblies may be damaged and not illuminate.
- engine 2022
The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.
- child seat 2022
These vehicles may have been built with a missing weld from the seat back frame to the child seat tether anchorage.
- lights 2021
An incomplete SLM software update may cause one or both headlights to become inoperable.
- airbags 2021
The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may have incorrect software which can disable the driver, passenger, and knee air bags without warning.
- lights 2021
When the master lighting switch is set to the auto position, the high beam headlights will not activate unless the master lighting switch is first changed to the 'on" position.
- visibility 2021
A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying.
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 1328 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Customer complaints may include abnormal engine noise, rough idle, lack of power, misfire
- Customer complaint may include engine oil leak/consumption
- CEL (Check Engine Lamp) On, DTC P0197 Engine Oil Temperature Low
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenRecall 23v-413 post remedy failures2025
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–6150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
Warning came up that Power steering is unavailable. There have also been numerous occasions before this where no warning has come on, but the steering wheel has a bad vibration while driving
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 11453764
More owner reports
April 8th 2024 jeep was at total stop then car jolted forward and unable to stop the vehicle from driving forward lost control of car until it hit a car then fence then a brick wall total loss both air bags deployed
NHTSA complaint 11585996
Power steering randomly goes out and random electrical issues and faulty sensors indicators. Vehicle has 8,000 miles I fear for my safety to safely operate this vehicle putting my life in danger and others on the highway.
NHTSA complaint 11452999
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 125; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (32%), electrical (27%) and engine (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
16 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?
13 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 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 Grand Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 2,900 and 57,200 miles. The middle report was at 24,000 miles, from 78 complaints.
Does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $6150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
What Jeep Grand Cherokee year is better than the 2021?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2020.
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