2021 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 27owner reports
- 22,980median miles
- 1involved a crash
Newest report Sep 16, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
125 of the 166 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 27 of those describe stalling. Only service 4WD light is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 27 reports
Stalling on other Cherokee years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2022.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (4 reports).
Recalls and investigations
2 recalls on the transmission and drivetrain cover the 2021 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.
All 4 recalls on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Cherokee
Electronic parking brake water ingress. Closed oct 29, 2023.
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
Engine compartment fire. Closed dec 9, 2015, led to recall 15V-676.
Crash related fuel tank fires. Closed nov 14, 2014, led to recall 13V-252.
Sudden acceleration. Closed sep 10, 2002.
Faulty gas gauge indicators. Closed nov 13, 1997, led to recall 97V-194.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed nov 25, 1994.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed oct 29, 1993.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.
Fires caused by cltch lk. Closed jan 28, 1988.
Electronic ignition failure and gas fume. Closed nov 3, 1976.
None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 2,700 and 64,000 miles, from the 11 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee that deal with this problem. 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.
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.
In Extremely Cold Temperatures The Customer May Complain Of An Intermittent No Crank, Cranks And Stalls, Stops Cranking Fails To Start
What owners wrote
“While driving i lost power and heard whining and grinding. Loss of power. Had to get it to towed to the dealership where it remains as their no remedy.”
Filed Sep 1, 2026
“The power transfer unit failed and lost power lots of grinding noises and could even roll when in park. What worries me more as I read about this is how many seems to be failing”
Filed Aug 18, 2025
“The PTU (power transfer unit) failed in the middle of the interstate which caused it to stall and not move.”
Filed Jun 30, 2025
“Vehicle hesitates to go into gear and upon takeoff resulting in slamming into first gear. This causes significant stress on the transmission and PTU causing premature failure. Additionally, loss of power to the wheels upon take off could result in a vehicle collision when turning into on coming traffic.”
Filed Feb 5, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 1 of 27 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works