2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
401 NHTSA owner complaints · 12 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The WK2 Grand Cherokee (2011–2021) is a long-lived platform whose complaint record tells you which components Jeep fixed and when. The 2011–2012 years carry electrical complaints — the Totally Integrated Power Module, which controls fuel pump and lighting, was the subject of an investigation and a recall — along with the early Pentastar V6 cylinder-head issue. Read the full note on the model page. 2021 specifically: a year the record favours — 401 complaints, score 71/100. The caveats in the note apply to other years of this nameplate more than to this one.
Read the guide
Jeep Cherokee 2014 to 2023: the nine-speed years and the years that fixed it, including 2021 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-01.
Owner complaints: 401 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 80.2
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
Final drive control module, transfercase control module went out. Causing “Service 4WD” message Check-engine/MIL light 4WD system becoming unavailable Trouble codes related to the drivetrain control module Intermittent 4WD problems Speed issues
I was driving back from the airport and as it began to get dark, it became apparent I had no headlights. I somehow managed to drive the last two hours home on parking lights and lights from other vehicles.I took it to a Chrysler Jeep dealership Goldies in Huntington, West Virginia. The exam that I put a bulb in the driver side. In the passenger side, the LED portion is still glowing, but is yellow green and they told…
While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden, unexpected engine stall and complete loss of propulsion due to a premature failure of the in-tank electric fuel pump. This failure occurred at only 37,000 miles, which is well below the expected lifespan of a major fuel system component. A sudden loss of engine power while operating at speed poses an immediate safety hazard, increasing the risk of a rear-end collision…
Recalls: 12 campaigns (2 severe)
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 23V413000 | Suspension:Rear:Springs:Coil Springs | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The rear coil springs may have been incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving. |
| 21V950000 | Exterior Lighting:Lighting Control Module:Software | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with smart lighting modules (SLM). An incomplete SLM software update may cause one or both headlights to become inoperable. |
| 21V873000 | Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module:Software | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may have incorrect software which can disable the driver, passenger, and knee air bags without warning. |
| 24V436000 | Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 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. |
| 23V577000 | Back Over Prevention:Display Function | 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. |
| 21V797000 | Exterior Lighting:Headlights | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles not equipped with automatic high beams. 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. |
| 23V352000 | Steering:Column | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An incorrectly assembled steering column intermediate shaft may disconnect from the u-joint, and result in a loss of steering control. |
| 21V729000 | Visibility:Rearview Mirrors/Devices | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a mid-size SUV of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 21 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $2,950
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Electrical System114 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Steering102 complaints · typical job: Electric power-steering rack or column motor replacement (5.0 h labour + parts)$1,020–$2,500
- Engine60 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Power Train57 complaints · typical job: Transmission service or clutch-pack repair (7.0 h labour + parts)$1,290–$4,040
- Unknown Or Other55 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Exterior Lighting42 complaints · typical job: Headlamp assembly or lighting-module replacement (1.5 h labour + parts)$360–$1,380
Other Jeep Grand Cherokee years
Jeep Grand Cherokee years to avoid, and the best years to buy →
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Electrical System (114 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is BUY with a reliability score of 71/100, computed from 401 NHTSA complaints and 12 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee's most common problem?
114 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee sit in the Electrical System group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $540–$1,310 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost to run per year?
About $5,843 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $29,218 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 12 recall campaign(s) for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 08/06/2023. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other midsize suvs of about the same age.
What will a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 401 complaints, 12 recalls on record
- 401 NHTSA complaints on record (80.2/yr of exposure) — in line with a typical year of this model (91.5/yr)
- 12 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems