NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 162 owner complaints for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee.
4Safety recalls
162Owner complaints
10Complaints citing a crash
4Complaints citing a fire
Data: NHTSA recall and complaint filesUpdated Sep 27, 2026
Recalled components: powertrain, air bags, and suspension. Most-reported area: powertrain (93 complaints, 57%; median mileage when it happened: 63,000). Excludes the larger Grand Cherokee.
4 safety recalls for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee
Newest first. Summaries are NHTSA's own wording. Open a recall for the fix and the full notice.
Risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.
NHTSA listing: CHEROKEE. Jeep campaign 40D.
Air bags
Jul 8, 2024
side/window · curtain
Fails federal standard 214 (side impact protection)
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 2021-2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.
NHTSA listing: CHEROKEE. Jeep campaign 71B.
Powertrain
May 4, 2021
automatic transmission · cooler/radiator · hoses and fittings
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude and Jeep Cherokee Limited vehicles.
NHTSA listing: CHEROKEE. Jeep campaign W81.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
The areas named in the 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Cherokee. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Powertrain93 · 57%
Most named: transfer case (4-wheel drive) (4) · Median 63,000 miles at failure (16 reports)
Engine26 · 16%
Electrical system22 · 14%
Brakes13 · 8%
Forward collision avoidance10 · 6%
Most named: automatic emergency braking (5); warnings (4)
Air bags8 · 5%
Fuel and propulsion system5 · 3%
Unknown or other23 · 14%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Jeep Cherokee recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2021 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2019 Cherokee drew the most (614) and the 2021 drew 50.
Owner complaints
2021: 162 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Jeep Cherokee
Model year
Complaints
2016
1,406
2017
1,334
2018
684
2019
1,641
2020
303
2021
162
2022
51
2023
3
2026
5
Safety recalls
2021: 4 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Jeep Cherokee
Model year
Recalls
2016
9
2017
6
2018
7
2019
11
2020
3
2021
4
2022
3
2023
1
2026
4
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
Tested version
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD
Rollover risk 16.9%
Jeep Cherokee SUV FWD
Rollover risk 17.4%
Questions
What are the most common 2021 Cherokee problems?
The areas owners name most often in NHTSA complaints: powertrain (93), engine (26), electrical system (22). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can name several areas.
Is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2021 Jeep Cherokee earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
How do I check if my Cherokee has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Jeep dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Sep 27, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Sep 26, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: CHEROKEE.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.