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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
5,000 miles · Oct 25, 2020
Air BagsCrash

MY BOYFRIEND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2020 CHEROKEE AND HIT A SEMI TRUCK AT THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF THE JEEP WHILE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A 29 YEAR OLD DRIVING AND A 2 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE.

NHTSA ODI #11366306

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2020
Seats

FRONT LEATHER SEAT ON 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE CAME COMPLETELY UNDONE UNDERNEATH FROM DAY4

NHTSA ODI #11364021

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2020
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

ESC LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, CONDENSATION IN BOTH BODY SIDE TAIL LIGHTS ,SWITCHING FROM DEFROST TO A/C WARM AIR BLOWS TO FLOOR (SET AT 70),THEN I CHANGE TO FRONT VENTS WARM AIR CONTINUES ,THEN TRY TO SET ON AUTO AND NOTHINGS BLOWS OUT, THEN TURN TO A/C AGAIN AND IT GOES TO WARM DEFROST. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPEAKER RANDOMLY GOES O…

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ESC LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, CONDENSATION IN BOTH BODY SIDE TAIL LIGHTS ,SWITCHING FROM DEFROST TO A/C WARM AIR BLOWS TO FLOOR (SET AT 70),THEN I CHANGE TO FRONT VENTS WARM AIR CONTINUES ,THEN TRY TO SET ON AUTO AND NOTHINGS BLOWS OUT, THEN TURN TO A/C AGAIN AND IT GOES TO WARM DEFROST. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPEAKER RANDOMLY GOES OUT

NHTSA ODI #11364019

1,462 miles · Oct 12, 2020
Electrical SystemService Brakes

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRY CONDITIONS SERVICE PARKING BRAKE,ABS,ESC ACTIVE WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. FRONT BRAKES PULSATE ALSO

NHTSA ODI #11364010

11,700 miles · Sep 20, 2020
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND WARNING SOUNDS START GOING OFF. WE LOSE OUR SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GUAGE AND ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS. THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES AS WE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS. WHEN STOPPED AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES AND WE ARE UNAB…

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WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND WARNING SOUNDS START GOING OFF. WE LOSE OUR SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GUAGE AND ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS. THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES AS WE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS. WHEN STOPPED AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES AND WE ARE UNABLE TO GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WHILE IN GEAR. AFTER TODAYS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START BACK UP AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THIS STARTED 2 WEEKS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM SINCE THAT TIME. (WE'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 2020.) THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE OF THOSE TIMES IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 2 1/2 MONTHS AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WASN'T ABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. WE FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP 3 HOURS AWAY FROM OUR LOCATION AND THEY FIXED THE BLIND SIDE MODULE WHICH THEY STATED SHORTED OUT THE REMAINING SYSTEMS AND THAT IT IS FIXED. TODAY, 09/20/2020 WE HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT IN WHICH THE MALFUNCTION WAS WORSE AND WOULDN'T START AFTER WE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING DANGEROUS AND SCARY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE VIDEO RECORDINGS OF EACH INCIDENT. THE VIDEOS ARE TO LONG TO ATTACH, BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TEXT THEM.

NHTSA ODI #11360125

85 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Power Train

VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A CLANKING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A FULL STOP. SOUND SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM DIRECTLY UNDER THE VEHICLE. SOUND GOES AWAY WITH ESC TURNED OFF. JEEP DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE SOUND, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11354871

2,000 miles · Aug 27, 2020
Service BrakesSteeringUnknown Or Other

WHEN TURNING IT MAKES A SOUND. WHEN BRAKING IT MAKES A SOUND. WHILE IDLING FAN GET VERY LOAD. WHEN SPEED INCREASES MAKES A SOUND.

NHTSA ODI #11351537

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

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.