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2020 Jeep Cherokee problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2020 Jeep Cherokee has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 333owner complaints
- 9crash reports
- 7fire reports
- 9injuries reported
333 complaints, against an average of 978 for the other 10 Jeep Cherokee model years.
Every Jeep Cherokee model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
The components named most often in the 333 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2020 Jeep Cherokee owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 333 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2020 Jeep Cherokee been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Power Train Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the Drivetrain Control Drivetrain Control Module, PTU, and Electronic Park Brake software, and replace the PTU, as necessary, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk were mailed June 25, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy becomes available. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraOver-the-air fix Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an Over-The-Air (OTA) update available as of May 1, 2020. The recall began April 27, 2020. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is W30-W37.
Steering: Rack And Pinion: Rack Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is V99.
Is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAA possible loss of motive power or park function due to wear in the power transfer unit
Risk: A possible loss of motive power or PARK function due to wear in the Power Transfer Unit.
Fix: Reprogram the Drive Train Control Module and Electric Park Brake.
EU Safety GateA pinion in the power steering system may be defective and could break.As a result, the steering wheel may lock up, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2020 Jeep Cherokee owners report?
12 of the 333 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
My 2020 JeepCherokee has been disabled at Jeff Wyler Springfield Jeep since 10/13 after suffering a drivetrain failure on 10/11.My vehicle exhibited a severe mechanical grinding noise,locking front wheels,& a 'Service 4WD' warning light while driving, un-commanded engagement of snow mode,& of the e-brake upon parking. Upon inspection 10/14,the tech claimed no codes appeared but stated the transmission required replacement.I contacted my warranty company to start a claim. On 10/15,the advisor said I needed to authorize a transmission tear down per warranty company.I refused due to out-of-pocket…
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "Service 4WD" was displayed with an audible alarm and an abnormal whirling sound coming from the transmission. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and was diagnosed with PTU failure. The vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who confirmed the PTU failure. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (POWER TRAIN). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 21,000.
While driving, emergency parking brake engaged. Required vehicle to be driven on and parked on road shoulder. Grinding sound was coming from engaged parking brake. Vehicle was towed to nearest dealership.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to respond as needed. The contact avoided a crash with another vehicle by moving over to the side of the road, drove onto the grass, and navigated past a nearby pedestrian and a hill. The passenger’s side door was scratched, and the passenger’s side mirror was knocked off the vehicle. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the ABS sensor warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal had locked up and the vehicle failed to…
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WHENEVER YOU ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP (LIKE A TRAFFIC LIGHT), THE VEHICLE WILL COAST INTO THE INTERSECTION, CAUSING A TRAFFIC HAZARD. IT HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES. AT 60,300 MILES, DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT ENGINE WAS NOT COVERED. I PURCHASED A NEW ENGINE, WHICH NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. 5 DIFFERENT TIMES THEY RESET DASH BOARD, BUT THE IT CONT'D BEFORE I CAN GET HOME. DEALERSHIP GASLIGHTS WITH THEY COULD NOT GET PR0BLEM REPEATED. BUT AS SOON AS WARRANTY EXPIRE(EED), DEALERSHIP ADMIDES CAR NEEDS 2ND NEW ENGINE. $9K.
Like previous model years, the 2 L Turbo engine started buring excessive oil (more than 1 quart per 500 miles). Two mechanics have indicated that engine and turbocharger need to be replaced. Both said that this engine is same as previous model years for which recalls were initiated.
Driving after work on 53S my jeep decided to only go 5mph engine light turned on among other light. Svc 4wd. Had to pull over the interstate shoulder that’s under construction and had very small space to park without getting hit by others.
On September 23, 2026, my wife was driving our 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk on I-65 South at mile marker 105.1 when the vehicle lost drive power and could no longer be driven. She became stranded on the side of the highway, and I had to pick her up. The vehicle also rolled while the gear selector was in PARK. We had it towed to Tom O’Brien Jeep dealership in Greenwood. Our vehicle is included in open safety recall 40D, NHTSA campaign 26V-290, involving the power transfer unit (PTU). The loss of drive power and rolling in PARK match the failure symptoms described in that recall. The specific…
Sudden total loss of power steering assist while driving over a small pothole on Pearman Dairy Road. Full details, diagnostic trouble codes (U0420-00, U0010-00, U1428-00, B2309-64), and Jeep case reference 97368807 are fully documented in the attached formal PDF letter
2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited AWD, VIN [XXX] , approx. 111,355 miles. Reporting serious safety concern: repeated/worsening electrical system failure with intermittent loss of power steering assist. For nearly a year, Auto Start/Stop warning and battery warning lights have appeared. During episodes, power steering assist can stop working, especially at complete stops, making steering extremely difficult when stopped, parking, or pulling out. Battery, alternator, battery cables/connections, and belt have been replaced, but issue continues and is worsening. Recently while driving, radio shut off…
In November 2024, while driving, my jeep began to lose power. Accelerator was not working and pulled over. It turned on but would unexpectedly turn off whenever I would drive it. It was in the shop 4 months. Last week, Nov 2025, while at a stop light it completely stopped working. When I tried to accelerate it wasn’t working. Break pedal was hard and I could not turn it back on. Dash lights were on and tank had gas. Had to get it towed. Was told engine was in good shape. Still looking at starter issues.
Parking brake will automatically engage randomly while car is stopped at lights, stops signs, ect. The only way to reset is to put vehicle in park, turn off ignition and restart vehicle. Has happened several times over the last 3 months.
2020 Jeep Cherokee: questions owners ask
Is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 333 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee; the most common categories were power train (198, 59.5%), engine (46, 13.8%), electrical system (35, 10.5%). There are 3 safety recalls. 9 complaints mention a crash, 7 mention a fire, 9 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
Across 333 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are power train (59.5% of complaints), engine (13.8% of complaints), electrical system (10.5% of complaints), service brakes (8.1% of complaints), steering (6.6% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee; the most recent (campaign 26V290000, 2026-05-07) concerns Power Train. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2020 Jeep Cherokee stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
44 of the 333 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee (13.2%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Sudden total loss of power steering assist while driving over a small pothole on Pearman Dairy Road. Full details, diagnostic trouble codes (U0420-00, U0010-00, U1428-00, B2309-64), and Jeep case reference 97368807 are fully documented in the attached formal…" (NHTSA complaint 11755280, August 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have all-wheel-drive or 4x4 problems?
32 of the 333 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee (9.6%) describe all-wheel-drive, 4x4 or transfer case faults. One owner wrote: "Transfer case failure, I had started to notice as if the transmission were shifted to neutral, high engine rpm and no output to the wheels. This happened a few times but not consistently." (NHTSA complaint 11720324, February 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
18 of the 333 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee (5.4%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Engine light comes on, whenever you attempt to accelerate from a stop (like a traffic light), the vehicle will coast into the intersection, causing a traffic hazard. it has done this multiple times." (NHTSA complaint 11768960, October 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Cherokee
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2020 only.