KL
2021 Jeep Cherokee
The most reported problem on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee is service 4WD light, with 73 complaints, usually around 62,000 miles.
- 166owner complaints
- 4recalls
- 10involved a crash
- 45,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 28, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Cherokee doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2021 model year.
Is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
The 2021 Jeep Cherokee has 166 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, below the median of 216 for 2021 SUVs on this site. Of the 9 Cherokee model years since 2014, it has the 8th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2020 and 2022
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2020 draws 44, the 2021 28 and the 2022 10.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: service 4WD light, named in 73 of the 166 complaints (44%). A quarter of the 20 owners who gave a mileage for service 4WD light saw it by about 45,000 miles, and half by about 62,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 14 of the 166 complaints (8%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little above the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 10 reports mention a crash, 4 mention a fire and 8 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 7 of 10, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- No recall on file is on the same system as stalling. For those, the complaints are all there is.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2025, with 45 complaints, 2.1 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 56 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: service 4wd light or power transfer unit (ptu) failure, 73 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
166 complaints is about the median for a 2021 model on this site and 1.3 times fewer than the median 2021 SUV. Among the 9 Cherokee model years here it ranks 8th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee
Jeep filed 256 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. 45 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 2 bulletins · 73 complaints
Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.
Power Transfer Unit If considering PTU Assembly replacement related to DTCs C14A7-97 or C1494-92, please be aware of updated diagnostic procedures in the service library which may indicate the smart actuator replacement (PN 68369691AD) is the proper repair.
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 3 bulletins · 27 complaints
In Cold Temperatures The Customer May Complain Of An Intermittent No Crank, Cranks And Stalls, Stops Cranking Fails To Start
RELAY, Micro **This applies to the 2020 KL and 2021 KL Only!!** Owner reports in colder temperatures the vehicle may exhibit a No Start or and/or a Start and Stall fail to Start condition. Vehicle will start normally when PDC or vehicle is warmed up.
1 more on this problem
In Extremely Cold Temperatures The Customer May Complain Of An Intermittent No Crank, Cranks And Stalls, Stops Cranking Fails To Start
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 2 bulletins · 21 complaints
Flash: Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) Updates Customers may experience the following: ● A moan noise or shudder feeling from the rear axle during low speed cornering, most notable in a parking lot or low speed maneuvering.
Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 14 complaints
ESC Light Illuminated. DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear 2 bulletins · 12 complaints
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software.
Flash: Transmission Control Module (TCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the TCM with the latest available software.
Check engine light or misfire 6 bulletins · 7 complaints
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● **P0111-00 - Intake Air ...
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
4 more on this problem
Upon scan tool inspection, DTCs for P0133-O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response 1/1 and P0153-O2 Sensor Circuit Slow Response 2/1 may be present in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) in a PENDING STATE ONLY (not Active or Stored).
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software. Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination.
No Start, After Flash And Or PCM Replace, DTC P0513 Invalid Skim Key Setting
Check engine lamp on. Fault code P0244- TURBOCHARGER/SUPERCHARGER WASTEGATE SOLENOID "A" RANGE/PERFORMANCE is set in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM a.k.a. ECM) after the turbocharger assembly has been replaced.
Battery dies or the car will not start 9 bulletins · 6 complaints
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On
Battery Drain Suspected or "Identified" From USB or Media Hub
7 more on this problem
Intermittently The Vehicle exhibits No Crank No Start. Vehicle Goes Into Limp Home Mode. Multiple DTC?s And Warning Lights
Radio Remained On After Ignition Is Switched Off, Dead Battery From Excessive Radio Current Draw
No Start, After Flash And Or PCM Replace, DTC P0513 Invalid Skim Key Setting
Battery Drain Concern, Dual USB Port Normal Operational Draw, Extended Illumination Or Extended Operation After Key Off
No Start, Cannot Complete Module Replace, Proxi Or Module Proxi Configuration
Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves updating the radio software level to 2036.06. Customers may experience the following: Ghost Touch, features, modes and App?s changing without drivers input. Product plan UUID is not correct in Carplay®.
Radio Enhancements This bulletin involves updating the radio software level to 2036.06. Customers may experience the following:Product plan UUID is not correct in Carplay®. Carplay audio does not always resume. Battery save vs.
Infotainment, screen or backup camera fails 20 bulletins · 5 complaints
Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
If replacing $8474412A$ with $8474413A$ version, verify vehicle is proxied and configured properly. The 4412 part does not have RSD (SXM) capability. The 4413 part has RSD (SXM) capability and will not have an antenna connected.
18 more on this problem
Radio Over The Air Update from QR39.82F to QR40.12 Software Version Customer may experience one or more of the following: ? Mobile Wi-Fi inoperative upon start up. ? Hotspot gives "No Internet" connection message on phone when trying to connect to a device.
Radio Over The Air Update from QR39.5 to QR40.11 Software Version Customer may experience one or more of the following: ? Mobile Wi-Fi inoperative upon start up. ? Hotspot gives "No Internet" connection message on phone when trying to connect to a device.
Radio Over The Air Updating to QR40.12 Software Version Customers may experience one or more of the following: ? Mobile Wi-Fi inoperative upon start up. ? Hotspot gives "No Internet" connection message on phone, when trying to connect to a device.
Radio Over The Air Update to Q339.3 to QR39.62 Software Version Customers may experience one or more of the following: ? Mobile Wi-Fi inoperative upon start up. ? Hotspot gives "No Internet" connection message on phone when trying to connect to a device.
Radio Over The Air Updating From QR39.6 to QR40.12 Software Version Customers may experience one or more of the following symptoms: ? Mobile Wi-Fi inoperative upon start up.
Apple CarPlay Does Not Work Or Not Connecting
Radio Over The Air Updating to QR40.12 Software Version ? Mobile Wi-Fi inoperative upon start up. ? Hotspot gives "No Internet" connection message on phone, when trying to connect to a device.
Radio Black Screen, Freezing, Reset, Cutting Out Or Inoperative Intermittently
Radio Over The Air Updating to QR40.12 Software Version Mobile Wi-Fi inoperative upon start up. ? Hotspot gives 9No Internet9 connection message on phone, when trying to connect to a device.
Radio Over The Air Updating to 40.12 Software Version Mobile Wi-Fi inoperative upon start up. Hotspot gives 9No Internet9 connection message on phone when trying to connect to a device.
Plus 8 older ones not listed here.
Complaints filed by year
56 complaints came in 2026. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2021 Jeep Cherokee
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
Risk and remedy
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) 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 and remedy
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.
All 4 recalls on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
Service 4WD light, with 73 of the 166 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 62,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2021 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Of the 54 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 23,000 miles and half by about 45,000.
Is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee better or worse than the 2020 and 2022?
Counted per year on the road, the 2021 has fewer complaints than the 2020 and more complaints than the 2022: 28 a year against 44 and 10.
How many 2021 Jeep Cherokee complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
14 of them (8%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.