2021 Jeep Cherokee problems, complaints & recalls

2021 Jeep Cherokee recalls (4)

• Recall 26V290000May 7, 202661,711 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN

  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.

• Recall 24V516000Jul 8, 202413 vehicles
  AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN

  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.

• Recall 21V310000May 4, 202118,800 vehicles
  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.

  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.

• Recall 20V657000Oct 27, 2020698 vehicles
  SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

  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.

Recent 2021 Jeep Cherokee complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 6, 2026AZAirbags

   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. I took the vehicle in for service at the dealership, and two technicians stated the air bag was partially deployed. The panel was continuing to sag and the air bag was more visible. My vehicle was not involved in an accident - the dealership technicians also verified this by inspecting my…

   NHTSA complaint #11769343 · source
2. Filed Sep 28, 2026NYTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11767345 · source
3. Filed Sep 27, 2026MATransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11767260 · source
4. Filed Sep 27, 2026MDOther / Unknown

   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 · source
5. Filed Sep 25, 2026KSElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11766914 · source
6. Filed Sep 17, 2026WAVisibility & Wipers

   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,…

   NHTSA complaint #11765006 · source
7. Filed Sep 16, 2026ILEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   Vehicle is a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux equipped with a 1-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) / Active Drive I system. The vehicle experienced an abrupt failure of the AWD system, triggering an immediate "Service 4WD" warning light on the dashboard. Dealership diagnostics confirmed trouble code C14A7-97 (Power Transfer Unit Rear Axle Motor Circuit - Component Internal Failure), requiring a complete PTU replacement estimated at $2,200. This vehicle is currently excluded from…

   NHTSA complaint #11764839 · source
8. Filed Sep 16, 202673,000 miNYTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The "4WD" warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was started but failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was able to shift into reverse and was pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed. The dealer was contacted and associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet…

   NHTSA complaint #11764799 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology