NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 183 owner complaints for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee.
Recalled components: powertrain, air bags, and suspension. Most-described problem: loss of power or limp mode (30 complaints, 16%). Most-reported area: powertrain (109 complaints, 60%; median mileage when it happened: 74,000).
One of the best Cherokee years by owner complaints
The 2021 drew 50 owner complaints in its first three years, against 306 for a typical Cherokee year since 2016. No open NHTSA investigation names it, and it has no recall telling owners not to drive or to park outside.
Years to avoid: 2014 and 2015; best year: 2021. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee.
What owners report
Owners have filed 183 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Cherokee. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Most named: transfer case (4-wheel drive) (4) · Median 74,000 miles at failure, from 22 reports with mileage
Engine29 · 16%
Electrical system24 · 13%
Brakes13 · 7%
Forward collision avoidance11 · 6%
Most named: automatic emergency braking (5); warnings (5)
Air bags9 · 5%
Fuel and propulsion system5 · 3%
Unknown or other27 · 15%
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 2014 Cherokee drew the most (999) and the 2021 drew 50.
Owner complaints
2021: 183 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Jeep Cherokee
Model year
Complaints
2014
2,652
2015
1,794
2016
1,415
2017
1,342
2018
692
2019
1,683
2020
337
2021
183
2022
52
2023
3
2026
9
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
2014
13
2015
11
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.
In the 183 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, the problems described most are loss of power or limp mode (30), stalling or shutting off (14), and the check engine light coming on (13). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
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.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee.
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 Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
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.