2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Oct 12, 2026 · Electrical, Fuel system · PA

Vehicle: 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland, 3.6L V6 Incident Date: [XXX] Location: [XXX] Safety Complaint: On [XXX], while driving my 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland on [XXX], the vehicle suddenly lost accelerator response while traveling on the highway. The engine initially remained running, but pressing the accelerator pedal produced no response. Multiple warning indicators illuminated simultaneously, including the electronic throttle control, ABS, traction control, airbag, and four-wheel-drive systems. The vehicle also exhibited unusual electrical behavior, including unexpected activation of the high-beam headlights. The vehicle subsequently became completely inoperable and would no longer crank or start. The sudden loss of propulsion while traveling in highway traffic created a serious safety hazard and placed me at risk of a collision. This incident follows an extensive history of significant mechanical failures and repairs to this vehicle, including: Replacement of the cylinder head following repeated overheating and engine misfires. Complete transmission replacement following transmission-related failures. Replacement of the radiator and cooling fan assembly TWICE within approximately one year, most recently during a trip to North Carolina. Additional mechanical concerns, including a camshaft-related diagnostic trouble code. Despite these major component replacements, the vehicle continues to experience serious reliability and operational failures. These repeated problems have occurred despite attempts to address them through dealership repairs and manufacturer warranty assistance. Stellantis previously extended the vehicle's warranty as a goodwill gesture following earlier issues. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 26, 2026 · Lights · OH

I was driving back from the airport and as it began to get dark, it became apparent I had no headlights. I somehow managed to drive the last two hours home on parking lights and lights from other vehicles.I took it to a Chrysler Jeep dealership Goldies in Huntington, West Virginia. The exam that I put a bulb in the driver side. In the passenger side, the LED portion is still glowing, but is yellow green and they told me it would require a headline assembly which would call somewhere between 1500 and $2000. The bulb alone was just over $500. They told me that the filaments had cracked in the bulb despite no apparent damage to the vehicle. I owned an accurate T from 2008 to 2021 I and it never required new bulbs. I actually don’t do much nighttime driving so they could not have many hours on the lights. I don’t know what but something is wrong here.

Filed Apr 6, 2026 · Lights, Transmission · 50,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and attempting to overtake another vehicle. The RPM was extremely elevated; however, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. The contact pulled over to the shoulder of the roadway and restarted the vehicle before resuming normal driving. The contact became aware that, when shifting between automatic and manual driving modes, the vehicle operated normally without hesitating. The vehicle was taken to several dealers on several occasions; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or determine the cause of the failure. In addition, the headlights occasionally shut off unexpectedly while driving at night. The contact would pull over and wait for the headlights to return before resuming normal driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls associated with the VIN for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Mar 9, 2026 · Lights · 70,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the headlight switch set to the Automatic Off/On position, the headlights blinked continuously, the bulb became red, and then the headlights became inoperable. While the headlight switch was in the on position, the headlights operated as designed. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V950000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2026 · Lights · TX

Car has 28k miles. It is driven by a [XX] year old. It is a Jeep GC Summit which is top of the line for Jeep. Both headlights were blown and the dash warning system never alerted that the lights were out. Car is equipped with the headlight monitoring system. She never drives at night so I cannot give you an exact date but we think it has been out since 2024 which is the last Texas inspection it had and passed. Contacted Jeep Wave with concern and was blown off and sent to a VM which was never returned. You have a recall for the Laredo and Overland models but not the Summit. The DRL lights thankfully are bright but you still need headlights. Car has been set to auto for headlights due to her age. I am hoping you give this a serious look. I posted on Facebook and other people are having the same issues with the Summits. You have no headlights and nothing saying they are out. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 1, 2025 · Lights · FL

The high beam lights are not working. Dealer said the shutter door internal to headlamp assemblies are unresponsive. BOTH headlamps went out at the same time. Dealer said they haven't seen any issues before with the high beams.

Filed Jul 23, 2025 · Electrical · 47,100 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and turned off, the headlights flashed off and on and the horn activated. The contact stated that eventually the vehicle failed to start and was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that Body Control Module (BCM) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 47,100.

Filed Mar 5, 2025 · Lights · 77,000 miles · OK

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that the low beam headlights were inoperable. The contact attempted to set the headlight knob from automatic to manual however, the low beam headlights failed to function as needed. The contact stated that the high beam headlights and running lights operated as designed. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who checked the fuse box and determined that the fuses for the lighting system were functioning as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V950000 (Exterior Lighting); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

Filed Dec 26, 2024 · Lights · AZ

When the lights are set on Auto mode the high beams feature will not work. You push the steering column cluster switch forward to turn on high beams and it kicks it back immediately and will not turn on high beams. This is a huge safety issue. We've had to drive through wooded areas at night with elk and deer on the roads and almost been hit. Jeep needs to recall this and modify to allow high beam while using the Auto headlight setting.

Filed Nov 5, 2024 · Lights · SC

High beams will not activate while car is in "Auto Headlamp" mode. If you toggle the high beam stalk nothing happens. I have to physically hold the high beam stalk down for the lamps to work while in "auto" mode. If I want to use the high beams without holding the stalk down I have to switch the Headlamps to the "on" position using the headlamp control switch. Using my hand to hold down the stalk in order to access my high beams is a huge safety hazard requiring me to have only one hand on the steering wheel. Switching the headlamp mode to auto to access my high beams is more hazardous as I have to take my eyes off the road to find the control switch. There is no "automatic high beam" mode available through my vehicles on board options. This has been an issue since I purchased the vehicle new. Unfortunately weighing my options I an unable to use the high beams because it is too much of a hassle to do so. I thought this issue was recalled but after speaking with Jeep and my dealership I was told otherwise.

Filed Aug 13, 2024 · Lights · NY

My low beam headlight has blown for the second time now since owning the car. THIS IS NOT NORMAL!!! There clearly must be some electrical issue and I’m past the warranty. Headlights don’t blow like that. I’ve owned cars for over 6 years and never had a headlight blow.

Filed Jun 13, 2023 · Lights · VA

PER THE INFORMATION I CAN FIND - THE PREVIOUS RECALL # IS "21V797000" - I took my Jeep GC L in for the recall per the campaign and the work was complete yet it was not corrected. I have been back to the dealer 3 separate times no one can provide an update as to why this issue is not able to be corrected. I still cannot turn my high beams on without having to move the headlights to the 'on position.' Per the info available on the previous recall, "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."