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Your rig: · this is your owner hub.
The current Grand Cherokee is built on a steel uniframe with independent front suspension, not a solid-axle Jeep like the Wrangler, and every 4x4 version is full-time. What separates one from another is the transfer case (with or without low range), the rear differential and whether it has air suspension. Those three things decide how it handles snow, trails and towing, and 4xe plug-in hybrids carry two open fire-related recalls worth checking first.
At a Glance
| If your Grand Cherokee has… | What its 4WD does | Good fit for |
|---|---|---|
| Quadra-Trac I | Full-time 4WD, single-speed case, no low range | Rain, snow and gravel roads |
| Quadra-Trac II | Full-time 4WD with a 2.72:1 low range | Towing on loose ramps, steep dirt tracks |
| Quadra-Drive II | Quadra-Trac II plus a rear electronic limited-slip | Rougher trails where one rear wheel lifts |
| Quadra-Lift air suspension | Raises ground clearance from 8.4 in to about 10.9–11.3 in | Ruts, rocks and water crossings |
Generations and Model Years
Jeep's specification sheets date the current (WL) generation to two launches: the three-row Grand Cherokee L in January 2021 as a 2021 model and the two-row Grand Cherokee in September 2021 as a 2022 model. IIHS applies its previous-generation crash ratings to 2011–2022 models, so 2022 is a year in which both bodies were sold new. Both current bodies are built in Detroit at the Mack and Jefferson North plants.
The 2022 lineup offered the 3.6L Pentastar V6 (293 hp, 260 lb-ft), a 5.7L V8 (357 hp, 390 lb-ft) on Trailhawk, Overland and Summit 4x4 models, and the new Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid (375 hp, 470 lb-ft; 17.3-kWh battery; Jeep estimated 25 miles of electric range). For 2026, Jeep lists two-row trims Laredo, Laredo Altitude, Laredo X, Limited and Summit, with a new 2.0L Hurricane 4 turbo (324 hp, 332 lb-ft on regular fuel) alongside the V6, and says the 4xe continues.
4WD Systems Explained
Every Grand Cherokee 4x4 in this generation uses a full-time active 4WD transfer case, and Jeep added an automatic front-axle disconnect for 2022 that switches to two-wheel drive when front drive isn't needed, to save fuel. The systems differ in the transfer case and the rear differential:
| System | Transfer case | Low range | Rear differential | 2022 availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quadra-Trac I | MP3015C single-speed, variable torque split | None | Conventional | Optional with the 3.6L V6 |
| Quadra-Trac II | MP3028C two-speed, variable split | 2.72:1 (4 Low locks the case) | Conventional | Optional V6/V8; standard on 4xe |
| Quadra-Drive II | MP3028C two-speed | 2.72:1 | Electronic limited-slip | Trailhawk and higher trims |
Selec-Terrain gives up to five driver-selected modes (Auto, Sport, Rock, Snow, Mud/Sand) that Jeep says tune drivetrain behavior to the surface. The 2022 Trailhawk added a front sway-bar disconnect, all-terrain tires and Quadra-Lift air suspension; the 2026 lineup has no Trailhawk, and Jeep lists Quadra-Trac II with air suspension on the Limited and Summit.
Ground Clearance, Water Fording and Towing
| Spec | Figure | Source year |
|---|---|---|
| Ground clearance, steel springs | 8.4 in | 2022, 2026 |
| Ground clearance, air suspension (position 2) | 10.9 in (4xe Trailhawk 10.9, gas Trailhawk 11.3) | 2022 |
| Approach / breakover / departure, steel springs | 20.5° / 19.1° / 26.6° | 2026 |
| Approach, air suspension | Up to 30.1° | 2026 |
| Water fording | Up to 24 in | 2022 |
| Max trailer, 3.6L V6 or 2.0L Hurricane | 6,200 lb | 2026 |
| Max trailer, 5.7L V8 | 7,200 lb | 2022 |
| Max trailer, 4xe | 6,000 lb | 2022 |
The two-row rides on a 116.7-inch wheelbase with a 23-gallon tank (2026). Factory tires run from 245/70R17 (Laredo) through 265/60R18 (Limited) and 265/50R20 (Summit) to an optional 275/45R21. The WL and the previous body are different vehicles, so suspension, lift and bumper parts are listed by generation and by whether the truck has steel springs or air suspension.
Recall History (NHTSA)
As of September 2026, NHTSA returns 44 vehicle campaigns covering 2021–2026 Grand Cherokee, Grand Cherokee L and Grand Cherokee 4xe models (NHTSA files them under three model names), and 53 covering 2011–2021. The largest and most consequential for the current generation:
| Campaign | Filed | Vehicles | Problem | Units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V328 | May 2026 | 2022–2026 GC, 2023–2025 GC L | Restraint-module software can delay side air bag deployment | 419,035 |
| 24V132 | Feb 2024 | 2021–2023 GC L, 2022–2023 GC | Upper control-arm ball joint can separate from the knuckle; dealers replace pinch bolts | 338,238 |
| 26V562 | Sep 2026 | 2021–2023 GC L, 2022–2023 GC and 4xe | Rear coil springs incorrectly installed can detach while driving; the same defect as 23V413 (305,282) and 26V051 (80,620) | 328,381 |
| 25V741 | Oct 2025 | 2022–2026 GC 4xe, 2020–2025 Wrangler 4xe | High-voltage battery can fail and catch fire; park outside, don't charge; replaces 24V720 | 320,068 |
| 25V766 | Nov 2025 | 2023–2025 GC 4xe, 2024–2025 Wrangler 4xe | Engine debris can cause failure, loss of power or fire | 117,904 |
| 25V576 | Sep 2025 | 2022–2026 GC 4xe | Hybrid control software error can cause loss of drive power | 91,787 |
The battery campaign has already been through two rounds: vehicles fixed under 24V720 need the newer 25V741 remedy as well. It applies only to the 4xe, so a gas-engine Grand Cherokee from the same years is not in that population.
Grand Cherokee Owner Pages
- Service 4wd jeep grand cherokee
- Problems & Maintenance
- Mod Priorities
- Best Roof Racks
- Best Floor Mats
- Best Lift Kits
- Best Front Bumpers
- How Many Miles Will It Last?
- 5-Year Maintenance Cost
- Jeep accessory fitment hub
Check for Open Recalls
Look up open NHTSA recall campaigns for this model by year. This calls NHTSA's free, public recall API directly from your browser — nothing is sent to us.
Choose a year and select “Check Recalls”.
Data from NHTSA's public recall API — this lookup is not the official record and 4x4 & Overlanding is not affiliated with NHTSA. Always confirm current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls using your vehicle's VIN before assuming a vehicle has no open recalls.
Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Jeep and Ram are trademarks of their respective owners. 4x4 & Overlanding is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer.
Sources
- Stellantis — 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Specifications — Introduction September 2021 as a 2022 model, Detroit assembly, 2026 engines and outputs, transfer cases, axles, towing, ground clearance, angles, wheelbase, fuel tank and tire sizes.
- Stellantis — 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee L Specifications — Grand Cherokee L introduced January 2021 as a 2021 model.
- Stellantis — 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Specifications — Steel uniframe, suspension layout, 3.6L, 5.7L and 4xe outputs and towing, MP3015C and MP3028C transfer cases and 2.72 low range, front-axle disconnect, electronic limited-slip rear, air-suspension ground clearance by version.
- Stellantis — 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee press kit — Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II and Quadra-Drive II names and availability, Selec-Terrain modes, Trailhawk sway-bar disconnect, 24-inch water fording, 4xe electric range estimate.
- Stellantis — 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee press kit — 2026 trims, Hurricane 4 Turbo output, 6,200-lb towing, Quadra-Trac II with air suspension on Limited and Summit, 4xe continuing.
- IIHS — 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4-door SUV ratings — Previous-generation ratings apply to 2011–2022 models.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V328 — Side air bag deployment software, 419,035 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 24V132 — Upper control-arm ball joint separation, 338,238 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V562 — Rear coil spring detachment, 328,381 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 23V413 — Earlier rear coil spring campaign, 305,282 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V051 — Rear coil spring campaign, 80,620 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 25V741 — 4xe high-voltage battery fire risk, park outside and don't charge, replaces 24V720, 320,068 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 24V720 — Earlier 4xe battery campaign replaced by 25V741.
- NHTSA — Recall 25V766 — 4xe engine debris, 117,904 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 25V576 — Grand Cherokee 4xe hybrid control software loss of drive power, 91,787 units.
- NHTSA — Datasets and APIs (Recalls API) — Campaign counts by model and model year and potentially affected unit totals, pulled September 28, 2026.
- NHTSA — Recalls lookup by VIN — Where owners check a specific vehicle's open recalls.