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2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee engine problems

severe 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →

Complaints
17
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$3,100
1injury

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 22V284000 April 28, 2022

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3

An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin 18-050-26 Apr 2026

Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● P0300 - Multiple Cylinder Misfire - In Active or Stored status set during cold start catalyst heating. ● P0301 - Cylinder 1 Misfire - In Active or Stored status set during cold start catalyst heating. ● P0302 - Cylinder 2 Misfire - In Active or Stored status set during cold start catalyst heating. ● P0303 - Cylinder 3 Misfire - In Active or Stored status set during cold start catalyst heating. ● P0304 - Cylinder 4 Misfire - In Active or Stored status set during cold st

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 18-044-26 Mar 2026

Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● **P0111-00 - Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range Performance Bank 1. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0071-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0072-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" Low. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0073-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" High. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0011-00 - Bank 1 Camshaft 1 Position Timing Over Advanced Or. (In Active or Stored status) ● P2

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

The failure pattern owners describe

The 2021 Grand Cherokee engine cluster shows recurring failures across multiple systems. Owners report sudden, unplanned shutdowns while driving at highway and city speeds—some with zero warning lights—that dealers cannot replicate. Several owners describe rapid oil loss between service intervals without visible leaks, attributed to a defective engine seal; service advisors mention class action lawsuits but no formal Chrysler recall.

Engine mounts are failing widespread enough that FCA has backorders and has reversed its initial denial, though it still won't recall the part. Oil coolers are leaking and allowing oil and coolant to mix, risking catastrophic engine damage. Owners report clamoring engine noise, cylinder misfires triggering P0304 codes, and the auto stop/start system shutting down vehicles randomly at lights and in traffic with no way to permanently disable it.

Fuel pump and water pump failures occur at relatively low mileage. A recall exists for some fuel pumps (22V554000), but parts are unavailable and the recall doesn't apply to all VINs. Many failures happen under 35,000 miles on brand-new vehicles. Dealers frequently cannot diagnose issues despite multiple visits, and Chrysler manufacturer notification is inconsistent across complaints.

Same Jeep Grand Cherokee engine reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022 · 2023

Failure modes owners describe

Excessive oil consumption / defective engine seal

Engine oil level drops significantly between service intervals despite no visible leaks or warning lights. Owners report being informed by service providers that the V6 Pentastar engine has a known defective seal issue causing rapid oil loss. Class action lawsuits exist but no formal recall has been issued.

When: Early in ownership, during routine oil changes

Symptoms owners cite: Oil level critically low between service intervals; No warning lights displayed; No visible external leaks

Repairs/costs cited: Owners report being advised that oil cooler components may need replacement; one narrative mentions oil cooler failure replacement at under 32,000 miles

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Class action settlement mentioned; Chrysler reportedly aware of issue but no formal recall issued

Engine mount failures

Engine mounts fail, causing excessive movement and vibration. FCA initially denied the issue but later acknowledged it due to large backlogs. Certified mechanics indicate this is a safety hazard that can lead to engine shifting and component damage.

When: No specific mileage provided

Symptoms owners cite: Excessive engine movement; Vibration

Repairs/costs cited: Parts on major backorder with no delivery date; FCA has acknowledged the issue but denies it is safety-related

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall issued; FCA states not a safety hazard despite mechanic disagreement

Unplanned engine shutdown while driving

Engine shuts off without warning during highway or city driving at various speeds. No diagnostic codes appear even after dealer inspection. Restarts after brief pause but may shut off multiple times in short succession. Dealers unable to replicate under test conditions.

When: Varies: 200 miles, unknown mileage; recurring issue at 5 mph and 65 mph

Symptoms owners cite: Engine cuts out during driving; No warning lights before shutdown; Vehicle restarts after brief pause; May happen multiple times in succession

Repairs/costs cited: Dealers cannot diagnose; no repairs completed in multiple service visits

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer notification or response documented

Clamoring / abnormal engine noise

Abnormal clamoring sound emits from engine on startup without warning. Initial repair involved replacing two camshafts and other engine parts; second visit resulted in replacing 18 engine parts total, with no resolution.

When: Approximately 24,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal clamoring sound from engine; Sound occurs on startup without warning

Repairs/costs cited: Two camshafts replaced on first visit; 18 engine parts replaced on second visit; issue unresolved

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified; vehicle not repaired after multiple dealer attempts

Oil and coolant mixing

Antifreeze and engine oil intermix in the antifreeze reservoir, triggering check engine light and cylinder misfire codes. This indicates potential oil cooler or adapter failure allowing fluid crossover.

When: No specific mileage provided

Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Oil visible in coolant reservoir; Coolant in oil; Rough engine operation

Codes mentioned: P0304

Repairs/costs cited: Oil cooler filter adapter replacement and engine flush required

Auto stop/start system malfunction

Start-stop function engages and shuts off the vehicle randomly while at traffic lights or during acceleration. System has on-off switch but resets with each ignition cycle, preventing permanent disabling. One owner also reports jerking during acceleration related to this system.

When: Early ownership at low mileage (200 miles, at 500 miles)

Symptoms owners cite: Random unplanned shutdowns at stops; Jerking during acceleration; Engine hesitation and stalling during driving; System indicator active despite attempts to disable

Codes mentioned: P0304

Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports software update attempted but failure recurred; others undiagnosed after multiple shop visits

Fuel pump and water pump failures

Both fuel pump and water pump fail, preventing vehicle start and causing shutdown during operation. Water pump leaks coolant. Occurs at relatively low mileage in newer vehicle.

When: Approximately 70,000 miles; fuel pump relay delay also reported early in ownership

Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not start or turn over; Engine shuts off if it does start; Water pump leaking coolant; Delayed engine start response

Repairs/costs cited: Both fuel pump and water pump replacement needed; fuel pump recall does not apply to all VINs

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Fuel pump recall exists (Campaign 22V554000) but parts availability delayed; does not apply to all VINs

Oil cooler failure

Oil cooler leaks oil underneath vehicle. Slow leak with no warning lights or performance change initially. Creates oil coating under entire vehicle and risks coolant-oil mixing that could destroy engine.

When: Under 32,000 miles

Symptoms owners cite: Oil dripping from underneath vehicle; Burning smell after driving; Slow leak with no immediate warning

Repairs/costs cited: Oil cooler replacement required; one owner notes replacement was completed

Multiple cylinder misfires

Transmission slipping sensation at low speeds leads to diagnosis of multiple cylinder misfires. In one case, engine replacement was recommended at very low mileage. Related to check engine light and P0304 code.

When: Very early ownership (500 miles)

Symptoms owners cite: Transmission slip sensation at 30-45 mph; Multiple cylinder misfires diagnosed; Check engine light with P0304 code

Codes mentioned: P0304

Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement recommended at 500 miles; repair pending

Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; case filed

Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.

What owners are reporting 0 most recent

Had engine trouble with your 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the engine problem on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

It's a meaningful issue. 17 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Based on the 17 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 22,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to engine?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Jeep/Grand Cherokee. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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