2021 Jeep Cherokee power train problems
93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee — 57% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Vehicle is a 2021 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Lux equipped with a 1-speed Power Transfer Unit (PTU) / Active Drive I system. The vehicle experienced an abrupt failure of the AWD system, triggering an immediate "Service 4WD" warning light on the dashboard. Dealership diagnostics confirmed trouble code…”
filed Sep 16, 2026
“The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The "4WD" warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was started but failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was able to shift into reverse and was pulled over to the side of the road. The…”
filed Sep 16, 2026
“While on a XXX road trip through [XXX] with my son, my Jeep was initially operating normally. We were leaving a hiking site when the Jeep gears would not engage. Soon the engine roared and popped into gear however it would not go over 30 mph and the engine went from idling to roaring with rpms going up to 8,000. We…”
filed Sep 16, 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 | 27 | 54% |
| 2020 Cherokee | 170 | 57% |
| 2019 Cherokee | 801 | 49% |
| 2018 Cherokee | 292 | 43% |
| 2017 Cherokee | 646 | 48% |
| 2016 Cherokee | 629 | 45% |
| 2015 Cherokee | 1,002 | 56% |
| 2014 Cherokee | 1,468 | 56% |
| 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.