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2020 Jeep Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cherokee years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 113.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

87 reports with mileage · 207 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 169 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine complaints

39 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2022
EngineForward Collision AvoidancePower Train

In December 2021 the "AWD not available" warning message came on. During a trip, the cruise control did not work. Took car to dealer on January 4, 2022. Diagnostics revealed the following: oil leak in the engine, repaired under the warranty. Body controller module and body wiring failed, replaced under warranty. Power transfer u…

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In December 2021 the "AWD not available" warning message came on. During a trip, the cruise control did not work. Took car to dealer on January 4, 2022. Diagnostics revealed the following: oil leak in the engine, repaired under the warranty. Body controller module and body wiring failed, replaced under warranty. Power transfer unit failed, power transfer unit replaced under warranty. Car returned to me repaired on January 14, 2022.

NHTSA ODI #11448615

16,800 miles · Dec 1, 2021
EngineFire

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact noticed that the vehicle was on fire while parked in a parking lot. The contact mentioned the fire caused 2 other vehicles to catch on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined the fire was caused by the engine. A police report was filed. The vehicle was d…

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The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact noticed that the vehicle was on fire while parked in a parking lot. The contact mentioned the fire caused 2 other vehicles to catch on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined the fire was caused by the engine. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,800.

NHTSA ODI #11442222

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

The first time- driving and the ‘D’ button on the shifter started blinking and got stuck in Drive, excellerated, couldn’t stop. Shut car off! Rest after 15 mins and scheduled repair/check. Shifter box-assembly was replaced and found to be the problem. 2nd time- got stuck in reverse and wouldn’t move. Took it to the dealer, sched…

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The first time- driving and the ‘D’ button on the shifter started blinking and got stuck in Drive, excellerated, couldn’t stop. Shut car off! Rest after 15 mins and scheduled repair/check. Shifter box-assembly was replaced and found to be the problem. 2nd time- got stuck in reverse and wouldn’t move. Took it to the dealer, scheduled repair/check, told to keep driving it. 3rd time- check engine light came on, stopped at dealer, told to keep prior appointment and not to clear it. Never checked it. 4th time- driving at speed of 65, car shut off, no power but had brakes. Towed to dealer car still not able to start. Currently at the dealer.

NHTSA ODI #11428774

13,000 miles · Jul 16, 2021
EngineFire

The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his nephew was driving approximately 70 mph, a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The driver then noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The driver stopped the vehicle and exited. No further information was available. The veh…

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The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his nephew was driving approximately 70 mph, a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The driver then noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The driver stopped the vehicle and exited. No further information was available. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away from the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.

NHTSA ODI #11425084

3,000 miles · Jan 28, 2021
EngineFire

TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AN UNKNOWN BURNING ODOR OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE ALERTED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT QUICKLY COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AS SHE EXIT THE VEHICLE THE HOOD EXPLODED ENGULFED …

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TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AN UNKNOWN BURNING ODOR OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE ALERTED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT QUICKLY COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AS SHE EXIT THE VEHICLE THE HOOD EXPLODED ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED DOWN TO A CRIST. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE OF WHAT HAD LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND WAS LATER TAKEN BY THE VEHICLE INSURANCE TO AN INSURANCE AUTO AUCTION LOT WHERE IT STILL REMAINED. THE CONTACT CALLED KELLY JEEP CHRYSLER, 353 BROADWAY, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940, AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #11390488

1,460 miles · Aug 10, 2020
Engine

LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING, ENGINE RPM STARTED FLUCTUATING AND ALMOST STALLED. VEHICLE HAS 1400 MILES IT, WAS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP THAT I WILL HAVE TO ADD A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES TO THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE SEEN THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING BUT IN FACT THE ENGINE SHOULD HAVE STALLED. THA…

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LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING, ENGINE RPM STARTED FLUCTUATING AND ALMOST STALLED. VEHICLE HAS 1400 MILES IT, WAS ADVISED BY DEALERSHIP THAT I WILL HAVE TO ADD A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1500 MILES TO THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE THAT I SHOULD NOT HAVE SEEN THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING BUT IN FACT THE ENGINE SHOULD HAVE STALLED. THAT THEY HAVE HEARD OTHERS IN A RIGHT OR LEFT HAND TURN THEIR CARS STALLING OUT AS THEY CALLED A SAFETY FEATURE. THAT TO ME SOUNDS UNSAFE

NHTSA ODI #11344307

1,128 miles · Jun 25, 2020
Engine

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE 29TH DAY OF OWNERSHIP, WITH ODB CODE P0139. THE ONE O2 SENSOR WAS REPLACED, DRIVING BACK HOME AFTER THE REPAIR THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY SAME CODE P0139, THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE ECM/PCM COMPUTER. AFTER ALMOST TWO WEEKS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WITH THE SAME COD…

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ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THE 29TH DAY OF OWNERSHIP, WITH ODB CODE P0139. THE ONE O2 SENSOR WAS REPLACED, DRIVING BACK HOME AFTER THE REPAIR THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. TOOK IT BACK THE NEXT DAY SAME CODE P0139, THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE ECM/PCM COMPUTER. AFTER ALMOST TWO WEEKS THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON WITH THE SAME CODE. I PURCHASED THIS CAR WITH ON 7 MILES ON IT AND IT'S BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP 3 WITH LESS THAN 2K ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11330743

950 miles · Jun 11, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

VEHICLE STALLS ANYTIME IT IDLES OR COMES TO A STOP. STALLS WHILE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. STALLED WHILE TRYING TO GO STRAIGHT AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN. STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED, WAITING ONCOMING…

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VEHICLE STALLS ANYTIME IT IDLES OR COMES TO A STOP. STALLS WHILE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. STALLED WHILE TRYING TO GO STRAIGHT AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN. STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED, WAITING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. STALLING IN AN INTERSECTION COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR PROCEEDING ONCOMING TRAFFIC THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN VEHICLE STALLS, THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IS ACTIVATED AND REQUIRES THE CAR TO BE PUT IN PARK AND RESTART THE VEHICLE. AFTER STALLING, ENGINE HAS A HARD TIME STARTING AGAIN. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AFTER STALLING. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH 10 MILES ON ODOMETER. CURRENTLY HAS 950 MILES ON ODOMETER AND IS NOT DRIVABLE. AFTER TRYING TO FIND THE PROBLEM FOR OVER A WEEK, MY LOCAL JEEP SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT THEY FOUND RAW FUEL IN THE HOSE FROM THE PURGE VALVE, CHARCOAL FILTER, AND OTHER COMPONENTS. FUEL IS OVERFLOWING INTO THESE COMPONENTS OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. FUEL PUMP IS SAID TO NEED REPLACED, WHICH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2019 MODELS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON 2020 JEEP CHEROKEES, AS WELL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11328321

496 miles · Feb 8, 2020
Engine

DRIVING MY VEHICLE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A THROTTLE ISSUE MESSAGE FLASHED, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DRASTIC LOSS OF POWER CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH ONLY 8 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, CURRENTLY HAS 500 MILES, VEHICLE H…

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DRIVING MY VEHICLE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A THROTTLE ISSUE MESSAGE FLASHED, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DRASTIC LOSS OF POWER CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH ONLY 8 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, CURRENTLY HAS 500 MILES, VEHICLE HAS THE 2.4 LITER ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC 4X4 TRANSMISSION. CONTACTED THE JEEP DEALER WHEE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THERE COULD BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS JEEP, HOWEVER AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND AN ARTICLE ON THE SAME IDENTICAL ISSUE BEING REPORTED BY MULTIPLE JEEP OWNERS OF THE 2019 YEAR MODEL WITH THE SAME 2.4 LITER ENGINE, SEE: HTTPS://WWW.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/CAR-RECALLS-DEFECTS/2019-JEEP-CHEROKEE-RECALLED-OVER-STALLING-RISK/ BASED ON THE ARTICLE THAT I FOUND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, HOWEVER SOME DRIVERS STILL HAD PROBLEMS AFTER THE UPDATE WAS DONE. I WAS ASKED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY, SOME JEEP OWNERS ALSO REPORTED THAT AFTER 4 HOURS OF THE VEHICLE SITTING WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DEALER TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE DURING DIAGNOSTIC AND THERE MAY NOT BE A CODE STORED THAT CAN BE PULLED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HOPE THAT NHTSA KEEPS AN EYE FOR THIS, IF THE PROBLEM IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NOW TO CHRYSLER-FIAT AND NO FIX HAS BEEN APPLIED TO CURRENT YEAR MODEL JEEPS, THEN CHRYSLER -FIAT MAY BE ACTING IN "BAD-FAITH" AND KNOWINGLY SELLING VEHICLES THAT SHOULD PROBABLY BE PART OF A NATIONWIDE RECALL CAMPAIGN, ALSO THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT A VEHICLE THAT IS RENDERED POWERLESS WHILE OPERATING ON A HIGHWAY OR IN OUR CASE, HAVING TO DRIVE ON THE STEEP HILLS OF THE PACIFIC NW AS PART OF OUR DAILY COMMUTE.

NHTSA ODI #11307842

Official recalls

3

26V290000 · Power Train

May 7, 2026

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: 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.

20V191000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 10, 2020

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

19V637000 · Steering:rack And Pinion:pinion Shaft; Steering:rack And Pinion:rack

Aug 29, 2019

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

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.

Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Steering:rack And Pinion:pinion Shaft

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.

Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.