2021 Jeep Cherokee
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 89 of 157 complaints (57%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 292 in 2020 to 157 in 2021.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,950 | 2,400–2,950 | 2,400–2,950 | 2,400–2,950 | 2,600–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–26 | 21–26 | 21–26 | 21–26 | 22–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–31 | 20–21 / 26–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 345–432 | 345–432 | 345–432 | 345–432 | 370–400 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,631 | 292 | 157 | 49 | 3 | |
| Recalls issued | 11 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 40 | 9 | 10 | 3 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 19 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 37 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 89 of 157 NHTSA complaints (57%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee get?
EPA rates it 21–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Jeep Cherokee?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 345 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 31 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 352 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 29 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 387 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 369 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 400 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 387 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 416 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 432 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 89 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 22 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 9 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
POWER TRAIN · Campaign 26V290000 · May 7, 2026
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Consequence: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW:CURTAIN · Campaign 24V516000 · Jul 8, 2024
Defect: 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."
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will secure the connector, free of charge. All vehicles have been remedied. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 71B.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLER/RADIATOR:HOSES AND FITTINGS · Campaign 21V310000 · May 4, 2021
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A transmission fluid leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the hose, free of charge. Owners notification letters were mailed May 18, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is Y18.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM · Campaign 20V657000 · Oct 27, 2020
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude and Jeep Cherokee Limited vehicles. One or both of the front lower control arms may fracture while driving.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front lower control arms and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2020. Owners may contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W81. Note: Owners are advised to not drive their vehicles until they have been inspected and repaired if needed.