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2021 Jeep Cherokee

Gas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
9 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
D
Safety Signal
61 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA156
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA26 mpg
202620232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 9 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Cherokee FWD, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of D. Owners have filed 156 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Cherokee FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo233126$2,400
Cherokee FWDGasFWD2.4L 4-cyl223125$2,500
Cherokee 4WDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212924$2,600
Cherokee 4WDGasAWD2.4L 4-cyl212924$2,600
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive IIGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202723$2,700
Cherokee FWDGasFWD3.2L 6-cyl202923$2,700
Cherokee 4WDGasAWD3.2L 6-cyl192722$2,850
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive IIGasAWD3.2L 6-cyl182621$2,950
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WDGasAWD3.2L 6-cyl182421$2,950

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43062, 43063, 43065, 43066, 43068, 43064, 43067, 43069, 43070.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Power Train

40D
61,711 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.RiskA failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.FixThe 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.
NHTSA campaign 26V290000reported May 7, 2026Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
▲high

Air Bags

71B
13 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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."RiskAn air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 24V516000reported Jul 8, 2024Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
!critical

Power Train

Y18
18,800 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 21V310000reported May 4, 2021Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
▲high

Suspension

W81
698 vehicles
ProblemChrysler (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.RiskA front lower control arm fracture while driving may result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash without prior warning.FixChrysler 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V657000reported Oct 27, 2020Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
156complaints filed

10 involved a crash · 4 a fire · 8 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 13 · 2022: 16 · 2023: 21 · 2024: 15 · 2025: 45 · 2026: 46

Most-cited components

Power Train89
Engine25
Unspecified23
Electrical System22
Service Brakes13
Forward Collision Avoidance10

What owners describe

“The emergency brake activated when I step on the gas at a light. It would disengage until I turned the car off and back on. It was raining during the time. When I called the dealership(Darcars dodge and Jeep, Temple Hills, Ms) they claimed they’d never heard of these incidents happening.”Oct 3, 2022 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“The vehicles automatic off switch does not turn back on when you release the break. It gives an error message saying the option is unavailable. I have to turn. The vehicle off and turn it back on. The vehicle has less than 37000 miles on it and was bought brand new.”Aug 8, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“After approximately 30 minutes of operation, the vehicle begins to develop an intermittent steering play. The best way to describe it is like when a torque wrench reaches the torque setting and breaks. A slight steering correction suddenly breaks a small amount. It makes maintaining lane position much more difficult. T…”Jul 27, 2022 · Steering · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%
SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Cherokee model years

C

2026 Jeep Cherokee

4 recalls · 3 complaints

A

2023 Jeep Cherokee

1 recalls · 3 complaints

C

2022 Jeep Cherokee

3 recalls · 48 complaints

B

2020 Jeep Cherokee

3 recalls · 289 complaints

F

2019 Jeep Cherokee

11 recalls · 1,628 complaints

F

2018 Jeep Cherokee

7 recalls · 683 complaints

F

2017 Jeep Cherokee

6 recalls · 1,333 complaints

F

2016 Jeep Cherokee

9 recalls · 1,406 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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