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ProblemsByVin File / 2021-JEEP-GRAND-CHEROKEE-L NHTSA data synced 13 hours ago
Jeep

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L problems

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L has 76 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

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The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L has 76 NHTSA owner complaints and 3 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 16 complaints (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

Jeep Grand Cherokee L owner complaints by model year
Model yearOwner complaintsRecalls
2021 Grand Cherokee L (this page) 76 3
2022 Grand Cherokee L 69 3
2023 Grand Cherokee L 83 5
2024 Grand Cherokee L 38 7
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L
Photo: Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L
0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Grand Cherokee L?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model . Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 3 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints

electrical
16 reports · avg $850
moderate
steering
15 reports · fails ~59,650 mi · avg $700
moderate
powertrain
11 reports · fails ~84,350 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
brakes
3 reports · avg $450
severe
engine
3 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2021 Grand Cherokee L's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2021 Grand Cherokee L?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2021 Grand Cherokee L · steering
While driving, the power steering disengaged and made the vehicle difficult to steer. The power steering warning light illuminated in the dash and the vehicle went into safety mode. After letting the vehicle remain shut down, the error code rectified itself and the power…
2021 Grand Cherokee L · steering
The dash lit up with all lights and it said SOS Power STEERING is out. I could not turn the wheel. The lights such as my miles was blinking, the seat belt was flashing along with dinging even though my seat belt was on. There has been recalls due to power steering issues but…
2021 Grand Cherokee L · steering
Started the vehicle and while pulling down the driveway the power steering suddenly went completely out. Warning lights began flashing and I was unable to steer vehicle. Stopped vehicle and turned off several times, however unable to overcome power steering loss, or reset…
2021 Grand Cherokee L · suspension
Started driving home and heard the vehicle making clinking noises. Then the service 4wd light came on. It slips in shifting almost like the vehicle shuts down for a sec and then comes back. When you are sitting the vehicle will randomly jerk forward even in park mode. Like the…
11/18/2025 · NHTSA ODI #11700225.0
View all 76 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 3

severe NHTSA 26V051000 January 29, 2026

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles

Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and repair the rear coil spring assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed February 12, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated in March 2026. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 20D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on January 30, 2026. This recall replaces NHTSA recall number 23V413. Vehicles already repaired under the previous recall will need to have the new remedy completed.
severe NHTSA 25V083000 February 13, 2025

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles

A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers replaced the DCSD, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been repaired. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 11C.
severe NHTSA 24V897000 November 27, 2024

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers secured the connector, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is B3B.

Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA

RQ Suspension › Rear · opened December 2025

NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. RQ25005 on NHTSA →

How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →

Common questions

Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 76 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L?

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L?

Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 16 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L a good used car to buy?

It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 76 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 16 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Jeep Grand Cherokee L has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 76 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 13 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Jeep/Grand Cherokee L. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Jeep. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you purchase through them.
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