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2021 Jeep Cherokee Electrical Problems

14 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

14
Complaints
1
Crashes
1
Fires
Jan 2024Dec 2022
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (14)

criticalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Mar 2026

Your 2021 Jeep Cherokee is experiencing sudden, unexpected braking while driving at highway speeds with no warning, creating an immediate risk of being rear-ended. Diagnostic scans reveal multiple critical computer failures including loss of communication with the brake control module and engine computer errors. The vehicle is also showing symptoms of engine problems—loud fans, fluctuating RPMs, black soot from the tailpipe, and rough sputtering—along with excessive fuel consumption. Fixing this will likely require replacing the brake control module, engine computer, and related wiring to restore proper communication between the vehicle's systems.

NHTSA #: 11726675
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Mar 2026

Your radio display went black and showed a "Re-insert USB" message, making the radio unusable. When this happened, your rear-view camera, AC/heat controls, and other safety features also stopped working. The dealer found that your radio unit needs to be replaced, but the manufacturer has stopped making this part, so a replacement isn't available through normal channels.

NHTSA #: 11726699
highELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2025

Your vehicle lost all power while being driven, with multiple warning lights appearing on the dashboard and the hazard lights not working. Your wife was able to coast safely to the side of the road. The dealer found that the battery had failed and replaced it, even though the battery warning light hadn't come on before the failure occurred.

NHTSA #: 11702681
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

The owner reported issues affecting the electrical system, service brakes, and engine, though no crash or fire occurred.

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NHTSA #: 11695339
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: Sep 2025

SVC 4WD

NHTSA #: 11687250
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Filed: May 2024

There are times I go to start my car and it has nothing. No lights no door dinging nothing. I started it up on day to go to work and got to the gas station and shut it down to run in quick. Came out 5 mins later and it acted as if someone took my battery out. The car was totally dead. After about 10-15 mins it lit back up and was able to start. Another time it happened in the dead of winter and I was picking my son up. We went to get in the car and all 4 doors were opened. No lights came on and wouldn’t start and as my kids shut doors it would flicker. Times it comes back to life and as soon as you hit the start button it goes black again. It’s been at Tristar and c Harper both and cannot replicate so no fix. I’m afraid it’s going to catch fire or something one day. In the shops for a month and a half total and no results. It’s very intermittent so does not do it all the time. Sometimes it will go a month and be fine then act up 3 times in one week. Please help! I don’t feel safe!

NHTSA #: 11590968
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FireFiled: Apr 2024

The Jeep caught fire underneath while I was driving on the highway. There were no warning lamps or symptoms of the problem prior to failure. I saw flames come up over the front of the car and immediately parked and ran with my child. We could have died.The fire and stopped car in the middle of the highway could have caused a pile up of crashes. It is unknown what component or system failed and I don't believe it is available for inspection as State Farm decided not to move forward with inspection. They declared it a total loss.

NHTSA #: 11580917
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2024

ON 5 JANUARY 2024 THE VEHICLE WAS IN MY GARAGE AND WAS DEAD, TRIED TO JUMP START, STILL WOULD NOT START. CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE, VEHICLE GOT TO DEALER AND THEY USED THEIR JUMP START SYSTEM. DEALER RAN SYSTEM TEST AND CHARGED BATTERY AND FOUND NO FAULTS. OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS CHARHING RATE WAS 14.4V FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN DROPPED TO 13.6V AND EVENTUALLY DROPPED TO 12.3V BUT THEN WOULD JUMP BETWEEN 12.3V AND 13.6V. ON 25 JANUARY VEHICLE AGAIN DEAD, WILL NOT JUMP START, ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AGAIN. AT DEALER NOW, 26 JANUARY SO DEAD KEY FOB WOULD NOT UNLOCK DOOR. DEALER STATES THIS HAS BEEN AM ONGOING COMMON ISSUE WITH THE MODELS THAT USE THE AGM BATTERIES. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 17,000 MILES,

NHTSA #: 11567952
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: May 2023

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle turned off unintendedly. The contact was able to veer to the side of the roadway. The contact restarted the vehicle and continued driving. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while at a complete stop. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continue driving. The contact also stated that the low oil pressure warning light was illuminated intermittently while driving. An unknown dealer was notified of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a service station. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 134,000.

NHTSA #: 11519922
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2022

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the contact felt that the vehicle had lost motive power. The contact stated that there was a message to “Park and Restart the vehicle”. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that a software update was needed. The software was updated. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 41,100.

NHTSA #: 11497610
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Filed: Aug 2022

The vehicles automatic off switch does not turn back on when you release the break. It gives an error message saying the option is unavailable. I have to turn. The vehicle off and turn it back on. The vehicle has less than 37000 miles on it and was bought brand new.

NHTSA #: 11478272
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Filed: Jun 2022

While driving, forward collision alarm came out, slowly more problem arose, power steering became unavailable, airbags red warning came up, engine caution light came up, transmission wouldn't shift to proper gear, ESP also failed.

NHTSA #: 11467702
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
CrashFiled: Mar 2021

WE WERE IN A FRONT IMPACT VEHICLE ACCIDENT. AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY, BRAKES FAILED AFTER IMPACT AND THE ENGINE DIDN'T SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO DISCONNECT THE ECU POWER RELAY FOR THE ENGINE TO STOP.

NHTSA #: 11402644
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2021

I WAS DRIVING IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA (40 MPH) WHEN MY CAR SUDDENLY JOLTED AS IF I HAD SUDDENLY STEPPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THEN THE GAS PEDAL. I STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT, AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED. THE ENGINE AND BATTERY LIGHT WERE ON, THE SEAT/STEERING WHEEL WARMER, AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE MONITOR KEPT SAYING TO STEP ON THE BRAKE/START THE CAR, I ATTEMPTED TO DO THIS AND NOTHING. I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN TRIED TO TURN IT ON AGAIN MULTIPLE TIMES AND NOTHING. THANKFULLY, MULTIPLE PEOPLE STOPPED TO PUSH ME OFF INTO A PARKING LOT, BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE STARTED BEEPING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE WHATSOEVER. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS, THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, I WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA #: 11396202

Other 2021 Jeep Cherokee Issues