Model year 2021 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2021 Jeep Cherokee: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2021 Jeep Cherokee at 21–26 mpg combined across 9 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 176 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

21–26

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 28, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 28, 2026, 7:36 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Jeep dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2021 Jeep Cherokee recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, newest first.

Power train

NHTSA 26V290000 Reported May 7, 2026

Filed by: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. 40D)
Units affected: 61,711 (estimate)
Problem: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk: 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 were 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Air bags: Side/window: Curtain

NHTSA 24V516000 Reported Jul 8, 2024

Filed by: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. 71B)
Units affected: 13 (estimate)
Problem: 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."
Risk: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Power train: Automatic transmission: Cooler/radiator: Hoses and fittings

NHTSA 21V310000 Reported May 4, 2021

Filed by: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. Y18)
Units affected: 18,800 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Suspension: Front: Control arm: Lower arm

NHTSA 20V657000 Reported Oct 27, 2020

Filed by: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. W81)
Units affected: 698 (estimate)
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2021 Jeep Cherokee fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2021 Jeep Cherokee EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Cherokee 4WD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/29/24 mpg	$2,800	369
Cherokee 4WD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/29/24 mpg	$2,800	370
Cherokee 4WD	3.2L 6-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	19/27/22 mpg	$3,050	400
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/27/23 mpg	$2,900	387
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II	3.2L 6-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	18/26/21 mpg	$3,200	416
Cherokee FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 9-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	23/31/26 mpg	$2,600	345
Cherokee FWD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	22/31/25 mpg	$2,700	352
Cherokee FWD	3.2L 6-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/29/23 mpg	$2,900	387
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD	3.2L 6-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	18/24/21 mpg	$3,200	432

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2021 Jeep Cherokee crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2021 Jeep Cherokee NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2021 Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars	16.9%	Optional
2021 Jeep Cherokee SUV FWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars	17.4%	Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2021 Jeep Cherokee owner complaints

Owners have filed 176 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Jeep Cherokee, most recently on Oct 15, 2026. 10 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 8 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2021 Jeep Cherokee complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Power train	99
Engine	28
Unknown or other	26
Electrical system	22
Service brakes	13
Air bags	9
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking	5
Forward collision avoidance: Warnings	5
Fuel/propulsion system	5
Suspension	5

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Jeep Cherokee model years

Jeep Cherokee by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2026 Cherokee	37 mpg	4	9	—
2023 Cherokee	22–24 mpg	1	3	4/5
2022 Cherokee	21–26 mpg	3	52	4/5
2020 Cherokee	21–26 mpg	3	334	4/5
2019 Cherokee	21–26 mpg	11	1,672	4/5
2018 Cherokee	21–25 mpg	7	688	4/5
2017 Cherokee	21–25 mpg	6	1,338	4/5
2016 Cherokee	22–25 mpg	9	1,412	4/5
2015 Cherokee	21–25 mpg	11	1,778	4/5

All Jeep Cherokee years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2021 Jeep models

2021 Jeep Compass 2021 Jeep Gladiator 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021 Jeep Renegade 2021 Jeep Wrangler

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 28, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Jeep.