2021 Jeep Cherokee Transmission & Power Train Problems
NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How power train ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 137 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee overview page.
What owners report
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11705902 — filed 12/18/2025
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11701952 — filed 11/28/2025
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11698499 — filed 11/10/2025
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power Train complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have transmission & power train problems?
Power Train is the most-reported problem area on the 2021 Jeep Cherokee: 69 of 137 complaints on file (50.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 2021 Jeep Cherokee have in total?
137 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 10 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 7 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's power train category include?
NHTSA groups complaints about the transmission (automatic or manual), driveline, axles, transfer case and related parts under a single component category called POWER TRAIN. This page reports that category as NHTSA defines it.
