JeepGrand Cherokee L2021Overview/jeep/grand-cherokee-l/2021/base/

2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Grand Cherokee L.

Transmission Automatic 8-spd

The 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee L is the three-row variant of the storied Grand Cherokee lineup, pairing an eight-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined for its standard powertrain configuration, with a notably low complaint volume of just 72 owner-reported issues against three recalls—positioning this inaugural model year of the extended wheelbase L variant as a notably clean entry compared to its sibling years, as the complaint history tracking 2021 through 2026 shows complaints peaked in 2022 at 211 before trending sharply downward to just one complaint by 2026, suggesting improving refinement and reliability as the platform matured, though the seats emerged as the most frequently cited complaint area across the model's early lifecycle.

Model year202620252024202320222021

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy19/26/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. 94R · 700 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Only use AGM VRLA Battery vented to the outside of the vehicle. 94R · 700 CCAOEM · verified
High beam bulbAOEM · verified
Tire size265/50R20OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 68191349AC
Engine air filter68376815AA alt 68542769AA
Spark plugSP143877AB alt SP225755AB
Battery56029758AB alt 56029759AB
Front wiper blades68505533AA alt 68505532AA
Thermostat52028898AJ alt 68433104AC
Cabin air filter68608193AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 8-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length204.7 in
Overall width77.6 in
Overall height71.3 in
Wheelbase121.7 in
Curb weight4747 lb
Track (front / rear)65.4 / 65.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine CoolantMopar MS 12106 P/N 68163848 AA
Engine Coolant Capacity10.4 qt
Engine CoolantMopar MS 12106 P/N 68163848 AA
Engine Coolant CapacityEquipped with Trailer Tow Package; 16.0 Qts.; Not Equipped with Trailer Tow Package

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs7 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts133.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts70 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts9.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs9 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant CapacityR-1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity4.0 oz
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca
Standard BCI Cranking PerformanceStartStop: 650; Without StartStop: 700 cca
Optional BCI Cranking Performance200 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)56.0-60.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 41.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 89.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 125.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 89.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor Torque6.7
Minimum Pad Thickness0.04 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: Base & Premium: 1.2"; Rear: Base:
Maximum Rotor RunoutMeasured with

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Inspection Procedure (Upper) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Place jack stands as far out as possible under both lower control arms. Step 3: The vehicle can now be lowered onto the jack stands supporting as much weight as possible. Step 4: Remove front tires. Step 5: Place plunger on upper side of upper ball joint making sure that it is perpendicular to boss machined surface. Step 6: Use a pry bar between upper control arm and knuckle to pry upward. Step 7: Document movement from the dial indicator. Step 8: Replace upper control arm and ball joint if travel exceeds specifications.
Inspection Procedure (Lower) — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Place jack stands as far out as possible under both lower control arms. Step 3: The vehicle can now be lowered onto the jack stands supporting as much weight as possible. Step 4: Place a dial indicator on the upper side of lower control arm. The plunger should be placed on lower surface of knuckle. Step 5: Use a pry bar to pry upward under tire. Step 6: Document travel. Step 7: Replace lower ball joint if travel exceeds specifications.
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 105°30 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 125° without using a torque wrench. Step 5: Loosen all fasteners. Step 6: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: 130° without using a torque wrench.22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M12 Bolts 1-1025 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Drive Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Grand Cherokee L debuts with 72 complaints, three recalls, one investigation, and 201 TSBs — the lowest complaint count of the generation until the thin 2026 data. The 2022 model year spikes sharply to 211 complaints, 14 recalls, and 821 TSBs, suggesting a significant second-year quality escalation that then recedes to 68 complaints in 2023 and 35 by 2024. The 2021 top complaint categories — Seats, Unknown/Other, Electrical System/Forward Collision Avoidance, and Steering — each sit at only five to six reports, and the data records three crash complaints and one fire complaint for the year. Recall volume remains modest through 2023–2025 (five to seven annually) before dropping to one in 2025, while TSB counts stay elevated well above the 2021 baseline. The 2021 model year sits at the favorable end of the generation's federal-record arc, avoiding the pronounced 2022 deterioration. For a used buyer, the 2021 represents the cleanest federal-record profile of the L generation to date.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
201
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
72
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 72 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Seats6
Unknown Or Other6
Electrical System,Forward Collision Avoidance6
Steering5
Power Train4
Electrical System4
Engine3
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

24V897000Air Bags:Side/WindowReported 27/11/2024

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. An improperly secured connector for the front seat side air bags (SAB) may prevent the air bags… Remedy: Dealers secured the connector, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been remedied. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2024. Owners may contact FCA customer…

25V083000Equipment:Electrical:Infotainment:Video (Touch)Screen/Monitor/UnitReported 13/02/2025

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vehicles. The center stack upper display (DCSD) contains a transistor that may overheat and prevent the rearview… Remedy: Dealers replaced the DCSD, free of charge. All affected vehicles have been repaired. Owner notification letters were mailed February 27, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 201 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
1126402026-06-30EngineTHROTTLE BODY – NONE
1126392026-06-30EngineTHROTTLE BODY – NONE
1131232026-06-29Service BrakesSPRING KIT - DISC BRAKE PAD
9100811 Rev 42026-06-25SuspensionClunking when going over bumps, potholes, or turns. During diagnosis dealers may find…
S2102000004 REV.D2026-06-25SuspensionWL Front Control Arm Bushing - Handling Link Has Loose Rubber Appearance

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Grand Cherokee L. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2021 Grand Cherokee L have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Grand Cherokee L get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.