NHTSA has received 173 owner complaints about the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, or 29.9 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.74, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2021 vehicles we track, it ranks #52 of 85 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Jeep models its rate is 55% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 50% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2021-02-14 and 2026-10-12. Median delay from incident to filing: 11 days.
173Complaints
29.9Complaints per year on the road
0.74Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
4Recalls
7.5%Share involving a crash or fire
78Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2020) drew 47.7 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2022) drew 10.7 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2021 model collected 29 complaints, 53% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (52.0% of complaints), followed by Engine (16.2%) and Unspecified or other (8.7%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 4.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. 13 reports (7.5%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 8 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 54 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was years three to five (34% of incidents). In the last 12 months 78 new complaints were filed, versus 33 in the 12 months before — up 136%.
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.74
vs. other Jeep models0.45
vs. other 2021 models0.77
vs. other Compact SUVs0.5
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (29)0.47
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle's wheels locked up. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and whiplash and pain. The service 4WD warning light was illuminated after the failure.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-27 · ODI 11753043
Car accident on 1/24 hit tree head on around 35 mph with NO airbags deploying. Suffered from concussion and whiplash, and potential of more serious injury. Insurance will be inspecting vehicle in the next week to determine total loss.
Jeep Cherokee suffered the exact PTU failure detailed in NHTSA Campaign 26V290, and it has been sitting at a dealership since August 17 because the manufacturer has failed to provide a remedy. Dealership confirmed the issue is a PTU failure.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-10-12 · ODI 11770649
I am reporting a safety concern involving the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system on my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Altitude FWD with a 2.4L engine.
Driver-assist systems · 2026-10-09 · ODI 11770259
I entered my vehicle and noted the panel below the steering column was sagging. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be an airbag, specifically the driver-side knee bolster air bag.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-10-06 · ODI 11769343
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were 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.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN Campaign 24V516000 · 2024-07-08
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."
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLER/RADIATOR:HOSES AND FITTINGS Campaign 21V310000 · 2021-05-04
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.
Risk: A transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.
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.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM Campaign 20V657000 · 2020-10-27
Summary: 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.
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.
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.
