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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee is associated with 152 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 65 reports (43% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 17 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.6l 6-cyl, 5.7l 8-cyl, 6.4l 8-cyl, 6.2l 8-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, 2.4l 4-cyl, and 3.2l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 13 to 26 MPG combined.

Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 152 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (65 / 43%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 10 crash / 4 fire / 6 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 4 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 13–26 MPG across 17 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Grand Cherokee 2WD 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 19 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Grand Cherokee L 2WD 3.6L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 19 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Grand Cherokee L 4WD 3.6L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 18 MPG 25 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Grand Cherokee L 4WD 5.7L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 14 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
Grand Cherokee SRT 4WD 6.4L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 13 MPG 19 MPG 15 MPG — $5,050 / yr
Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 4WD 6.2L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 11 MPG 17 MPG 13 MPG — $5,850 / yr
Cherokee FWD 2L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 23 MPG 31 MPG 26 MPG — $2,350 / yr
Cherokee FWD 2.4L 4-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 22 MPG 31 MPG 25 MPG — $2,450 / yr
Cherokee 4WD 2L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 29 MPG 24 MPG — $2,550 / yr
Cherokee 4WD 2.4L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 21 MPG 29 MPG 24 MPG — $2,550 / yr
Cherokee FWD 3.2L 6-Cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 20 MPG 29 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II 2L 4-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 20 MPG 27 MPG 23 MPG — $2,650 / yr
Cherokee 4WD 3.2L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 19 MPG 27 MPG 22 MPG — $2,800 / yr
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II 3.2L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 18 MPG 26 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD 3.2L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 9-spd 18 MPG 24 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Grand Cherokee 4WD 3.6L 6-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 18 MPG 25 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Grand Cherokee 4WD 5.7L 8-Cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic 8-spd 14 MPG 22 MPG 17 MPG — $4,150 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
SUV FWD 17.4%
SUV 4WD 16.900000000000002%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Jeep Cherokee models.
View complete 2021 Jeep Cherokee crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?

Summary of 152 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
152
Crash Reports
10
Fire Reports
4
Complaints w/ Injury
6
Total Injuries
8

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 65 complaints
Engine 8 complaints
Air Bags 4 complaints (4 crashes)
Electrical System 4 complaints
POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER 4 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2021 Jeep Cherokee problems & component breakdown (46 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #26V290000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
NHTSA Campaign #24V516000 Active Recall
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the right-side curtain air bag may prevent the air bag from deploying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard numbers 214, "Side Impact Protection" and 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 71B.
NHTSA Campaign #21V310000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLER/RADIATOR:HOSES AND FITTINGS

Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.

Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the hose, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y18.
View all 2021 Jeep Cherokee recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2021 Jeep Cherokee

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee

How many safety recalls does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have?

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee is associated with 4 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

View all 4 recall campaigns & remedy details →
Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?

NHTSA records list 152 consumer defect complaints for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 65 filings (43% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Explore full 2021 Jeep Cherokee defect complaint breakdown →
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2021 Jeep Cherokee earned an Overall Safety Rating of 4 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

View detailed crash test laboratory breakdown →
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee range from 13 to 26 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Compare MPG ratings across all certified trims →
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.