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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

294 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2023
Vehicle Speed Control

I set my cruise control at a designated speed (70mph) and the vehicle accelerated well beyond…to 83mph before I realized it was still accelerating. I had to hit the cancel Button and turn off cruise control to get it to slow down. Then I set it and it didn’t “set” and kept decelerating.

NHTSA ODI #11513270

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2023
Structure

The paint on the passenger door panel close to window is peeling off it should not be doing this with it being 3 years old

NHTSA ODI #11508822

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2023
Electrical SystemPower Train

The PTU failed on a well maintained 2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited. The SVC 4WD warning light came on my vehicle and the 4x4 system is not working. I took the vehicle to a Jeep dealership. The Jeep dealership looked at the issue and said I needed a new battery, which I paid a lot of money for then to install. They said the light wou…

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The PTU failed on a well maintained 2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited. The SVC 4WD warning light came on my vehicle and the 4x4 system is not working. I took the vehicle to a Jeep dealership. The Jeep dealership looked at the issue and said I needed a new battery, which I paid a lot of money for then to install. They said the light would eventually go out. It did not. I had to bring it back and then they performed a diagnostic and inspection of the vehicle and determined that the vehicle has a bad PTU. This is a leased vehicle and I have been having to rent cars for the past month while we wait for a part for over a month. The dealership told me I could drive the car without a problem but it is such a terrible sound that I do not feel it is safe.

NHTSA ODI #11502753

Mileage unknown · Jan 6, 2023
Steering

Jeep has 36,000 miles, it has a very knotty feeling in the steering wheel when trying drive straight. It feels like the steering wheel gets hung up when trying to slightly turn left/right. Constantly having to chase the road. No wrecks, or accidents on our jeep. It happens at highway speeds and normal city driving as well. I rea…

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Jeep has 36,000 miles, it has a very knotty feeling in the steering wheel when trying drive straight. It feels like the steering wheel gets hung up when trying to slightly turn left/right. Constantly having to chase the road. No wrecks, or accidents on our jeep. It happens at highway speeds and normal city driving as well. I read of a recall for steering gear in 2019-2020 jeep but our jeep is not showing a recall for this problem.

NHTSA ODI #11500484

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2022
Engine

This 2020 jeep cherokee altitude burns close to 3 quarts of oil. I have 26000 miles on it. I havent received any recalls or notice from dodge/crysler dealer. This is ridiculous

NHTSA ODI #11499465

Mileage unknown · Dec 6, 2022
Unknown Or Other

The rare windshield shattered. The vehicle is currently at a Jeep dealership because after the incident I opened a complaint with Jeep corporate and was told to have it towed into the dealership. My child was sitting in the back seat when we heard a loud noise and seen the glass was shattered. Jeep was viewed by police. There we…

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The rare windshield shattered. The vehicle is currently at a Jeep dealership because after the incident I opened a complaint with Jeep corporate and was told to have it towed into the dealership. My child was sitting in the back seat when we heard a loud noise and seen the glass was shattered. Jeep was viewed by police. There were no warning that after warming my car up prior to leave my house that my back windshield would shatter not even a minute into my drive.

NHTSA ODI #11496227

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2022
Electrical SystemPower Train

In August 2022, My 2020 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 Limited started having jerking issues when excellerating. I also kept hearing a whistling sound that appears to come from the front passenger door. In addition, the entire navigation system would power off, at any time, for no reason. I would have to physically turn it back on. One week…

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In August 2022, My 2020 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 Limited started having jerking issues when excellerating. I also kept hearing a whistling sound that appears to come from the front passenger door. In addition, the entire navigation system would power off, at any time, for no reason. I would have to physically turn it back on. One week later while running errands in Palm Coast Florida my 2020 Jeep would not start for approximately 20 minutes and the SVC 4Wheel Drive warning light was illuminated. While on the phone with road side assistance the jeep started. I was instructed to drive home and a tow company would be contacted. Driving home I realized that I had no operating lights, turn signals, and all th Jeep electrical components were out. I drove for 15 minutes to my home in complete fear for myself and other motorist. In August 2022, My Jeep was towed to Atlantic Dodge-Chrysler Jeep dealership located at 2330 US-1 South, St. Augustine Florida 32086 (904) 797-4383. I was initially told my issues were caused by a dead battery cell. The dealership replaced my battery but the SVC 4Wheel indicator was still illuminated. I was instructed by the dealership service department to drive 2 hours and rest the vehicle for 24 hours. The SVC 4Wheel indicator did not reset. I was informed by the dealership that a PTU unit needs to be replaced. I keep my vehicle routinely dealership maintained, so I researched the causes for PTU failure in 2020 Jeeps. I found that there has been a history of PTU failures with my vehicle type, to include the backup view delay. My vehicle has not been recalled for the rear backup view and it is still malfunctioning. If there is a recall on PTU units and rear Backup viewing, please send me the information to schedule a recall repair.

NHTSA ODI #11489050

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2022
Power TrainSuspension

Starting mid 2022, the vehicle was having trouble shifting into passing gear upon highway acceleration. It seemed to get stuck at 45 MPH before shifting into a higher speed, putting me at risk. Subsequently, In September 2022, I brought vehicle in for oil change. The mechanic put the car on a lift and found that the passenger f…

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Starting mid 2022, the vehicle was having trouble shifting into passing gear upon highway acceleration. It seemed to get stuck at 45 MPH before shifting into a higher speed, putting me at risk. Subsequently, In September 2022, I brought vehicle in for oil change. The mechanic put the car on a lift and found that the passenger front axle boot was torn, and fluid was leaking from the axel joint. I brought the car to the dealership for repair. The transmission problem was a needed computer update. The axel boot and axel half was replaced. The troubling aspect of this is that no warning lights came on for any of these issues.

NHTSA ODI #11488922

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2022
Electrical SystemForward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

I will try to answer each question: The electronic emergency brake engaged on its own at a stop light, then later while driving on the highway. Could have easily been re-ended and lost control on freeway causing extreme damage. It was a night, and driving alone. Called dealership, they said to bring it in or tow it but wouldn't …

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I will try to answer each question: The electronic emergency brake engaged on its own at a stop light, then later while driving on the highway. Could have easily been re-ended and lost control on freeway causing extreme damage. It was a night, and driving alone. Called dealership, they said to bring it in or tow it but wouldn't be able to get to it until Oct. 20th and then if a part needed to be ordered it would be longer. I then took it to our mechanic, who said it was the electronic brake module and most likely was caused by water leak. They showed me complaint article with complaints of same thing. I notified my insurance company of same. The warning lights only came when it happened last night. 10/04/22. They are not currently on, and I only drove it to the mechanic shop where they diagnosed the problem.

NHTSA ODI #11488100

Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2022
Power Train

On 3 separate occasions after being stopped to make a turn vehicle has started to go and then stops moving like its out of gear. It will then make a clunkng noise like its going into gear and start moving again. I have taken it to jeep and they said after 1st two times it needed an update. It has since done it again and they te…

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On 3 separate occasions after being stopped to make a turn vehicle has started to go and then stops moving like its out of gear. It will then make a clunkng noise like its going into gear and start moving again. I have taken it to jeep and they said after 1st two times it needed an update. It has since done it again and they tell me unless it does it while they have it they dont know what it is. This started with only 18000 miles on vehicle and it currently has around 22000. This is scary because its going to cause me to be in a wreck if it happens while I'm turning in traffic. Please feel free to contact me for further information.

NHTSA ODI #11481841

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.