Jeep · Known Issues
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Problems: 35 Known Issues
2021 model year · 3,920+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2021 model year · 3,920+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2021 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,920+ owner reports, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 35 documented known issues, with 3 rated critical. The most serious are Loss of Steering Control: Upper Control Arm Pinch Bolt & Intermediate Shaft (Recalls 23V-352, 24V-131) ($0-$0 repair), 3.6L Pentastar Upgrade Rocker Arm / Intake Camshaft Lobe Wear Causing Misfire and Tick ($600-$3,500 repair) and 2011-2021 5.7L Persistent Tick or Misfire - Confirm Valvetrain Damage Before Parts. The most commonly reported issue is 2011-2021 Quadra-Lift Warning or Uneven Ride Height - Diagnose Before Parts with 920 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $20 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler and 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. A hybrid control processor (HCP) software error may cause the defrosting and defogging system to be inoperative. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 103, "Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems."
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. When the master headlight switch is set to the AUTO position, the driver may be unable to quickly activate the high beams. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. An improperly machined steering knuckle may separate between the ball joint and knuckle, causing the wheel to fall outward and resulting in a loss of control.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2023-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An improperly connected coaxial cable may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The front bumper may be missing energy absorbing foam, which can cause the front air bags not to deploy as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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According to Au7o's analysis of 3,920+ owner reports, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 35 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Loss of Steering Control: Upper Control Arm Pinch Bolt & Intermediate Shaft (Recalls 23V-352, 24V-131), 3.6L Pentastar Upgrade Rocker Arm / Intake Camshaft Lobe Wear Causing Misfire and Tick, 2011-2021 5.7L Persistent Tick or Misfire - Confirm Valvetrain Damage Before Parts. Of these, 3 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 35 known issues documented across 3,920+ owner reports. 3 issues are rated critical: Loss of Steering Control: Upper Control Arm Pinch Bolt & Intermediate Shaft (Recalls 23V-352, 24V-131) and 3.6L Pentastar Upgrade Rocker Arm / Intake Camshaft Lobe Wear Causing Misfire and Tick and 2011-2021 5.7L Persistent Tick or Misfire - Confirm Valvetrain Damage Before Parts. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Jeep Grand Cherokee issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Loss of Steering Control: Upper Control Arm Pinch Bolt & Intermediate Shaft (Recalls 23V-352, 24V-131), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
On the new WL-generation Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L, two assembly defects can cause loss of steering control. Upper control arm (UCA) pinch bolts damaged during assembly can break and let the UCA separate from the steering knuckle, dropping the wheel outboard. Separately… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The updated/'Upgrade' 3.6L Pentastar V6 (used on later WK2 and the WL fifth-gen) suffers premature wear of the intake rocker-arm roller bearings and/or intake camshaft lobes, traced by TSB to a manufacturing issue. As the rocker bearing or cam lobe wears, the valve no longer open… Repairs typically run $600-$3,500. Severity: high.
A persistent tick and cylinder misfire on a 5.7L Grand Cherokee can be consistent with valvetrain damage, but those symptoms do not identify a failed MDS lifter or worn camshaft by themselves. Exhaust-manifold leaks, ignition or injector faults, oil-pressure problems, rocker/push… Severity: high.
Quadra-Lift is a closed, electronically controlled air-suspension system, so a Service Air Suspension message, a low corner, or a denied height change does not identify one universal failed part. The factory diagnostic path covers electrical and communication faults, fuses and vo… Severity: medium.
The ZF 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission can exhibit harsh shifts, hesitation, or erratic behavior. Some owners report the transmission hunting between gears or feeling like it's in the wrong gear for the driving conditions. Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The water pump on the 3.6L Pentastar V6 can fail, causing coolant leaks and overheating. The pump is internal and driven by the timing chain, making replacement labor-intensive. Failure often occurs between 80,000-120,000 miles. Repairs typically run $800-$1,800. Severity: medium.
Chrysler recalled 2022-2023 Grand Cherokee, 2021-2023 Grand Cherokee L (plus 2022-2024 Wagoneer/Grand Wagoneer) because the Central Vision Park Assist Module (CVPAM) software can prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is shifted into reverse — a non-complianc… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.
Oil found around the Pentastar oil filter adapter does not prove that the complete adapter or oil cooler has cracked. FCA's service guidance separates several repair paths: a cap O-ring that is cut, damaged, or installed in the wrong groove; five adapter bolts that are not at the… Severity: medium.
The electronic-throttle-control warning lamp and reduced-power or limp mode are protective responses, not a diagnosis that the throttle body has failed. Depending on the stored DTC and application, the factory path may lead to a stuck or contaminated throttle plate, throttle moto… Severity: medium.
FCA US recalled 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee models because software in the Central Vision Park Assist Module (CVPAM) may keep the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. With no rear camera image on the center… Severity: medium.
A WK2 front-end clunk over bumps, during braking, or while steering can come from more than the sway-bar links or lower control arms named in the old card. The source can vary with loading and may involve a stabilizer link or bushing, control-arm bushing, ball joint, tie-rod end,… Severity: medium.
Grand Cherokee 4x4 differentials (and the transfer case) are a known spot for pinion-seal leaks — owners find gear oil weeping where the driveshaft meets the diff, leaving puddles and, if ignored, running the diff low on lube. A low/contaminated differential then produces a speed… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: medium.
WK2 Grand Cherokees commonly develop a speed-dependent driveline vibration or shudder felt through the floor/seat, typically appearing around 45-75 mph and often worse under light acceleration or on deceleration. The rear driveshaft uses CV-style joints and a splined slip section… Repairs typically run $100-$1,200. Severity: medium.
Owners of panoramic-sunroof-equipped Grand Cherokees (WK2 and 5th-gen WL) report the glass panel spontaneously shattering or 'exploding' with a loud pop while driving on clear days, with no impact. NHTSA complaints and forum reports describe the tempered panel bursting outward/in… Repairs typically run $800-$2,000. Severity: medium.
The 3.6L Pentastar's oil filter housing is an integrated plastic oil-cooler assembly that mounts in the valley under the intake manifold. The plastic warps and becomes brittle from repeated heat cycling — expanding and contracting at a different rate than the aluminum engine — so… Repairs typically run $400-$900. Severity: medium.
Because the A/C condenser sits at the very front of the Grand Cherokee behind the grille, it is highly exposed to rocks and road debris, which puncture the thin tubes and cause refrigerant loss. Condenser leaks are one of the leading causes of an A/C that blows lukewarm or no col… Repairs typically run $400-$1,200. Severity: medium.
Front wheel hub/bearing assemblies are a recurring wear failure on the WK2 Grand Cherokee, producing a humming, whining, or growling noise that rises with road speed (commonly noticeable from about 35-50 mph) and often changes pitch when the vehicle is loaded or steered left/righ… Repairs typically run $200-$750. Severity: medium.
Grand Cherokees develop heater-core problems from two directions: internal clogging (residual casting sand/scale restricting the fine tubes, producing weak or no heat) and leaks at the core or its plastic firewall inlet/outlet elbows (producing a sweet coolant smell, a greasy fog… Repairs typically run $300-$1,800. Severity: medium.
WK2 (and 5th-gen WL) Grand Cherokees use hydraulic fluid-filled engine mounts. The mounts commonly fail — the internal fluid leaks out (visible reddish-brown residue on the subframe) and the rubber degrades — producing a pronounced vibration felt through the steering wheel, seat,… Repairs typically run $300-$950. Severity: medium.
On WK2 Grand Cherokees the sunroof/panoramic roof drain tubes kink, slip off, or clog with debris and slime at the lower reducer fittings. When the drains back up, water overflows the roof track and runs down the A-pillars into the headliner and floor, soaking carpet and risking… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.