NHTSA // CRASH-TESTED
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Safety Ratings
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee scores 70 out of 100 on the NHTSA Safety Index (Average), with a 5-star overall NHTSA crash rating, 12 recalls, and 396 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee presents a mixed safety profile. Its strong crash-test scores are notable, yet these are counterbalanced by a weak defect record score. This model year has been subject to 12 recall campaigns. Overall, the vehicle earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 70/100, placing it in the Average band, indicating that safety outcomes are genuinely mixed rather than straightforwardly reassuring.
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee holds a NHTSA Safety Index of 70 out of 100 and an NHTSA overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars, based on federal NHTSA data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
Among the 118 SUVs from 2021 that NHTSA has crash-tested, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee ranks 108 for overall NHTSA Safety Index.
- urban drivers exposed to side-impact risk
| NHTSA Safety Index | 70 / 100 (Average) |
|---|---|
| Overall crash rating | 5 of 5 stars |
| Frontal / Side / Rollover | 4 / 5 / 4 stars |
| Rollover risk | 16.9% |
| Recalls on file | 12 |
| Owner complaints | 396 (unverified allegations) |
| Class rank | 108 of 118 SUVs tested for 2021 |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The 2021 model year presents a cautionary narrative within its safety data. Its NHTSA Safety Index registered 70 out of 100, a nine-point decline from the 2020 model's 79. While both scores remain in the Average band, this drop indicates a significant worsening of the defect record. The defect record sub-score, a low 2.5 out of 20, is the primary factor pulling the index down, stemming from 12 recall campaigns for this generation. Crash protection for the 2021 model is robust, earning 61 out of 70 points. This strength is supported by a 5-star overall NHTSA rating and perfect performance in side-impact testing. Avoidance technology scored 6 out of 10; its potential was limited because forward collision warning and lane departure warning are optional, though electronic stability control is standard. The 12 recall campaigns for the 2021 model are diverse and impact critical systems. These include safety-related chassis components such as the upper ball joint and rear coil springs. There are also two separate recalls addressing backup camera or display functionality, and one concerning the steering column assembly. The 396 owner complaints reported for this model year lend weight to the steering column recall; steering-related allegations are the second most common complaint, behind only electrical issues.
NCAP // CRASH TESTHow did the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee perform in crash tests?
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee earned a 5 out of 5 star overall safety rating from NHTSA. Its side impact protection was a standout, achieving a perfect 5-star rating. Frontal crash protection was rated at 4 out of 5 stars. The Grand Cherokee's rollover risk was assessed at 17 percent, with the dynamic tip test resulting in "No Tip," contributing to its 4 out of 5 star rollover rating.
Source: NHTSA NCAP, VehicleId 15501
Index breakdown
NCAP // CRASH IMAGESCrash-test images
Crash-test images are US federal government works (NHTSA / NCAP), public domain.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes, 12 recall campaigns cover this model year. Notable components include the upper front control arm ball joint, rear coil springs, steering column, and two separate backup camera or rear display function issues, one of which carries an over-the-air software fix. No park-outside or do-not-drive directive is confirmed in the data provided, but the ball joint and steering column campaigns warrant prompt attention.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA24V436000
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.
Reported 2024-06-13
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT24V132000
Risk: A loss of vehicle control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper control arm pinch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 2, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 10B.
Reported 2024-02-22
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION23V577000
Risk: A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the Central Vision Park Assist Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 56A.
Reported 2023-08-14
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS23V413000
Risk: Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, repair the rear coil spring assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 64A. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall 26V051. All vehicles will need to have the new recall remedy performed.
Reported 2023-06-08
STEERING:COLUMN23V352000
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the intermediate shaft and assembly parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 58A.
Reported 2023-05-18
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS22V544000
Risk: A tail light side marker that does not illuminate can reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both body-mounted tail light assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 8, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z50.
Reported 2022-07-28
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)22V284000
Risk: An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.
Reported 2022-04-28
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE TETHER ANCHOR22V180000
Risk: A missing weld may allow the child seat tether to separate from the seat frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat back frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Z24.
Reported 2022-03-24
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:LIGHTING CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE21V950000
Risk: Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the SLM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y72.
Reported 2021-12-09
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE21V873000
Risk: Disabled air bags can increase the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ORC, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y79.
Reported 2021-11-10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS21V797000
Risk: Difficulty activating the headlight high beams may result in reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y66.
Reported 2021-10-14
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES21V729000
Risk: A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA US LLC will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y67.
Reported 2021-09-21
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
NHTSA has logged 396 unverified owner allegations for this model year. The most frequently reported components are the Electrical System with 113 alleged complaints, Steering with 102, and Engine with 60. These are unverified consumer reports, not established defects, but the volume and concentration in steering align with an active recall campaign.
396 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The 2021 Grand Cherokee carries an extensive recall burden; 12 separate recall campaigns have been issued. Any shopper considering a used model should run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup before purchase to confirm which of these have been remedied and which remain open. Unresolved recalls transfer with the vehicle and become the buyer's responsibility to complete.
- The Safety Index dropped nine points from the 2020 model year to 70 out of 100 for 2021, driven primarily by a defect record sub-score of only 2.5 out of 20 reflecting 12 recall campaigns.
- A 2024 recall covers the upper front control arm ball joint on 2021-2023 Grand Cherokee L vehicles, a structural suspension component that directly affects vehicle control.
- Two separate backup camera or rear display function recalls affect this model year, one issued in 2023 and one in 2024 with an over-the-air remedy, meaning remedy completion status varies by individual vehicle.
- Forward collision warning and lane departure warning are listed as optional equipment for this model year, so avoidance-technology capability varies depending on how the specific vehicle was originally configured.
RANKINGSWhere the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee places
The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee safety questions
Was the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee crash-tested by NHTSA?
Yes. NHTSA crash-tested the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and it earns a NHTSA Safety Index of 70 out of 100, placing it in the Average band. The index combines federal crash-test stars, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the recall record.
What are the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee crash-test star ratings?
In NHTSA testing the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee earned 5 out of 5 stars for overall, 4 out of 5 stars for frontal, 5 out of 5 stars for side, and 4 out of 5 stars for rollover. Its measured rollover risk is 16.9%. Categories NHTSA did not test show as not rated.
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 12 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 396 owner complaints are on file for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash or a fire.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
Other Grand Cherokee years
Rivals in SUV (2021)
| Vehicle | NHTSA Safety Index | Overall stars | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Tesla Model X 5-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 6-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Tesla Model X 7-Seat | 98/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Nissan Murano | 96/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Audi Q5 Sportback | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 0 |
| 2021 Mazda CX-3 | 95/100 | 5 of 5 | 1 |
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: New Car Assessment Program crash tests (VehicleId 15501), the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Jeep Grand Cherokee 2021.
- SCORE The NHTSA Safety Index (0-100) weights crash protection, standard crash-avoidance tech, and the defect record. Full formula on the methodology page. It ranks 108 of 118 in the SUV class for 2021.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.