2021 Jeep Cherokee power train problems
79 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee — 54% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“PTU failure at 62000 miles. There is a recall for the exact issue on the exact part for 2019 to 2025 Jeep Cherokees but this one, as well as several thousand others, somehow do not fall under this recall. Why? From what the dealer told us this is a “critical safety issue that could result in…”
filed Aug 4, 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The…”
filed Aug 4, 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while merging onto a two-lane highway, there was an abnormal banging sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle lost motive power but was driven in LIMP Mode to the nearest dealer. Prior to the failure, the contact…”
filed Aug 3, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- Power transfer unit (PTU) may failCampaign 26V290000 · May 7, 2026
- Transmission oil cooler hose may have been incorrectly cured, allowing transmission fluid…Campaign 21V310000 · May 4, 2021
Power Train problems in other Cherokee years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Cherokee | 24 | 51% |
| 2020 Cherokee | 152 | 56% |
| 2019 Cherokee | 770 | 48% |
| 2018 Cherokee | 290 | 43% |
| 2017 Cherokee | 641 | 48% |
| 2016 Cherokee | 626 | 45% |
| 2015 Cherokee | 998 | 56% |
| 2014 Cherokee | 1,463 | 55% |
| 2001 Cherokee | 24 | 10% |
| 2000 Cherokee | 29 | 8% |
| 1999 Cherokee | 53 | 14% |
| 1998 Cherokee | 65 | 16% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.