Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2021 Jeep CherokeeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 177 owner complaints for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Most complaints involve power train (104) and engine (28). The EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–26mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest May 2026
Owner complaints
177
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,450est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train

Remedy pending

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.

Power trainReported May 7, 2026NHTSA 26V290000

Air bags: side

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. 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."

Air bagsReported Jul 8, 2024NHTSA 24V516000

Power train: cooler

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid to leak.

Power trainReported May 4, 2021NHTSA 21V310000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

177 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2021 – Oct 2026
  1. Power train104
  2. Engine28
  3. Electrical system23
  4. Service brakes13
  5. Forward collision avoidance11
  6. Air bags9
  7. Fuel/propulsion system5
  8. Suspension5
  9. Lane departure3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Cherokee model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996450
19971,380
19992,004
20001,829
20011,111
20142,651
20151,794
20161,413
20171,338
2018688
20191,673
2020334
2021177
202252
20233
20260
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
4
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

104 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle lost electrical power. The message “Service 4WD” was displayed after the failure. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer, and the failure was associated with the recall. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure by telephone. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 28, 2026Power trainODI 11774229

Engine

28 reports2 fires
“SVC 4WD light came on the dashboard. Took to the dealership, they said it was a PTU issue and it needed to be replaced. $3800 and 45 days to fix. NHTSA notes recalls for my year make and model for my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux but does not show a recall for my specific VIN#. Jeep says nothing they can do since the NHTSA does not show a recall for my specific VIN#. Vehicle was taken to Jeep Chrysler AutoNation in Golden Colorado. Apparently having a faulty PTU can be a MAJOR safety issue. Please advise.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 15, 2026Power train, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11771412

Electrical system

23 reports1 crash1 fire
“My 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk has been effectively unusable since April 19, 2026 due to the PTU issue associated with FCA Recall 40D/NHTSA Recall 26V-290. I previously filed a complaint regarding this vehicle. It has now been 5 months with no repair remedy available. Due to being told by the certified dealer, Mopar, Jeep/Stellantis (who closed my claim because they claim the vehicle is safe to drive despite of having an outstanding safety recall) I thought I would attempt to drive the vehicle again. On September 15, 2026, the vehicle lost all motive power while I was traveling approximately 65 mph on the highway on my daily commute. I had to coast the vehicle to the shoulder. This is the exact type of safety hazard described in the recall. FCA/Stellantis has not provided a repair solution, rental vehicle, reimbursement, or other meaningful transportation assistance. I continue to incur the expense of owning and paying for a vehicle that I cannot SAFELY operate. I am requesting that NHTSA review the length of time this recall has remained without an available remedy and the lack of assistance being provided to owners whose vehicles have already experienced the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2026Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11766914
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.4L 4-cyl · 3.2L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 9-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Cherokee FWD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
233126$2,450345
Cherokee FWD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223125$2,550352
Cherokee 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700369
Cherokee 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
212924$2,700370
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202723$2,800387
Cherokee FWD
Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202923$2,800387
Cherokee 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
192722$2,900400
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II
Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$3,050416
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
182421$3,050432
  • Cherokee FWD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    23 city · 31 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Cherokee FWD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 31 hwy · $2,550/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Cherokee 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cherokee 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 27 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Cherokee FWD
    Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,800/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Cherokee 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    19 city · 27 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II
    Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
16.9%
Overall
4 / 5
Jeep Cherokee SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.4%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 15499Vehicle 15468
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2021 Cherokee questions

How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2021 Jeep Cherokee problems?

Owners filed 177 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (104), engine (28), electrical system (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Jeep Cherokee at 21–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

How safe is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Jeep Cherokee 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026