2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee MPG
Across its 8 EPA-rated versions, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee returns 11–19 mpg city, 17–26 highway and 13–21 combined.
The most efficient pairs the 3.6-liter 6-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, at 21 mpg combined. The thirstiest version uses the 6.2-liter supercharged 8-cylinder engine with an automatic transmission and all-wheel drive and is rated 13 mpg combined. That matches the best gasoline version of the 2020 model.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Cherokee 2WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular · 414 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular · 427 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee L 2WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 21 | Regular · 416 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee L 4WD | 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 25 | 21 | Regular · 428 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 22 | 17 | Midgrade · 533 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee L 4WD | 5.7 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 22 | 17 | Midgrade · 533 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee SRT 4WD | 6.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Premium · 592 g CO₂/mi |
| Grand Cherokee Trackhawk 4WD | 6.2 L 8-cyl supercharged | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 11 | 17 | 13 | Premium · 664 g CO₂/mi |
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee fuel cost per year
Driving 15,000 miles a year on regular gasoline at the September 2026 U.S. average of $4.36 a gallon, the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee costs about $3,110 a year to fuel in its most efficient form (21 mpg combined), or roughly 21 cents a mile.
This is an estimate from EPA combined mpg and the EIA national average price; your cost depends on how and where you drive and on local prices.
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee specs
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee buyers could choose between 4 engines, according to EPA records: 3.6 L 6-cyl, 5.7 L 8-cyl, 6.2 L 8-cyl supercharged and 6.4 L 8-cyl. It came with an automatic transmission, in all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive versions. The EPA classes it as a standard sport utility vehicle.
| Engine size (L) | Cylinders | Transmissions | Drive | Versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6 L | 6 | Automatic 8-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive; All-Wheel Drive | 4 |
| 5.7 L | 8 | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 2 |
| 6.2 L supercharged | 8 | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
| 6.4 L | 8 | Automatic 8-spd | All-Wheel Drive | 1 |
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems
Owners have filed 501 complaints about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee with NHTSA, the U.S. vehicle-safety agency, as of October 2026.
Electrical system is the most-reported area (17% of component mentions), followed by steering (14%) and power train (9%).
Spread over its time on sale, that is 83 complaints a year: more than the 2020 (34 a year) and fewer than the 2022 (96 a year).
That ranks 9th of 17 Jeep Grand Cherokee model years (2008–2024), counting from the most complaints per year.
Of the 501, 24 mention a crash, 9 a fire and 14 an injury.
| Component | Mentions | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 143 | 17% |
| Steering | 120 | 14% |
| Power train | 74 | 9% |
| Unknown or other | 71 | 8% |
| Engine | 69 | 8% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 52 | 6% |
| Exterior lighting | 48 | 6% |
| Suspension | 44 | 5% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 42 | 5% |
| Lane departure | 41 | 5% |
| Service brakes | 34 | 4% |
| Air bags | 23 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 20 | 2% |
| Seats | 11 | 1% |
| Seat belts | 9 | 1% |
| Wheels | 8 | <1% |
| Back over prevention | 6 | <1% |
| Structure | 6 | <1% |
| Visibility/wiper | 6 | <1% |
| Hydraulic service brakes | 3 | <1% |
| Visibility | 3 | <1% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 2 | <1% |
| Child seat | 1 | <1% |
| Gasoline fuel system | 1 | <1% |
| Air service brakes | 1 | <1% |
| Tires | 1 | <1% |
What owners told NHTSA
My 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Overland has experienced repeated and escalating safety‑related failures involving the electrical system, telematics/SOS functions, powertrain components, and suspension. These failures have continued despite major warranty repairs and now pose a significant safety risk. …
Driver side wheel came off steering control arm and laid to the outside of wheel week while pulling out of business parking lot onto busy 4 lane highway. …
While driving on a public road with my two small children my Jeep suffered a sudden and catastrophic 100% total electrical blackout. …
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee recalls
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The most recent, campaign 26V562000 from September 2026, concerns suspension.
Back over prevention accounts for 4 of the 16 campaigns, more than any other area.
21V950000 · December 9, 2021 · Exterior lighting
Problem: An incomplete SLM software update may cause one or both headlights to become inoperable. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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.
21V873000 · November 10, 2021 · Air bags
Problem: The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may have incorrect software which can disable the driver, passenger, and knee air bags without warning.
Risk: Disabled air bags can increase the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ORC, free of charge.
21V797000 · October 14, 2021 · Exterior lighting
Problem: When the master lighting switch is set to the auto position, the high beam headlights will not activate unless the master lighting switch is first changed to the 'on" position. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
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.
21V729000 · September 21, 2021 · Back over prevention, Visibility
Problem: A radio software error may prevent the rearview image from displaying. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
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.
| Campaign | Reported | Component | Grand Cherokee years covered |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V562000 | September 1, 2026 | Suspension | 2021–2023 |
| 26V051000 | January 29, 2026 | Suspension | 2021–2023 |
| 25V083000 | February 13, 2025 | Equipment, Back over prevention | 2021–2022 |
| 24V897000 | November 27, 2024 | Air bags | 2021–2024 |
| 24V436000 | June 13, 2024 | Back over prevention | 2021–2023 |
| 24V132000 | February 22, 2024 | Suspension, Steering | 2021–2023 |
| 23V577000 | August 14, 2023 | Back over prevention | 2021–2023 |
| 23V413000 | June 8, 2023 | Suspension | 2021–2023 |
| 23V352000 | May 18, 2023 | Steering | 2021–2023 |
| 22V544000 | July 28, 2022 | Exterior lighting | 2021–2022 |
| 22V284000 | April 28, 2022 | Engine and engine cooling | 2021–2022 |
| 22V180000 | March 24, 2022 | Seats, Child seat | 2021–2022 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA crash-tested 2 versions of the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee; the best overall score is 5 out of 5 stars.
The SUV 2WD version scored 4 stars overall.
| Version tested | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Crash-test photos: NHTSA (public domain). NHTSA can reuse a test for later model years of the same design.
Compared with other years
Complaints per year on sale divide each model year's NHTSA complaints by the years since it went on sale, so older and newer Jeep Grand Cherokees can be compared fairly. Among other 2021 models in the EPA's standard sport utility vehicle class, the 2021 Ford Explorer (24 mpg) comes closest on combined fuel economy.
| Year | Best mpg | Complaints | Per year on sale | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 25 | 855 | 94 | 11 |
| 2019 | 24 | 370 | 46 | 7 |
| 2020 | 21 | 241 | 34 | 3 |
| 2021 | 21 | 501 | 83 | 16 |
| 2022 | 23 | 489 | 96 | 24 |
| 2023 | 23 | 594 | 146 | 23 |
| 2024 | 23 | 314 | 102 | 18 |
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee model year compared →
Similar 2021 models
FAQ
Is the 2021 Grand Cherokee a good car?
We don't rate cars, but the official data gives a picture. The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 83 NHTSA complaints per year on sale (9th most of 17 model years), 16 recall campaigns, a best overall crash rating of 5 stars and up to 21 mpg combined from the EPA.
What are common 2021 Grand Cherokee problems?
The components owners report most to NHTSA are electrical system (143), steering (120) and power train (74). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many recalls does the 2021 Grand Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 16 recall campaigns. To see whether a recall is still open on a specific car, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Grand Cherokee get?
The EPA rates the versions at 13–21 mpg combined (11–19 city, 17–26 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Grand Cherokee per year?
About $3,110 a year for 15,000 miles in its most efficient form, using EPA mpg and the September 2026 U.S. average regular gasoline price of $4.36 a gallon (EIA).