Is the 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE reliable?

The 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE has 660 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (113 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (102 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (69 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE?

Yes, there are 12 recall(s): EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES, AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE, CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE TETHER ANCHOR, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE), EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS, STEERING:COLUMN, SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION, SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT, BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA. Contact any Jeep dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE?

The 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE is approximately $1,839/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Q: Is the 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE often stolen?

The Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE was the #23 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025 with approximately 4,300 thefts (NICB Hot Wheels data). Theft risk tier: above-avg.

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE has 660 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 656. The most common issue is electrical problems (17% of all complaints), specifically: i was driving my new grand cherokee with 121 miles on the odometer. as i was moving forward with the vehicle in drive and was attempting to turn around to- re-enter a highway the engine stopped. i immediately put the vehicle in park and attempted to restart the vehicle numerous times with no luck. . There are 12 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 10 fire reports filed.

10 fire reports 19 crash reports 12 injuries

660

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

113 complaints

17%

• I WAS DRIVING MY NEW GRAND CHEROKEE WITH 121 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS I WAS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN AROUND TO- RE-ENTER A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO LUCK.
• The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that whenever the heat or a/c was turned on, the cabin filter would release an unknown black substance into the air, causing his eyes to burn. The objects in the glove box were covered in an unknown black substance. The contact was conc
• Driving Jeep and engine stop, only had steering no brakes fortunately our speed was less than 10 miles per hr and we were in a parking lot. There is only about 770 miles on vehicle and we’ve owned the Jeep 3 weeks. Our concern is what would of happen if we were in heavy traffic, it was rush hour at

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 4 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“I WAS DRIVING MY NEW GRAND CHEROKEE WITH 121 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS I WAS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN AROUND TO- RE-ENTER A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO LUCK. ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Based on 86 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 18K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 17 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 2K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 23K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SUSPENSION

In line with typicalmedian 36K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (12)

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS14/10/2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles not equipped with automatic high beams. When the master lighting switch is set to the auto position, the high beam headlights will not activate unless the master lighting switch is first changed to the 'on" position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Risk: Difficulty activating the headlight high beams may result in reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will reprogram the vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y66.

Above-average theft risk

#23 most stolen in 2025

The Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE was the #23 most-stolen vehicle in the United States in 2025, with approximately 4,300 thefts reported to law enforcement.

Notes: Popular SUV; parts and tuning demand

Source: NICB Hot Wheels 2025 report + HLDI theft loss studies. Model-year ranking; not all years of this model have identical risk.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2021 Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,839

Full coverage / month

$153

Liability only / year

$600

vs US avg

+10%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.06x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1839

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Jeep GRAND CHEROKEE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

20K mi

4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2021 GRAND CHEROKEE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 660 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS DRIVING MY NEW GRAND CHEROKEE WITH 121 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AS I WAS MOVING FORWARD WITH THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND WAS ATTEMPTING TO TURN AROUND TO- RE-ENTER A HIGHWAY THE ENGINE STOPPED. I IMMEDIATELY PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO LUCK.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: WHEN I SHIFT THE TRANSFER CASE IN TO NEUTRAL, FOR TOWING BEHIND MY RV, AND THEN PUT THE TRANSFER CASE BACK IN TO GEAR SO I CAN DRIVE THE JEEP THE POWER STEERING IS INOPERABLE FOR 20-30 MINUTES. IF I HAD AN EMERGENCY THE JEEP WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO BE DRIVEN FOR THAT TIME PERIOD. THE LOCAL JEEP DEALE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: Lane keeping assistance fails and disengages mid trips. The vehicle is then allowed to drift to other lanes without correct or alert.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MY GRAND CHEROKEE HIGH ALTITUDE 2021 START JERKING DURING ACCELERATION AT 500 MILES APROX. THEN THE PROBLEM WAS MORE CONTINUES AND IN PARKING OR NEUTRAL THE CAR START JERKING, VIBRATION ENGINE AND EXHAUST SMELL WEAR. CHECK ENGINE FLASING. CODE P0304 WAS REGISTERED.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 12 recalls have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)