2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Model data compiled from public NHTSA records; may be incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date. General information, not professional advice — see Terms.
One honest thing before you start
We're car-data nerds, not mechanics. This checklist is general information — not professional advice — built from real recall records and thousands of owner complaints to make you a sharper shopper. Think of it as triage, not a diagnosis.
Before any money moves, get an independent inspection from a qualified mechanic (typically $100–$250). Our data comes from public sources and may be incomplete, inaccurate, or out of date — no checklist catches everything.
So here's the deal: use this to decide whether a car is worth that inspection. You're evaluating and buying the car entirely at your own risk — we're not liable for anything this checklist misses, anything it gets wrong, or any loss resulting from your purchase decision. Fair?
Known issues for the 2021 Grand Cherokee
5
Electrical System complaints Red flag
Test all electronics — lights, windows, infotainment, and driver aids — and confirm no warning lights stay on. (114 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 114 NHTSA complaints
Steering complaints Red flag
Check for looseness, pulling, or unusual noise in the steering at low and highway speeds. (102 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 102 NHTSA complaints
Engine complaints Red flag
Watch the temperature gauge and warning lights on a long test drive, and look for leaks under the engine. (60 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 60 NHTSA complaints
Power Train complaints Check
Note any hesitation, harsh shifting, or slipping during city and highway driving. (58 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 58 NHTSA complaints
Exterior Lighting complaints Red flag
Test wipers, washers, headlights, and all exterior lights, including the backup camera if equipped. (42 complaints filed for this model-year.)
based on 42 NHTSA complaints
Verify on NHTSA → · How we get our data →
32 additional complaints were filed without a specific component.
Open recalls
12
Exterior Lighting Check
Difficulty activating the headlight high beams may result in reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior Lighting Check
Inoperable headlights can reduce visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.
Visibility Check
A rearview camera that does not display an image reduces the driver's rear view, increasing the risk of a crash.
Air Bags Red flag
Disabled air bags can increase the risk of injury to occupants in a crash.
Child Seat Red flag
A missing weld may allow the child seat tether to separate from the seat frame during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Engine and Engine Cooling Red flag
An unexpected loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Exterior Lighting Check
A tail light side marker that does not illuminate can reduce vehicle visibility to other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension Red flag
Rear coil springs that detach from the vehicle while driving increases the risk of a crash.
Back Over Prevention Red flag
A rearview image that does not display while in reverse decreases the driver's visibility of the rear view, increasing the risk of injury or crash.
Back Over Prevention Check
A rearview camera image that does not display decreases the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 31-point checklist
31
0 / 31 checked · 0 red flags ·
Before you go
We may earn a commission — it keeps the checklist free.
Check the VIN history on EpicVIN
Check it on CarFax (we don't earn from this)
Get an OBD2 scanner DEMO
Paperwork & history
Exterior & wheels
Interior & electronics
Under the hood
Test drive (15+ min, city + highway)
This tells you whether the car deserves a pro inspection (typically $100–$250) — it's not the inspection.
2021 Grand Cherokee–specific issues
Your verdict
Keep inspecting — you're under halfway. The red-flag items matter most.
No red flags? Nice. A pro's eyes on it before your money moves is still the play.
Two red flags just saved you the inspection fee. Plenty more cars out there.
We may earn a commission — it keeps the checklist free.
Frequently asked questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
NHTSA lists 12 recalls for the 2021 Grand Cherokee. The most serious involve Air Bags (21V873000) and Child Seat (22V180000). Ask the seller for proof each recall was completed.
What are the most common complaints about the 2021 Grand Cherokee?
The top complaint areas are Electrical System (114 complaints) and Steering (102 complaints), out of 403 total complaints.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Grand Cherokee?
Run through the full inspection checklist below, verify any open recalls were completed, and get an independent pre-purchase inspection. Pay special attention to Electrical System, which drew 114 complaints for this model-year.