Problems · by component

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee steering problems

102 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee cite steering, 25% of all 410 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 1 recall on this component.

Complaints
102
25% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Steering is erratic while driving. Car is shifting left and right by itself while driving down the road feeling like the tires want to go different directions from one another. Steering wheel makes noticeable movement on its own left and right while going down a straight smooth road.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2026SteeringODI 11720346
“The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while making a left-hand turn, the wheels on the vehicle failed to follow the trajectory of the movement and failed to function as intended, and moved toward the curb. The vehicle came to a stop when it hit the curb. It was unknown if any warning lights were illuminated. The driver-side and passenger-side air bags did not deploy. The contact exited the vehicle, and upon inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the front right and rear passenger-side tires were facing inwards. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The contact was not injured. No police report was filed. The insurance company was notified and deemed the vehicle a total loss. The failure mileage was approximately 127,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 30, 2026SteeringCrash reportedODI 11714510
“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ESC and “Service 4WD” warning lights illuminated, causing the vehicle to shake abnormally. Additionally, the transmission unexpectedly shifted to 4WD Low while driving. The steering wheel vibrated while making a turn, and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle also intermittently failed to start immediately and made a clicking sound. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the ABS had failed, and that the drive train control module and transfer case control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2025Steering, Service brakes, hydraulic, Power trainODI 11680218
“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while accelerating after having stopped at a traffic signal at approximately 15 MPH she felt the steering wheel had locked, pulled the vehicle to the right, and crashed into a guard rail. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle's front end had been damaged. The contact stated that both the driver's and passenger side front tires had also been damaged by the crash into the guard rail. The contact stated that police were on the scene and wrote a report. The contact stated she had been treated by EMS, but was not transported to a hospital. The contact stated she had pain in her neck and both shoulders. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic in her home state. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the right and left control arms needed to be replaced and that the pinch bolt at the UCA ball joint and the knuckle had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact had been contacted by her local dealer about NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V132000…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 21, 2024Steering, SuspensionCrash reportedODI 11626684
“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V132000 (Suspension, Steering). The contact stated that approximately one week after the recall was completed, while driving approximately 40 MPH and following a curve in the roadway, the contact heard an abnormal clicking sound coming from the suspension on the front driver's side wheel well. The contact stated that prior to the recall repair being completed, the vehicle had never made abnormal sounds from the front suspension. The contact related the failure to the recall repair. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer and was informed that a diagnostic test was needed. The contact declined, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2024Steering, SuspensionODI 11625181
“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the power steering failure warning light had illuminated. While attempting to steer the vehicle, the steering wheel felt loose while driving at various speeds and the vehicle was difficult to steer. The failure had become more persistent over time. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the steering gear had failed and needed to be replaced. The dealer informed the contact that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V352000 (Steering); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle had been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 58,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2024SteeringODI 11625226

Showing 6 of 102 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

1 recall on this component

Steering: column

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An incorrectly assembled steering column intermediate shaft may disconnect from the u-joint, and result in a loss of steering control.

SteeringReported May 18, 2023NHTSA 23V352000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026

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