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2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee: complete transmission failure

8 of the 413 complaints about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee describe complete transmission failure.

owner complaints
8
of this car's complaints
2%
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 93 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Complete transmission failure by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 29, 2026 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended and the vehicle jerked abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the failure was not duplicated. The failure was a persistent failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that there were metal shavings inside the oil pan. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was being repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.

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 Sep 8, 2026 · Airbags, Transmission · 42,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the vehicle jumped. The contact stated that while driving 8–9 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle. In addition, the air bag warning light was illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The failure was not duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure reoccurred. In addition, the contact stated that the transmission was replaced in 2025. The contact was informed that the air bag was not covered under unknown recall. The failure mileage was approximately 42,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed May 20, 2026 · NE

I’ve had to replace a total of two times my transmission, including the heater cooler, condenser antifreeze, coolant equipment The radiator tire rods. I have a document multiple documents that will show everything that has been done to my car because of all these malfunctioning parts inside of the car I’ve asked myself so many times why is my car not on recall two transmissions in less than five years it’s not normal. The First transmission was replaced before 10,000 miles and my car doesn’t even happy at 40,000 miles.

Filed Nov 19, 2025 · Transmission · WA

Transmission failure at 19,481 miles in my 2021Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited 4x4 V6. The vehicle has not been abused, and the mileage is low for its age. The symptoms—erratic shifting, limp mode, and “Service Transmission” warnings— are consistent with a known defect pattern affecting multiple FCA vehicles using the same transmission.

Filed Jun 13, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · NJ

Vehicle shifts from park to drive jumping gears ,making loud noises, Accelerating by its self and jumps aggressively into gear. Transmission is slipping, late engagement when shifting, and shifting rough. sometimes it will low rpm. Rpm is going up and down. Making total transmission failure and transfer case failure. Melting the hot and cold lines. Mechanic found aluminum melted and oil burn. Rpms fluctuate and gets hung up during shifting while driving.

Filed Feb 12, 2025 · Transmission · OH

I drove my car out of my garage on the way to work and just outside my house, the transmission bucked when shifting from 3rd to 4th gear and the p0733 code appeared. I turned around and went home and took another car to work. I had previously taken my jeep with ~85,000 miles to my local dealer wanting the 4 wheel drive and transmission service as I do with all of my cars. It was driving fine, but seemed like the gas mileage was decreasing a bit which I shrugged off. The dealer informed me that the transmission wasn't serviceable. I thought this was odd, but they did the 4 wheel drive service and said everything was good. When I got the error code, I called my local independent transmission shop who said they could look at it in 2 days, so I didin't drive it until the ~10 minute drive to drop it off. They called the next day and said the transmission was done- burnt fluid and bits of clutch in the fluid. They couldn't even find a rebuilt trasmission because according to them so many are failing. They quoted me $8700 for a new transmission from Jeep which I begrudgingly agreed to because what else could I do? I've had one car's transmission fail (Jeep Wrangler but it had 220,000 miles and was 15 years old so I could accept it. The shop received the new transmission from Jeep and then called me saying the valve body was bad, it would not communicate with the car. They went through warranty struggles with Jeep who after another week finally sent another valve body, which also did not work. Finally, they figured out they were sending unprogrammed valve bodies with the transmission and the car needed to be towed to the dealer to program...more $$$. So, after a3+ weeks I finally got my car back today. I've looked online and wondered what I could have done- there are so many similar examples out there of similar experiences, Wrangler transmissions failing with low miles; it's unforgivable that Jeep says the transmission can't be serviced!

Filed Nov 4, 2022 · Transmission · TN

While in gear if would not go. Within the first 5,000 miles it was in the shop twice and had to have a new transmission installed. Drove it for another 5-6k miles and same thing happened again and dealership is saying it will need another transmission.

Questions about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee transmission failure

Is complete transmission failure a common problem on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

8 of 413 owner complaints about the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee (2%) mention complete transmission failure. The model year with the most reports is 2014.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

There are 0 recalls and 93 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Fuel pump 26Power steering loss 26Check engine light 25Lane assist 21Stalling 21Headlights 20Loss of power 19Won't start 15Sunroof shattered 12Fire or smoke 11Jerking 11Adaptive cruise 10Start-stop 10No deployment 9Overheating 9Warning lights 9Won't shift 8Engine failure 7Misfire 7Ball joint 6Collision warning 6Hesitation 6Backup camera 5Knocking 5

All model years of the Jeep Grand Cherokee

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