Jeep Cherokee Complaints (2021)

152 consumer complaints on file.

#11713965January 28, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
the light came on that says cannot move vehicle, it just stopped. The Power Transfer Unit went out--I cannot get a part since it is backordered over 1200 people right now are having issues with the part of the vehicle
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11713613January 27, 2026
AIR BAGS
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. No warning lamps, messages or other issues to the car prior to the accident
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11706912December 24, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I was driving on the interstate at approximately 70 mph when I attempted to accelerate to pass another vehicle. There was no response. At first, I thought I might have hit a patch of ice, but I quickly confirmed that wasn’t the case. I tried to accelerate again, and once more nothing happened—other than the engine revving. No warning lights appeared to indicate a problem. I coasted to the next exit and was able to safely park the Jeep. I then had the vehicle towed to a local Chrysler dealership. As it turns out, the Jeep had suffered a catastrophic failure of the PTU (Power Transfer Unit), which I understand has been a known issue for Jeep for several years. The dealership received a replacement PTU, but they quickly determined that the replacement unit was also defective.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11705902December 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN
PTU Failure. Known issue. 2017-2019 recalled but the part is still and issue and can lock up transmission. Recall needs to be extended to cover later years
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704383December 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
I took my vehicle to dealer shortly after purchase due to jerking forward during stops. A software update was performed and did not have any issues until recently. The past few weeks it began to hesitate upon acceleration and jerked forward harshly into first gear. Today there is a very noticeable prolonged hesitation during acceleration and an odd revving noice coming from TPU. This should be a major recall given the frequency and severity of the issue which could lead to a crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11704201December 10, 2025
ENGINE
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 a stress test drive. There was a popping sound from the ignition, and it stopped on the interstate. Upon opening the hood, he noticed smoke and flames, and the vehicle fully ignited and caught fire. The fire department was on the scene to extinguish the fire and determined that the cable installation or hose installation failure of equipment/leak resulted in an electrical fire. There was no reported crash, air bag deployment, or police report filed. The local dealer was contacted, who referred to the manufacturer and the NHTSA hotline. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000. The vehicle was deemed a total loss by the insurance company.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11702681December 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the hazard lights failed to operate. The contact's wife coasted the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the battery had failed. The dealer replaced the battery. The contact stated that the battery warning light was not illuminated before the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701952November 28, 2025
POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I have had a service 4wd light on for months. The Power Transfer Case part has been on backorder from jeep for over 4 months and I have been left with out a vehicle this entire time with no updates or information about when the parts will be available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701840November 28, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My jeep initially shutoff while driving on the interstate at 70 mph last December. I took it the dealership and they kept it for 2 months and replaced several parts. I got it back and it shutoff the next day, but started after l let it sit for an hour. Then it went for weeks with no issues, then it started happening again, so I took it to a different dealership. They also repaired different issues. I got it back and it shutoff again on the interstate at 70 mph in rush hour traffic. Both times were scary and unsafe situations. The jeep has been at the dealership now over a month with no diagnosis. It has been at 2 dealerships for a total of 4 months. I've researched this and found out that there are a lot of people having the same problem with this jeep and similar types. I'm wondering why is this not a safety recall issue, because both of my situations could of ended badly if I had panicked. Please have this situation addressed or reviewed before it causes bodily harm! The manufacturer/dealership doesn't seem to take this seriously!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11699616November 15, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
About a month ago I noticed the gas pump clicking off quickly, way before the tank is full. I have been unable to fully fill my tank since. No accidents have occurred to cause a problem but my engine light is on and after getting it read it says it's an EVAC issue. When placing the nozzle in the tank a large amount of air noise is heard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698499November 10, 2025
POWER TRAIN
2021 78784 MILES WONT DRIVE 4 WHEEL LIGHT ON DEALER STATES NEES NEW PTU SAYS THERES MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE PTU BUT WILL NOT COVER UNDER WARRANTY. $ 4, 000 TO REPAIR 99 COMPLIANTS HERE ALONE
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698184November 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
While driving on the highway a message popped up that the 4 wheel drive system was unavailable. Then the orange error message displayed the svc 4wd. Then it went off. I called the dealership and was told to get it checked sometime, but since it went off there was no rush. I told him to check it when I brought it in for an oil change. Apparently they did not check it for error codes. No error messages or lights when I went to work. Came out to go home and the battery was dead. Called the dealership for a jump. They came and jump started me. When I put the car into reverse, it wouldn't go. I called the dealership again and they came back and said I'd need to get my Jeep towed to them. My Jeep was towed on Wednesday, October 29. It took the dealership a week to look at my car and find out that the PTU had metal chunks and slime in it.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698135November 7, 2025
POWER TRAIN
PTU failure
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11696243October 29, 2025
POWER TRAIN
The check 4wd light on, the PTU needs replaced
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695339October 23, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Their was no incident
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694625October 20, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle was sold by DriveTime (Highland, Indiana) on August 29, 2025, with a known safety recall (Y18 – Transmission Oil Cooler Hose, NHTSA 21V-310) that had not been properly repaired. Jeep dealership documentation dated October 17, 2025, shows the recall was only “inspected” but no repair was completed. Within 30 days of purchase, the check engine light began turning on and off intermittently, and an AutoZone diagnostic (Code P0934 – Hydraulic Pressure Sensor Circuit Low) confirmed a powertrain failure related to the transmission system. The defect affects hydraulic pressure and gear shifting, creating an unsafe driving condition that risks transmission failure while in motion. The issue has been confirmed by both AutoZone and the Jeep dealership but not repaired. Dealer and warranty administrator SilverRock have refused to provide repairs or a loaner vehicle. Both entities were notified that the vehicle is used by a disabled driver and child, and this refusal poses serious safety and accessibility risks. Despite multiple warnings, both companies continue to deny responsibility, violating federal recall obligations under 49 U.S.C. §§ 30118–30120 and creating an ongoing risk of engine/transmission failure while driving. Related complaints are active with the Indiana Attorney General (Case #11811118) and the Federal Trade Commission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694320October 18, 2025
POWER TRAIN
Incident occur on 25 August, 2025: While driving I experienced a violent jerk and sudden loss of power. The vehicle continued to drive with attenuated power, jerking motion during gear shifts, and loud clucking sounds coming from powertrain. There were no injuries or accidents as result of malfunction. The vehicle was later taken to dealership for diagnosis. The dealership determined root cause as a Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failure. PTUs for this vehicle are on backorder or not available from manufacturer. This vehicle is 2021 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk 4x4 edition with a 3.2L V6 engine and automatic transmission.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11692526October 10, 2025
ENGINE
UNKNOWN purchased a used 2021 Jeep on July 3, 2025 received the CARFAX showing it passed all tests however, after I drove off the lot the engine sounded funny, took it back on July 10, they send the car to a Jeep dealer who stated it needed a new engine I also stated the AC smells funny, which they never addressed I finally got my jeep back end of Septemeber with new engine never heard a word from the Dealer even after 2 attempts to speak with them to get a full refund
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687250September 15, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SVC 4WD
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11687099September 13, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PTU power transfer case. Service PTU light came on. We had the jeep dealership read the code and informed us that we needed to replace the PTU power transfer case. They said that it can be dangerous if completely going out because it can cause sudden loss of power. Afaulty power transfer unit (PTU) is dangerous in a Jeep because it can cause a sudden loss of drive power, increase the risk of a crash, or lead to a rollaway incident when the vehicle is parked. Jeep has issued multiple recalls for PTU-related issues, particularly for some Cherokee models, due to potential manufacturing defects that can lead to transmission failure however the year of my jeep is not included but it is the same issue that is currently recalled. I was also told that the PTU is on backorder because of the recall. It is on backorder for longer than 45 days. Why isn’t my Jeep included in the recall?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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