2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L most often describe sudden loss of power steering, infotainment and driver-assistance glitches (including an FCW OFF light that stays on), and transmission or drivetrain trouble such as harsh shifting and loss of engagement. Many reports involve the vehicle going into a safety mode or needing a restart to recover, and several note that dealer software updates or inspections did not fully resolve the symptom.

1. 1
   Steering

   Power steering assist cuts out

   • 16 complaints (17%)
   • median 78,300 mi at 4.4 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Complaints describe the wheel suddenly becoming very hard to turn, often together with a power steering warning message and multiple dash lights. Some owners say restarting the vehicle restores assist, while others report the problem returning or the steering staying out until a rack-and-pinion replacement. Dealers reportedly performed power steering module updates and inspected the rack, and in some cases the symptom came back afterward. Reported across a wide mileage range, with many complaints filed between roughly 40,000 and 80,000 miles and several episodes occurring shortly after start-up or at low speed.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: On a test drive, ask whether the vehicle has ever shown a power steering warning or heavy steering, and whether any steering module update or rack work was done. Check the service history for repeat steering repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “After the vehicle was parked on my driveway overnight, I started driving and i got this Steering warning lights Service power steering messages Multiple electronic systems glitching at the same time I had to stop in the middle of the street because the steering wheel was super hard. I was not able to turn any way. after a few minutes I turned off the vehicle and called the dealership to see if there was anything I could do. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11723426, filed 2026-03

   “The dash lit up with all lights and it said SOS Power STEERING is out. I could not turn the wheel. The lights such as my miles was blinking, the seat belt was flashing along with dinging even though my seat belt was on. There has been recalls due to power steering issues but my car isn't on there. It put me and my son at risk for a terrible accident. I have taken it to a dealership. There were no warnings prior to this incident.”

   NHTSA complaint #11631019, filed 2024-12
2. 2
   Forward collision avoidance

   FCW OFF light and driver-assistance faults

   • 12 complaints (13%)
   • median 18,000 mi at 4.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2024–2026

   Owners report the forward collision warning light staying on with no way to turn it back off, sometimes after an over-the-air software update, leaving the warning and automatic braking functions unavailable. Several also describe the gauge cluster and radio switching to another language and resetting settings, with paddle shifters and door locks becoming inoperative. Complaints mention dealer software work and a published service bulletin, and some say the problem returned after the update. Mostly reported between roughly 18,000 and 70,000 miles, and often described as starting after a software update rather than at a specific mileage.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Before buying, confirm the radio and driver-assistance software is at the latest version and check that the FCW light is not illuminated with the system switched on. Ask the dealer to document any completed software updates.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On or about 10/7/26, my vehicle suffered a simultaneous, unprompted failure of multiple safety and control systems. I believe this is due to a background manufacturer-initiated Over-the-Air (OTA) software update and is a well known issue on the Jeep Grand Cherrokee L . The exact date the update was pushed is unknown, as it occurred automatically via the telematics system. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11769919, filed 2026-10

   “In May 2025 the vehicle randomly, and without warning, the instruments, gauges, and displays switched to Italian, changed to Metric, and we got the update and FCW Off light stuck on. Numerous other settings had been reset. Took to dealer and had to pay for the fix - they noted a STAR bulletin on my invoice. Then this past weekend (May 2, 2026) it happened again. At least this time it didn't go Italian and Metric on me, but lots of other settings were changed. Did not test the paddle shifters but will do that soon. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11735441, filed 2026-05
3. 3
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Harsh shifting, no gear engagement, drivetrain noise

   • 18 complaints (19%)
   • median 73,165 mi at 5.4 yrs old (2 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Complaints describe delayed or harsh shifts, stuttering when accelerating from a stop, and in some cases the vehicle failing to go into gear at all, requiring a tow. A few owners report a violent shake and mechanical noise from underneath before the vehicle stopped moving, with dealers replacing the transmission, driveshaft or transfer case. Others say the dealer found no stored codes and could not reproduce the concern. Frequently reported from roughly 40,000 to 85,000 miles, sometimes shortly after a scheduled service visit where the concern was raised.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Drive at low speed and from a stop to feel for delayed or harsh engagement, and ask for the transmission service history, including any fluid or output shaft repairs.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “On April 24,2026 , as pull out my driveway heading to work only to get a 1/4 mile from home car stopped in highway. As I power and restarted tried to select a different gear never went in gear. Towed by to dealership as confirmed transmission was stuck with inly 67000. They replaced with new transmission & drive shaft, costing over $7,000. Warranty company paid part of rent car but still out of $300”

   NHTSA complaint #11737978, filed 2026-05

   “I brought my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L to the dealership for its scheduled ~40,000 mile service. During that visit, I specifically reported that something felt off with the transmission/drivetrain. The dealership inspected the vehicle and stated that no issues were found. Approximately one week later, the vehicle experienced a sudden and severe drivetrain failure. While driving approximately 45 mph on a surface street and accelerating to cruising speed, the vehicle began shaking violently. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11735755, filed 2026-05
4. 4
   Suspension

   Rear sway, bounce and shaking (coil spring recall)

   • 11 complaints (11%)
   • median 66,000 mi at 5.8 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Complaints describe the rear of the vehicle swaying or fishtailing over bumps, railroad tracks and potholes, and in some cases shaking or bouncing at low speed. Several owners link the behavior to a rear coil spring recall and report that the repair parts were not yet available. Others describe a knocking or rocking feeling in motion and pulling to one side despite alignment being in spec. Most often reported between roughly 40,000 and 125,000 miles, and frequently on rough or uneven road surfaces.

   Recall 26V562000Recall 26V051000

   What to check: Ask whether the rear coil spring recall has been performed on the vehicle, and check whether parts were actually installed rather than just scheduled. Note any rear-end sway on a test drive over uneven pavement.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I am reporting that the vehicle is having a constant knocking sound and weird rocking driving problem when in motion leading to pulling to one side and uneven balancing even with perfect alignment and no alignment issues. Vehicle has been serviced at the dealership without any remedy to the problem and was informed that other vehicles for the same model type Jeep 2021 Grand Cherokee L. Control Arms and other components were replaced and the problem was not resolved”

   NHTSA complaint #11750457, filed 2026-07

   “The steering started to feel intermittently difficult and then would release. It has been looked at by 2 mechanics and they report that it appears to be a structural failure of the front strut. The strut tower has separated from the body, the adhesive has failed, the rivets have broken loose, and the movement is causing the strut tower to contact the steering shaft resulting in intermittent binding of the steering. All involved believe this is a serious safety defect and a manufacturing issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11759807, filed 2026-08
5. 5
   Other or unknown

   Passenger seat lumbar inflates and will not deflate

   • 5 complaints (5%)
   • median 57,000 mi at 5.7 yrs old (1 states mileage, few)
   • filed 2025–2026

   Owners report the front passenger seat back inflating on its own and staying inflated, sometimes overnight after the vehicle is shut off, and in one case splitting the seat back pocket. Complaints say the bulge makes the seat unusable and that they were concerned about the seat-mounted air bag. Some owners had dealer appointments scheduled but no repair documented at the time of filing. Reported at varying mileages, including vehicles around 57,000 miles, and often noticed on first use of the vehicle after sitting.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Sit in and cycle the passenger seat lumbar and massage functions, then check the seat back for a persistent bulge after the vehicle has been off for a while.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There were no warning lights, but when I got into car I seen my passenger seat swollen up. Looks like lumbar expanded and is going to pop. Could be dangerous if it explodes to the person sitting in the seat or behind. It just happened out of no where.”

   NHTSA complaint #11677004, filed 2025-07

   “Passenger seat back inflated so you cannot sit in the seat safely. Not sure if faulty massage chair component or lumbar support. Almost like an air bulge.”

   NHTSA complaint #11648885, filed 2025-03

Buying note. Ask for the full service history and confirm whether the rear coil spring recall and the latest radio and driver-assistance software updates have been completed. A thorough test drive covering low-speed takeoffs, rough pavement and a check of the driver-assistance warning lights is worth doing before committing.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.