2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee · symptom sheet

Brakes grind, pulse or wear early

31owner reports
32,000median miles
0involved a crash

Newest report Sep 25, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026

31 of the 405 complaints on this car describe brake wear.

No recall on this systemas of Oct 2, 2026

No crash reportedin 31 reports

3 people hurtin these reports

Tick what matches of 31 reports

grinding or squealing

pulsing or shaking when braking

pedal goes soft or to the floor

pads or rotors replaced early

a brake warning light

the car did not stop in time

Brake wear on other Grand Cherokee years

2014114 reports 201539 reports 201625 reports 201729 reports 201862 reports 2019115 reports 202131 reports 202326 reports

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: 2020, 2022, 2024, 2025, 2026.

What this problem usually is

Brake reports cover a wide spread of symptoms. Grinding or squealing is common, and so is a pulsing pedal or a shake through the car when stopping. Others describe pads and rotors worn out long before they expected, a brake warning light, or a pedal that goes soft or sinks toward the floor. The most serious ones say the car didn't stop in time.

Read the full explainer · Which cars report it most

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the pads and rotors (4 reports) and the ABS module (3 reports).

Recalls and investigations

No recall on the brakes covers the 2021 model year as of Oct 2, 2026.

NHTSA investigations into the brakes on the Grand Cherokee

EA99-014opened Jun 28, 1999

Brakes · model years 1992 to 1995

Brake roter disc/hud separation. Closed mar 28, 2000, led to recall 00V-136.

EA97-001opened Jan 13, 1997

Brakes · model years 1990 to 1993

Brake disc/hub separation. Closed jan 9, 1998, led to recall 98V-005.

PE96-053opened Sep 5, 1996

Brakes · model years 1990 to 1993

Brake disc/hub separation. Closed jan 13, 1997.

None of these investigations covers the 2021 model year.

When it happens

Too few of these reports state a mileage to give a range.

Is this a known problem?

The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 4 service bulletins or notices for the 2021 Jeep Grand 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.

Service bulletin9004507Mar 23, 2022
MODULE, Anti-Lock Brake System & BOOSTER, Power Brake Prior to replacing this for a C0597-00 fault code, ensure that the software is at the latest level.
Service bulletinS2108000188Aug 6, 2021
ABS Antilock Brake System, ESC Electronic Stability Control, And EPB Electric Parking Brake Warning Lamps Or Service System Cluster Messages Displayed
Service bulletinS2105000003May 21, 2021
C1009 Brake Fluid Low DTC Red Brake Light On
Service bulletinS2109000001Jan 21, 2021
Customer may complain of a MIL lamp on. Upon further investigation there could be a fault code in the PCM for P1524 ? Oil Pressure Out of Range ? Camshaft Advance/Retard Disabled.

What owners wrote

“The rear rotors and pads became so pitted and damaged so quickly that the brakes shake like a mad man and it seems to be extremely common in the newer jeeps. A remedy or recall for inferior materials used in the pads or rotors may be needed. I know itâs about 30% braking in the rear so in theory those pads/rotors should certainly last far longer.”
Filed Mar 18, 2023

“Driving down a steep icy hill all warning lights illuminated and power steering completely failed. This is the second time for this specific failure. The vehicle is extremely hard to control without power steering and could have easily caused an acident. The vehicle was repaired at a local dealership both times.”
Filed Jan 9, 2023

“Driving on a highway in Kansas at 9pm the car slammed on brakes and sent a pedestrian warning. There is NOTHING out in the middle of Kansas, especially a pedestrian. This occurred 2 more times. The car would randomly brake.”
Filed Apr 15, 2022

“Brakes locked up. Had to use all my body weight on brakes not to have a collision. 2nd major brake vehicle with this car.”
Filed Apr 15, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 31 reports involved a crash and 3 people were hurt. 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 Taking it to a shop? How to describe this problem so it gets found