Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 166 safety complaints
about the 2021 Jeep Cherokee with the US government. Of those, 10 describe a crash, 4 mention a fire, 8 people were injured and no death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.
The most complained-about system is the power train,
named in 96 complaints, 58% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 49,000 miles,
the median across the 31
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers February 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
166 complaints on file
166
Complaints
10
Describe a crash
4
Mention fire
8
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
Complaints more than doubled year on year: 51 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 24 in the twelve before.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
POWER TRAIN 96 · 58%
96 58%
ENGINE 27 · 16%
27 16%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 24 · 14%
24 14%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 23 · 14%
23 14%
SERVICE BRAKES 13 · 8%
13 8%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 10 · 6%
10 6%
AIR BAGS 8 · 5%
8 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 · 3%
5 3%
SUSPENSION 5 · 3%
5 3%
STEERING 3 · 2%
3 2%
LANE DEPARTURE 2 · 1%
2 1%
SEAT BELTS 2 · 1%
2 1%
03877
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 166.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2026 at 56.
60 45 30 15
212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2021 Jeep CHEROKEE, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
SUV 4WD
SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
16.9%
17.4%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
The risk
A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The 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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 61,711 vehicles across all model years covered
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."
The risk
An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The 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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 13 vehicles across all model years covered
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLER/RADIATOR:HOSES AND FITTINGS
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.
The risk
A transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) · up to 18,800 vehicles across all model years covered
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude and Jeep Cherokee Limited vehicles. One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving.
The risk
A front lower control arm fracture while driving may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning.
The remedy
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front lower control arms and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W81. Note: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired if needed.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) · up to 698 vehicles across all model years covered
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed · 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph and crossing an intersection, he crashed into another vehicle head-on. The contact stated the air bags did not deploy and the driver-side seat belt did not retract. The contact sustained injuries on his chest due to hitting the steering wheel and had bruises/swelling on his right foot. The contact sought medical attention at a nearby hospital. The contact stated the other driver was taken by an ambulance but was unaware of their injuries. A police report was filed. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and stated he saw smoke from the engine due to the antifreeze leaking. The vehicle was not …
NHTSA complaint 11500272, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
2 injured · crash · towed
Was driving down hwy and vehicle pulled out directly in front of me. Nothing i could do but hit the brakes. Severe front end damage done to my 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Airbags did not deploy. There were injuries. No one can figure out why the airbags didn't deploy on either the passenger side nor the driver side. Thankfully no one was killed. I believe there to be a defect in the airbags on this vehicle of not deploying. The collision was fast enough and enough front end damage to deploy. The airbags in the other vehicle that was involved deployed just fine. Ours however didn't. Asking Jeep to look at their 2021 cherokee models.
NHTSA complaint 11513670. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · fire · crash · towed · 40,000 miles
The contact rented a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude. The contact stated while driving approximately 70mph when the contact lost control of the vehicle and experienced a head-on collision to the front end of the vehicle. While the contact was attempting to leave the vehicle post-accident, the driver-side interior door handle would not function and open the driver-side door. Which resulted in the contact having to open the door via the exterior door handle. All airbags deployed minus driver-side airbags. A police report was filed and the contact sought medical treatment and sustained a mild concussion, a hematoma on legs, and bruising on the chest abdomen, and face. The vehicle was towed to a …
NHTSA complaint 11438645, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash · towed
I was involved in an accident on May 27, 2021 with my brand new Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2021, less than 3 k miles. Another driver ran a red light and I t-boned him, all of his air bags went off, but none of my air bags deployed. Hit the steering wheel with my chest, arms, hit the under dash area with knees and ankles as a result and am pretty bruised up.
NHTSA complaint 11419036. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
We experienced Jeep Recall 40D. NHTSA 26V-290. We were 60 miles from [XXX] when this occurred. We were traveling West on [XXX] about 60 miles from Rapid City. We were 1500 miles from our home in [XXX]. The speed limit is 80 mph on this part of the interstate. With no warning the vehicle quit on us. With some grinding noises and no power we drifted to the side of the highway. We received 4WD service messages. I was able to pull the PTU 20amp fuse, which put the car into limp mode(50 mph max). We got off [XXX], a few miles down the road. We entered the [XXX] and got on [XXX] into [XXX] about 70 miles away. We took the Jeep Cherokee to Liberty Jeep and they verified we did indeed encounter …
NHTSA complaint 11767345, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN I have found this recall notice online but have not had any direct contact from the manufacturer MOPAR about the recall. This recall sounds like a significant safety issue, I need to know if I should discontinue drive the vehicle and be provided another means of transportation.
NHTSA complaint 11767252. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
My power train unit (ptu) failed March 2026. At the time, no recall was in effect. I had to hire an independent mechanic to fix the issue because the local Jeep dealerships couldn’t start repair for five days after the ptu failed. After paying $4700 out of pocket for an official Jeep PTU replacement part, Jeep sent out a recall for the Cherokee. In May 2026, Jeep sent out a recall notice for 2019-2023 Cherokees for PTU failures. This affected 60,000 vehicles. I have a 2021 Cherokee. However, my specific VIN was not a part of the recall. As of today, my vehicle still has not been recalled. I contacted Jeep Customer Service to be reimbursed for my repair expense. However, they said I was not …
NHTSA complaint 11767260, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
My 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk has been effectively unusable since April 19, 2026 due to the PTU issue associated with FCA Recall 40D/NHTSA Recall 26V-290. I previously filed a complaint regarding this vehicle. It has now been 5 months with no repair remedy available. Due to being told by the certified dealer, Mopar, Jeep/Stellantis (who closed my claim because they claim the vehicle is safe to drive despite of having an outstanding safety recall) I thought I would attempt to drive the vehicle again. On September 15, 2026, the vehicle lost all motive power while I was traveling approximately 65 mph on the highway on my daily commute. I had to coast the vehicle to the shoulder. This is the …
NHTSA complaint 11766914, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
While I was driving, I suddenly heard an extremely loud popping/banging noise that sounded like a gunshot. Immediately afterward, I discovered that the moonroof glass had shattered. Nothing fell onto or struck the vehicle, and nothing from inside the vehicle hit the glass. There were no warning lights, messages, or noticeable symptoms beforehand. The glass appeared to shatter suddenly and without an obvious external impact. To the best of my knowledge, the cause is unknown, and I am reporting the incident because the moonroof glass appeared to fail unexpectedly during normal driving.
NHTSA complaint 11765006. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN
Car does not go into 4wd. Svc light is on. Now loud clanging under feet and car won’t go over 35 Moh
NHTSA complaint 11764604. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed May 7, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst