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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2021 Jeep Cherokee has 4 NHTSA safety recalls on file, 152 owner complaints, and gets about 24 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2021 Jeep Cherokee

  • Engine 4-cyl 2L
  • Drive All-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

4 open

Ask the seller for proof each was fixed. Repairs are free — and there’s also an open investigation.

Caution

What do owners report?

8 injuries reported

8 of 152 reports (~5%). On a high-volume model that alone isn’t unusual — look for patterns below.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

4 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2021.

  • 201911recalls
  • 20203recalls
  • 2021 · this car4recalls
  • 20223recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
4 / 5 stars
Frontal
4 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
5 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Optional
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2021 Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

4 open

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

  1. Power Train

    04/05/2021

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

  2. Suspension

    27/10/2020

    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.

    How they fix it: 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.

  3. Air Bags

    08/07/2024

    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."

    How they fix it: 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.

  4. Power Train

    07/05/2026

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

    How they fix it: The remedy is currently under development. 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.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2021.

  • 20191,612reports
  • 2020281reports
  • 2021 · this car152reports
  • 202248reports

152 owner reports on file

10 crash mentions 4 fire mentions 8 injury mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 152 total reports.

  • POWER TRAIN 85 of 152

    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

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15 of 152

    On [XXX], I purchased a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Limited from Blaise Alexander Hyundai in State College, Pennsylvania as a first vehicle for my [XXX] son. No problems were apparent during the brief test drive or drive home. On [XXX], during my s

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14 of 152

    I purchased this 2021 Jeep Cherokee, and it has developed a life-threatening defect where it performs an uncommanded braking while driving at speed. Without any warning the car slams on the brakes creating an immediate risk of a Rear end co

  • ENGINE 8 of 152

    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

  • SERVICE BRAKES 7 of 152

    The 2021 Jeep Cherokee sporadically and infrequently engages the parking brake and hazard flashers. In order to disengage it, the car must be put in park and turned off then on, sometimes repeatedly. It has happened multiple times when th

  • AIR BAGS 6 of 152

    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. N

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Sold in 4 versions

They range from 21 to 26 mpg combined. Figures below are the base version. Pick yours to see its own numbers.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2021.

  • 201922mpg
  • 202024mpg
  • 2021 · this car24mpg
  • 202224mpg

$2,550

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 21 mpg
Highway driving 29 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 24 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $1,750 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

4-cyl 2L

Drivetrain

All-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic 9-spd

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
4-cyl 2L
Cylinders
4
Displacement
2 L
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic 9-spd
Body
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Confirm the recalls were fixed

This model has 4 open NHTSA recalls (including the power train). Recall repairs are free at the dealer, so ask the seller for proof the remedy was performed, or verify by VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

Have a mechanic check the power train

Owners report problems with the power train more than anything else on this model. Call it out specifically during a pre-purchase inspection.

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2021 Jeep Cherokee listings

    Quick answers

    What is recalled on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee? +

    NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, including the power train. See the full list above, and confirm by VIN at nhtsa.gov.

    What gas mileage does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee get? +

    The EPA rates the 2021 Jeep Cherokee at 24 mpg combined (21 city / 29 highway), about $2,550 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2021 Jeep Cherokee? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Jeep Cherokee 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee? +

    Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, including 10 involving a crash. The most-reported area is power train.

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