2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 61about this part
- Share
- 15%of 410 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 16,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 61 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 15% of the 410 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This Car have a lot issues we the computer in the car, the car I was missing oil in the engine ,the piston. Blows out No light 💡 engine On the car have a lot problems we trans mission No light On,I Have problems we transfer Case No light on, Now still having problems if backups sometimes is No light on,I don’t know if Normal but if have a lot safety concerns in this car.”
NHTSA complaint #11667942, filed 2025-06“I was sitting inside my home when all of the sudden I heard a loud boom, walked outside and saw my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee on fire. The fire started in the front and moved to the back of the vehicle. The engine had been off for about 2 hours and vehicle was sitting in the driveway. My son's car seat, stroller and many other belongings were ruined in the fire. A police report was not filed, but a fire report was.”
NHTSA complaint #11617879, filed 2024-10“There is a delay in my car starting when I push the start button. When doing some research online to see what the possible issue might be I found that other cars with the same make/model/year had this issue and was apart of a recall for the fuel pump relay.”
NHTSA complaint #11692129, filed 2025-10“Driving Jeep and engine stop, only had steering no brakes fortunately our speed was less than 10 miles per hr and we were in a parking lot. There is only about 770 miles on vehicle and we’ve owned the Jeep 3 weeks. Our concern is what would of happen if we were in heavy traffic, it was rush hour at the time? The dealer is picking up car tomorrow but that doesn’t fix our concerns!”
NHTSA complaint #11420941, filed 2021-06“The issue is in starting the vehicle. When I push the start button, the vehicle starts, but the engine continues to turn without stopping and turning over. I then push the start button again to turn off the engine and make another attempt, and then it will start normally. This has happened several times in the last few weeks. Also, sometimes when you push the start button, nothing happens, and the vehicle will not start. It takes a second attempt to start normally”
NHTSA complaint #11699713, filed 2025-11Related service bulletins
- 11034912Jun 30, 2026Throttle body – none
- 11034911Jun 30, 2026Throttle body – none
- 11034335Jun 18, 2026Bolt - hex flange head
- 11031455Apr 18, 2026Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of…
- 11030229Mar 21, 2026Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of…
- 11029764Feb 23, 2026WATER PUMP
- 11029763Feb 23, 2026WATER PUMP
- 11027837Jan 21, 2026Water Pump & Chain Case Cover
- 11027836Jan 21, 2026Water Pump & Chain Case Cover
- 11026631Dec 8, 2025Throttle body - none
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 22 | 71% |
| 2025 | 23 | 29% |
| 2024 | 109 | 43% |
| 2023 | 86 | 21% |
| 2022 | 51 | 19% |
| 2021 | 61 | 15% |
| 2020 | 50 | 21% |
| 2019 | 64 | 17% |
| 2018 | 125 | 15% |
| 2017 | 102 | 28% |
| 2016 | 76 | 24% |
| 2015 | 204 | 15% |
| 2014 | 409 | 17% |
| 2013 | 106 | 13% |
| 2012 | 285 | 17% |
| 2011 | 344 | 21% |
| 2010 | 21 | 18% |
| 2009 | 22 | 16% |
| 2008 | 107 | 15% |
| 2007 | 170 | 15% |
| 2006 | 124 | 10% |
| 2005 | 134 | 7% |
| 2004 | 35 | 3% |
| 2003 | 16 | 2% |
| 2002 | 26 | 2% |
| 2001 | 19 | 2% |
| 2000 | 34 | 2% |
| 1999 | 22 | 1% |
| 1998 | 14 | 1% |
| 1997 | 15 | 2% |
| 1996 | 17 | 2% |
| 1995 | 3 | 0% |
| 1994 | 3 | 1% |
| 1993 | 1 | 0% |
| 1989 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
115 complaintsSteering
102 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
59 complaintsOther or unknown
57 complaintsExterior lighting
42 complaintsFuel system
41 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsLane departure
29 complaintsForward collision avoidance
25 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology