Is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee a bad year?
180 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 106, 3.7× a quiet Cherokee year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 45k–99k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 106 filed since 2016.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2021 Cherokee owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 73,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 106 (59%) | 45k–99k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 29 (16%) | 3k–79k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Electrical system | 24 (13%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 14 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Collision avoidance | 11 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Air bags | 9 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 73,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 180 complaints: 10 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 20 say the car was towed.
81 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee: 4
The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail. A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
An improperly secured connector for the right-side curtain air bag may prevent the air bag from deploying as intended. An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak. A transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.
One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving. 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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Jeep: 139
Repair instructions Jeep sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp…
Before replacing any parts please refer to SOL S2518000008 if it applies to the vehicle you are working on based on a VIN search in Service Library
Engine Complete With scope to reduce cost per repair, Stellantis Engineering ask to use long block instead of engine complete replacement for GME T4 DOHC
Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) Updates Customers may experience the following: A moan noise or shudder feeling from the rear axle during low speed cornering…
Neighbouring years
2020 Cherokee: 336 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2022 Cherokee: 52 complaints, keep it.
Every Jeep Cherokee year
2000 · 2001 · 2006 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2026 · All Cherokee years side by side
Other Jeep models: Jeep Commander · Jeep Compass · Jeep Gladiator · Jeep Grand Cherokee · Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe · Jeep Grand Cherokee L · Jeep Grand Wagoneer · Jeep Laredo · Jeep Liberty · Jeep Patriot · Jeep Renegade · Jeep Wagoneer · Jeep Wrangler · Jeep Wrangler 4xe · Jeep Wrangler Sahara. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee a bad year?
180 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 106, 3.7× a quiet Cherokee year. At 73,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 45k–99k miles, where you are now. Few of them say the car was towed: 9 of 106 filed since 2016.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (106), engine (29), electrical system (24), brakes (14), collision avoidance (11). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 45k–99k miles.
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 26V-290), Air bags (NHTSA 24V-516), Transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA 21V-310), Suspension (NHTSA 20V-657). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.