2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee maintenance schedule

The 2021 Grand Cherokee is part of the WK2 generation (2014-2021), sold as an SUV. Below: its service intervals with the source behind each one, the fluids it takes, the problems owners report for this year, and the NHTSA recalls issued for it.

Service schedule

What the 2021 Grand Cherokee needs, and when

5 of these 12 items come from Jeep's own published schedule. Manufacturer rows link to Jeep's own schedule, Independent rows to a service shop or parts retailer's published guide. Rows marked Unverified have no source Carlyle could confirm and are shown for completeness.

ServiceIntervalSource
Engine oil and filter

Severe duty 4,000-5,000 miles; 6.4L/6.2L strict 6,000 miles/6 months

10,000 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Engine air filter30,000 mi / 3 yearsIndependent
Cabin air filter20,000 mi / 2 yearsIndependent
Tire rotation

Rotate front-to-back or cross depending on tread type

10,000 mi / 1 yearIndependent
Brake fluid

Test annually, replace bi-annually

2 yearsManufacturer
Engine coolant

OAT coolant formulation

150,000 mi / 10 yearsManufacturer
Transmission fluid

Older models; newer units inspect unless leaking

60,000 miManufacturer
Spark plugs (3.6L, 5.7L)

Long-life iridium plugs

100,000 mi / 10 yearsIndependent
Serpentine belt

Inspect at 60k (approx. 100,000 mi benchmark)

Inspect, replace as neededIndependent
Differential and transfer case fluid (4WD)

Severe duty requires 30k; normal use 60k

30,000 mi / 3 yearsManufacturer
PCV valve

Inspect (approx. 100,000 mi benchmark)

Inspect, replace as neededUnverified
12V battery

Test annually; prone to failure after 3 years in extreme climates

Inspect, replace as neededManufacturer

Intervals are for normal driving; towing, short trips, extreme heat or dust shorten them.

Fluids and engines

What goes in it

Engine oil
0W-20 (3.6L post-2016) / 5W-20 (5.7L) / 0W-40 (6.4L/6.2L)
Coolant
Mopar OAT
Transmission fluid
ZF 8-Speed ATF

Powertrains in this generation

  • 3.6L 6-cyl (3.6L Pentastar V6), 290 hp, 8-speed Auto (ZF), 2WD / 4WD
  • 5.7L 8-cyl (5.7L HEMI V8), 360 hp, 8-speed Auto (ZF), 4WD
  • 3.0L 6-cyl diesel (3.0L EcoDiesel V6), 240 hp, 8-speed Auto (ZF), 4WD
  • 6.4L 8-cyl (6.4L HEMI V8 (SRT)), 475 hp, 8-speed Auto (ZF), 4WD
  • 6.2L 8-cyl (6.2L HEMI V8 SC (Trackhawk)), 707 hp, 8-speed Auto (ZF), 4WD

Confirm the exact spec against the owner's manual or the label under the hood; capacities vary by engine and drivetrain.

Known problems

What 2021 Grand Cherokee owners run into

Problems reported for this model year, with the mileage they tend to show up at. Buying past a window is not automatically a pass - it just needs to be priced in.

Quadra-Lift Air Suspension Failure

high severity

60,000-120,000 mi · $500-$3,000 to fix

Sagging suspension, compressor burnout

Source: avturo.com

Wheel Lug Stud Breakage

low severity

50,000-100,000 mi · $46-$64 to fix

Snapped studs during tire change

Source: repairpal.com

Safety recalls

12 NHTSA recalls for the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

From NHTSA's recall database, matched by model and year. Recall repairs are free at Jeep dealers, and a given car may already be fixed or fall outside a campaign, so check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.

Back over prevention

NHTSA 24V436000

June 2024

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Dodge Durango, 2021-2023 Chrysler Pacifica, Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Ram 1500, 2500, 3500, Chrysler Voyager, 2022-2023 Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer, Grand Wagoneer, and Ram Promaster vehicles. The radio software 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."

Remedy: Dealers will update the radio software or the software will be OTA, "Over-The-Air," free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning July 9, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbers for this recall are 66B and 79B.

Suspension

NHTSA 24V132000

February 2024

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L and 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles. The upper control arm ball joint and steering knuckle may separate and cause the wheel to fall outward, resulting in a loss of vehicle control.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the upper control arm pinch bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 2, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 10B.

Back over prevention

NHTSA 23V577000

August 2023

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, and 2022-2024 Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer vehicles. The Central Vision Park Assist module (CVPAM) software may prevent the rearview image from displaying when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: Dealers will update the Central Vision Park Assist Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 31, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 56A.

Suspension

NHTSA 23V413000

June 2023

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The rear coil springs may have been incorrectly installed and detach from the vehicle while driving.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and if necessary, repair the rear coil spring assemblies, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 29, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 64A. This recall is replaced by NHTSA recall 26V051. All vehicles will need to have the new recall remedy performed.

May 2023

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An incorrectly assembled steering column intermediate shaft may disconnect from the u-joint, and result in a loss of steering control.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the intermediate shaft and assembly parts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 58A.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA 22V544000

July 2022

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The tail light side marker assemblies may be damaged and not illuminate. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamp, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both body-mounted tail light assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 8, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z50.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA 22V284000

April 2022

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee WK, 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with 3.6L engines. The exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve may stick open, resulting in an unexpected loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the EGR valve assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 23, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Z31.

March 2022

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. These vehicles may have been built with a missing weld from the seat back frame to the child seat tether anchorage. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage Systems."

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the second-row seat back frame, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 7, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Z24.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA 21V950000

December 2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles equipped with smart lighting modules (SLM). 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."

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the SLM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 23, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y72.

November 2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L, 2022 Jeep Wagoneer, and Grand Wagoneer vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Controller (ORC) may have incorrect software which can disable the driver, passenger, and knee air bags without warning.

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the ORC, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 2, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y79.

Exterior lighting

NHTSA 21V797000

October 2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles not equipped with automatic high beams. 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."

Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the vehicles, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y66.

Back over prevention

NHTSA 21V729000

September 2021

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. 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."

Remedy: FCA US LLC will update the radio software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on December 28, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US LLC's number for this recall is Y67.

Running costs

What maintenance typically costs

A typical year of maintenance
$634

Typical US independent-shop estimates for this generation; they vary by region and condition.

Other Grand Cherokee model years

WL (2022-2026)

WK2 (2014-2021)

Shopping new? The Jeep Grand Cherokee guide covers the current model, with what it costs to keep for 1 to 15 years.

Sources

Researched 2026-09-19. Modeling, not mechanic advice - always confirm against your car's owner's manual and service records.

Running a Grand Cherokee for income?

Carlyle scores the exact listing on cost per remaining mile and projected Turo income, so you know what a 2021 Grand Cherokee earns before you buy it.

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