2021 Jeep Cherokee Complaints

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/05/2026

My 2021 Jeep Cherokee suffered a complete failure of its 1-speed PTU and ESM module, causing a loss of 4WD capabilities. This is the exact same failure mechanism and safety risk outlined in recall 40D, but 1 speed units are being excluded from coverage. My vehicle is at dealership awaiting for this PTU. Service 4WD light on dashboard. Not safe to drive.

POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE — Filed 10/12/2026

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.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/15/2026

PTU issue- located a recall for 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee Power Transfer Unit recall; my VIN wasn't one the ones listed. took vehicle to the local jeep dealership and the advised that PTU internal damage needs to be fixed.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/16/2026

Jeep Cherokee suffered the exact PTU failure detailed in NHTSA Campaign 26V290, and it has been sitting at a dealership since August 17 because the manufacturer has failed to provide a remedy. Dealership confirmed the issue is a PTU failure. Has been almost 2 months since the PTU failed and there is no fix in sight. Have spoken to FCA US LLC Assistance Center multiple times and all they can say is I have to continue to wait. Have been told reimbursement is paused until remedy is released and they won't guarantee full reimbursement if I were to pay for the fix myself.

LANE DEPARTURE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 09/14/2026

I am reporting a safety concern involving the Forward Collision Warning (FCW) system on my 2021 Jeep Cherokee Altitude FWD with a 2.4L engine. Every time I start the vehicle, the dashboard displays the warning message "FCW Unavailable – Service Required." The warning remains displayed while I am driving, indicating that the Forward Collision Warning system is not functioning properly. This is a safety concern because the vehicle is equipped with Full-Speed Forward Collision Warning Plus, which is designed to help warn the driver of potential frontal collisions. With this system unavailable, I cannot rely on its collision warning and automatic emergency braking functions. The issue occurs consistently during vehicle operation. The exact cause of the malfunction is currently unknown. I am requesting that NHTSA document and review this safety concern and determine whether further investigation is warranted.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 05/07/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the transmission was hesitating while attempting to accelerate after the vehicle was started and slowly accelerated to the intended speed. While driving, the transmission was shifted to Sports Mode and manual shift mode to drive the vehicle. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated, and the message "4WD Service Required" was displayed. The transmission failed to shift out of 2nd gear and shifted roughly between gears. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic, and the contact was notified of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); and associated the failure with the PTU. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not yet available for the recall repair. The manufacturer was informed of the issue and confirmed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. The failure mileage was 117,800.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/06/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. While driving 70 MPH, there was an abnormal whining and grinding sound coming from the vehicle. The message "4WD Service Unavailable" was displayed. The failure mileage was approximately 113,400.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/08/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the PTU unexpectedly exploded. The contact pushed the vehicle into a parking lot, and the vehicle was then towed to a dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact later received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer confirmed that parts were not yet available for reimbursement assistance. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and several cases were opened. The failure mileage was 190,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 09/09/2026

I entered my vehicle and noted the panel below the steering column was sagging. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be an airbag, specifically the driver-side knee bolster air bag. I took the vehicle in for service at the dealership, and two technicians stated the air bag was partially deployed. The panel was continuing to sag and the air bag was more visible. My vehicle was not involved in an accident - the dealership technicians also verified this by inspecting my vehicle's bumpers. Despite my air bag hanging outside of its panel, there were no warning lights on the dash indicating the airbag was not secured properly. Had I been in an accident, the knee bolster air bag would not have deployed and protected me. Conversely, if the air bag were to deploy randomly, it could potentially lead to an accident if I were startled.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/08/2026

Information from dealer-- 40 D 2019-2023 KL PTU Failure

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/14/2026

We experienced Jeep Recall 40D. NHTSA 26V-290. We were 60 miles from [XXX] when this occurred. We were traveling West on [XXX] about 60 miles from Rapid City. We were 1500 miles from our home in [XXX]. The speed limit is 80 mph on this part of the interstate. With no warning the vehicle quit on us. With some grinding noises and no power we drifted to the side of the highway. We received 4WD service messages. I was able to pull the PTU 20amp fuse, which put the car into limp mode(50 mph max). We got off [XXX], a few miles down the road. We entered the [XXX] and got on [XXX] into [XXX] about 70 miles away. We took the Jeep Cherokee to Liberty Jeep and they verified we did indeed encounter recall 40D. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

POWER TRAIN — Filed 07/10/2026

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle's wheels locked up. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and whiplash and pain. The service 4WD warning light was illuminated after the failure. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train). The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The dealer diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the failure was caused by a catastrophic PTU failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was able to obtain a loaner vehicle. The manufacturer opened a STAR case and determined that there was no coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/24/2026

Car accident on 1/24 hit tree head on around 35 mph with NO airbags deploying. Suffered from concussion and whiplash, and potential of more serious injury. Insurance will be inspecting vehicle in the next week to determine total loss. No warning lamps, messages or other issues to the car prior to the accident

ENGINE — Filed 12/06/2025

The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sweet/alcohol smell in the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent while in the process of performing a stress test drive. There was a popping sound from the ignition, and it stopped on the interstate. Upon opening the hood, he noticed smoke and flames, and the vehicle fully ignited and caught fire. The fire department was on the scene to extinguish the fire and determined that the cable installation or hose installation failure of equipment/leak resulted in an electrical fire. There was no reported crash, air bag deployment, or police report filed. The local dealer was contacted, who referred to the manufacturer and the NHTSA hotline. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company.

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 01/08/2025

The vehicle gave us a service 4wd warning on my wife's way home from work. The car had numerous issues driving it home. It wouldn't move in drive, until it was put in park and then back into drive and it would automatically engage the parking brake. Once she brought it home I went to check the vehicle. I got into the vehicle, put it into reverse and backed up the driveway. Once I stopped and placed the vehicle in drive it automatically engaged the parking brake. I put the vehicle in drive disengaged the brake pulled the car forward toward my house. I stopped the car placed it in park. The vehicle kept rolling about 2 ft. Into my garage door and then engaged the parking brake.. I don't know what is wrong, I have never seen a vehicle do this. I have checked and this is a common problem. I don't know why this isn't recalled. It is a dangerous vehicle like this.

SUSPENSION,WHEELS — Filed 02/12/2024

While driving the front left wheel started to come off the axel. The stability control light came on prior to the incident. The vehicle was towed to a Chrysler dealership for a mechanic to inspect the vehicle. A mechanic at a Chrysler dealership inspected the vehicle and the following was repairs were needed- new axle shaft, new knuckle, and new arm control. The axle broke and knuckle broke which resulted in the tire coming off of the vehicle. A claim was turned into insurance carrier and repairs have been completed to the vehicle.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 02/16/2024

The Jeep caught fire underneath while I was driving on the highway. There were no warning lamps or symptoms of the problem prior to failure. I saw flames come up over the front of the car and immediately parked and ran with my child. We could have died.The fire and stopped car in the middle of the highway could have caused a pile up of crashes. It is unknown what component or system failed and I don't believe it is available for inspection as State Farm decided not to move forward with inspection. They declared it a total loss.

AIR BAGS — Filed 03/18/2023

Was driving down hwy and vehicle pulled out directly in front of me. Nothing i could do but hit the brakes. Severe front end damage done to my 2021 Jeep Cherokee. Airbags did not deploy. There were injuries. No one can figure out why the airbags didn't deploy on either the passenger side nor the driver side. Thankfully no one was killed. I believe there to be a defect in the airbags on this vehicle of not deploying. The collision was fast enough and enough front end damage to deploy. The airbags in the other vehicle that was involved deployed just fine. Ours however didn't. Asking Jeep to look at their 2021 cherokee models.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 12/22/2022

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph and crossing an intersection, he crashed into another vehicle head-on. The contact stated the air bags did not deploy and the driver-side seat belt did not retract. The contact sustained injuries on his chest due to hitting the steering wheel and had bruises/swelling on his right foot. The contact sought medical attention at a nearby hospital. The contact stated the other driver was taken by an ambulance but was unaware of their injuries. A police report was filed. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and stated he saw smoke from the engine due to the antifreeze leaking. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to his residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 01/18/2022

I put my car in tow mode, after hooking up my RV, followed all proper procedures, after I turned key off and closed the door, between then and when I started to roll, the emergency brake AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED! I burned up my two rear Jeep tires and could have been worse had not a nice guy stop me and said your tires are on fire!!! I have a 38 ft Alpine, so didn't realize the pull! I luckily only had to replace my 2 rear tires and one sensor that melted! $450. Since then I watch for this DANGEROUS AUTO FEATURE and it has engaged on its own again a few times, not always, but occasionally. I can't have this going on it I plan to tow this vehicle!

SUSPENSION — Filed 11/17/2021

I was driving and felt the wheel jerk and heard a crack noise under the front end of my car immediately after my vehichle was pulled abruptly to left causing me to hit a curb. WHen I got out and inspected the vehichle it looked as if the tire had been tilted inwards towards the car. I had the car towed to my local mechanic they told me that this is part of a recall and I needed to go through the dealership. The dealer is saying my car is not covered under that specific recall which is the exact problem that I had.

AIR BAGS,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES — Filed 10/25/2021

The contact rented a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude. The contact stated while driving approximately 70mph when the contact lost control of the vehicle and experienced a head-on collision to the front end of the vehicle. While the contact was attempting to leave the vehicle post-accident, the driver-side interior door handle would not function and open the driver-side door. Which resulted in the contact having to open the door via the exterior door handle. All airbags deployed minus driver-side airbags. A police report was filed and the contact sought medical treatment and sustained a mild concussion, a hematoma on legs, and bruising on the chest abdomen, and face. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot where it was awaiting diagnosis. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 40,000. The VIN was unavailable.

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/27/2021

I was involved in an accident on May 27, 2021 with my brand new Jeep Cherokee Latitude 2021, less than 3 k miles. Another driver ran a red light and I t-boned him, all of his air bags went off, but none of my air bags deployed. Hit the steering wheel with my chest, arms, hit the under dash area with knees and ankles as a result and am pretty bruised up.

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/27/2021

Another driver ran a red light and I t-boned him. All of his air bags went off, none of mine deployed. Hit the steering wheel hard with chest and arms, hit lower dash hard with knees and feet. Resulted in concussion and a bunch of bruising and strains.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 03/12/2021

WE WERE IN A FRONT IMPACT VEHICLE ACCIDENT. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, BRAKES FAILED AFTER IMPACT AND THE ENGINE DIDN'T SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE ECU POWER RELAY FOR THE ENGINE TO STOP.