2021 JEEP Grand Cherokee L

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L shows significant reliability concerns, particularly regarding airbag deployment and infotainment system malfunctions. Given the average failure mileage aligns closely with peak failure instances, prospective buyers should remain vigilant.

Key Factor:Airbag and electrical issues

📋Why This Matters

Safety is paramount for any vehicle owner, and the defects surrounding airbag deployment in the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L could severely compromise passenger protection in an accident. Additionally, the potential malfunction of the rearview camera hinders visibility and complicates safe driving practices, creating a risk that extends beyond just inconvenience. Buyers should prioritize vehicles with fewer recalls or those that have undergone remedial actions for safety-related issues.

Focus Area:Safety Profile
📊

Expert Analysis

This model year of the Grand Cherokee L has a concerning safety profile influenced by both recalls and Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) addressing critical components. Compared to what is typically expected for this segment, these issues raise red flags regarding the overall reliability and manufacturer response to known defects.

Safety & Reliability Score

82/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-16
Complaint Impact-2.45
Investigation Impact-0

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2021 JEEP Grand Cherokee L

Model Year2021
MakeJEEP
ModelGrand Cherokee L
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Jan21
NEWProduction
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan21
RECALLRecall Issued
Dec24
ISSUEFirst Report

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

23 complaints (47% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 49 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
3(6%)
🟡Medium
19(39%)
🟢Low
27(55%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

The peak failure range of 40k-60k miles suggests that owners may begin to experience significant issues as their vehicles approach this mileage threshold. Potential buyers should consider this when evaluating a used model, as addressing problems early can prevent costly repairs down the line.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 8 of 49 complaints (16% coverage)
0-20k
1 reports (13%)
20k-40k
1 reports (13%)
40k-60k
3 reports (38%)
60k-80k
2 reports (25%)
80k-100k
1 reports (13%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

AIR BAGSEQUIPMENT

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Air Bags

Issue: Improperly secured connectors may prevent airbag deployment.

Verify proper installation of airbag connectors immediately.

🔍

Request documentation proving airbag system has been inspected or repaired.

2

Infotainment System

Issue: Overheating transistors in the display may disable rearview camera functionality.

Check for software updates related to infotainment system failures.

🔍

Confirm any repairs or updates have been completed for infotainment issues before purchase.

💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your JEEP dealer to verify recall completion status.

Official Safety Recalls (2)

Campaign: 24V897000

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the front seat side air bags (SAB) may prevent the air bags from deploying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers secured the connector, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is B3B.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

Campaign: 25V083000

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:INFOTAINMENT:VIDEO (TOUCH)SCREEN/MONITOR/UNIT

Summary

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The center stack upper display (DCSD) contains a transistor that may overheat and prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence

A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers replaced the DCSD, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been repaired. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is 11C.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or go to nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

NHTSA Investigations

0 investigations

No active investigations for this vehicle.

Consumer Complaints

49 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2021 Grand Cherokee L.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Warning47%
Check Engine Light10%
Accident10%
Acceleration Issues10%
Display8%
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
STEERING

Started the vehicle and while pulling down the driveway the power steering suddenly went completely out. Warning lights began flashing and I was unable to steer vehicle. Stopped vehicle and turned off several times, however unable to overcome power steering loss, or reset warning lights. No other issues, considering the vehicle was just recently serviced for same complaint four weeks earlier and batteries replaced stemming from another recent issues with DTCS issues. Considering I was in a rural wooded area, I was forced to drive the vehicle home without power steering. I parked the vehicle waiting for appointment from dealer, and upon starting the vehicle, power steering returned, however a check engine fault light remained. The dealer found "many DTCS communication loss codes again", but stated nothing further they could do with the these factory defects at just 26,000 miles. I have all all documentation on these ongoing safety issues, with no help from Stellates.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Started driving home and heard the vehicle making clinking noises. Then the service 4wd light came on. It slips in shifting almost like the vehicle shuts down for a sec and then comes back. When you are sitting the vehicle will randomly jerk forward even in park mode. Like the brake releases and then comes back. It's very unsafe and with it shifting the way it does the actuator is failing which in return will cause a very bad accident. This car can just shut down at any given moment.

Electrical🔶 Medium
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Randomly, and without warning, the instruments, gauges, and displays will switch to Italian along with cluster and radio display settings reverting to default settings, auto door locks and paddle shifter becomes inoperative (with no menu to enable), pedestrian emergency brake (peb) lamp or forward collision warning (fcw) lamp turns on with no way to disable, units of measurement including speed, temperature, etc. change to metric and many other random settings change as well. ***This is clearly a dangerous situation because of all the functions and gauges that change, and the fact it is difficult if not impossible to recover from this due to the language of the setting menus, and the complexity of discovering and navigating through all these changes. The dealer charge me $300 diagnostic fee before resetting the software. Time goes by and it happens again. Dealer says there is nothing they can do and to wait for a software update from Stellantis, but none has come and it has been over a year. When this happens, I can change "some" of the settings back but some items cannot be reset like the FCA off lamp and paddle shifters. Back to the dealer I go for another $300 charge. Here is an example Jeep forum discussion, indicating many if not all vehicles are affected: https://www.jeepgarage.org/threads/forward-collision-warning-off-light-is-stuck-on.250301/#replies From personal experience, all of these issues started several years ago with an over the air software. This is a well known and widespread problem, and there is even a DOT Bulletin on the issue: dot.report Bulletins Because this is dangerous (for settings/gauges/units to no longer be useful while driving), and it occurs randomly, I strongly believe this issue should be a manufacturer recall. I am available for any needs."

Other🔵 Low
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I think it is the lumbar support bag in the driver's seat. It has blown up and blown up and will not deflate, to the point it is SO uncomfortable to drive and the seat back has POPPED completely open. I have pictures. I have read in some online forums other Jeep owners with this scabies l exact model have had issues. Why isn't this a recall? Help! We should not have to bear the burden of the expense of this system malfunction. How we pool together to get this considered a recall that Jeep must repair?

Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
SUSPENSION

Dear Agency I have got big problem. I am writing to request urgent assistance regarding a serious safety issue with my Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 (WL) L, imported by me (private) from the U.S. market to Poland. I have recently noticed on web recall site about a 4 recall but 2 of them are very serious campaign concerning the replacement and repair of the rear springs and second - control arm nuts. The campaign was not performed earlier in USA. My vehicle is affected by first issue — the right rear spring is dislodging, which has been confirmed by inspection in goverment cars controling station in Poland. I have already contacted two authorized Jeep service centers in Poznan, Poland: Jeep Service Złotniki, Obornicka 4 street [XXX] and Jeep Service, Świętego Michała Street 20 [XXX] , as well as I contacted Jeep Polska Headquarters. [XXX] Unfortunately, all of them informed me that they do not perform the recall repair, despite the fact that this defect poses a serious safety risk while driving. I recived information thad Jeep in USA do not pay for this recall and Jeep Polska do not perform any recall in POLAND for USA Cars. I could not imagine what it is possible. My car is dangerous for me and my family. I tried to contact Jeep Headquaters in USA without succes :( There are no email to contact recall office, only phonecall and I could not proceed it by my Polish phone number :( My vehicle details: VIN: [XXX] I kindly ask for your help in resolving this issue and ensuring that the recall repair can be performed. Please advise how I can proceed and where I can have this safety recall completed. Thank you very much for your attention and support. Best regards, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Body/Interior🔵 Low
SEATS

The driver side seat bolster inflates and deflates randomly while you are driving. Usually on the left side of the seat.

Electrical🔵 Low
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

There is a module that needs some sort of update I have power but my steering completely went out. All the lights in my dash came on, and my odometer started blinking. Ive read that newer models the 2023 edition also has this problem and has an open recall right now.

Other🔵 Low
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING MY USED VEHICLE THE "SERVICE TRANSMISSION" LIGHT TURNED ON FOR A FEW SECONDS. A FEW WEEKS LATER I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A DELAY IN GEARS SHIFTING LIKE HARSH SHIFTING. I TOOK IT TO A JEEP DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT BECAUSE WHEN HOOKED UP TO THE COMPUTER IT WAS NOT THROWING A CODE. THE ISSUE CONTINUES WHERE THERES A DELAY IN SHIFTING, ONCE THE SHIFTING HAPPENS IT WILL ACCELERATE OR SLOW DOWN DRASTICALLY WHERE IT FEELS LIKE I AM SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES OR STEP ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION, I HAVE TAKEN IT TO OTHER MECHANICS AND THEY REPLACED/ADDED A CLOCKSPRING ON MY REQUEST JUST TO SEE IF THAT WOULD FIX THE ISSUE FROM READING ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE FOR OTHER JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE L OWNERS.

Body/Interior🔶 Medium
SEATS

Drivers seat self inflate causing the seat belt to tighten mid drive . Causes severe back pain.

Electrical🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

One day, I tried to start my vehicle using the push start button, and it fell off into a hole. There were no indications or warning signs that the button was loose or needed to be replaced. When I took my vehicle to the dealership where I originally purchased it for routine maintenance, they never mentioned that the button had worn out. If it were an emergency situation where I had to turn the vehicle off and the button had randomly fallen off, there would be no other way to turn the vehicle off or on.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are common problems reported for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L?

Owners have reported complaints primarily focused on airbag deployment failures and infotainment electrical issues. Specifically, concerns around improperly secured connectors affecting side airbags and overheating components impacting rearview camera visibility are prominent warnings within this model year.

How does the reliability of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L compare to its predecessors?

'While some improvements were made in design and features over previous generations, the presence of significant recalls highlights a need for caution when considering this model. Buyers must weigh these factors against their expectations for luxury, safety, and performance.'

🧭What This Means for You

Families with young passengers, pregnant drivers, or those with frequent highway commutes should prioritize this information.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

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If You Own This Vehicle

  • Immediate Action: If any recalls are listed as 'incomplete', contact a certified JEEP service center—repairs are performed at no cost to you.
  • Unaddressed recalls pose real-world risks. Prioritize scheduling any pending repairs to maintain vehicle integrity.
  • Proactive tip: Enroll in JEEP's owner notification program for real-time safety updates.
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If You're Buying Used

  • Request the VIN from the seller and verify the 'Clean' recall status via NHTSA.
  • This specific Grand Cherokee L year is noted for its strong reliability foundations.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: February 23, 2026.