The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee is associated with 400 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 12 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Other / Uncategorized, accounting for 32 reports (8% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.6l 6-cyl, 5.7l 8-cyl, 6.4l 8-cyl, and 6.2l 8-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 13 to 21 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 400 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 12 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Other / Uncategorized (32 / 8%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 20 crash / 8 fire / 12 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 13–21 MPG (8 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| 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 2WD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic 8-spd | 19 MPG | 26 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 |
| 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 |
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.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV 2WD | | | | | 20.4% |
| 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 Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee models.
View complete 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
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 Grand Cherokee problems & component breakdown (106 categories) →
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.
Affected Component: SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper control arm pinch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 2, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 10B.
Affected Component: BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
Defect Summary: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and 2022-2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles. The Central Vision Park Assist module (CVPAM) software may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Dealers will update the Central Vision Park Assist Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 56A.
View all 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls & campaign history (12 campaigns) →