VehicleVerdict

2020 Jeep Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 355 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.0 times the median Cherokee year — the 2020 model ranks #16 of 41 Cherokee years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 139 reports (39% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

355

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

6

Fires reported

9

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Cherokee years?

Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted3,958 complaints1973: 1 complaints1974: 0 complaints1975: 0 complaints1976: 0 complaints1977: 0 complaints1978: 1 complaints1979: 0 complaints1980: 1 complaints1981: 1 complaints1982: 0 complaints1983: 0 complaints1984: 8 complaints1985: 24 complaints1986: 26 complaints1987: 72 complaints1988: 118 complaints1989: 287 complaints1990: 368 complaints1991: 297 complaints1992: 175 complaints1993: 571 complaints1994: 618 complaints1995: 732 complaints1996: 584 complaints1997: 496 complaints1998: 553 complaints1999: 516 complaints2000: 508 complaints2001: 329 complaints2006: 18 complaints2014: 3,958 complaints2015: 2,651 complaints2016: 2,039 complaints2017: 1,919 complaints2018: 988 complaints2019: 2,370 complaints2020: 355 complaints2021: 191 complaints2022: 68 complaints2023: 4 complaints2026: 5 complaints
Cherokee NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Jeep Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission13939%
Engine3911%
Electrical System3510%
Other3410%
Brakes267%
Steering195%
Driver Assistance144%
Fuel System93%
Speed Control82%
Airbags72%
Suspension72%
Tires & Wheels72%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Body & Structure31%
Seats21%
Latches & Locks10%
Lighting10%

Does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

26V290000TransmissionMay 7, 2026 · 61,711 units

Defect

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

Consequence

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

Remedy

The remedy is currently under development. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be 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.

20V191000Driver AssistanceSeptember 10, 2020 · 319,610 units

Defect

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

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.

19V637000SteeringAugust 29, 2019 · 5,294 units

Defect

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“Was driving vehicle, started making grinding noise and would not move. After a couple restarts it moved, but was locked in 4x4 snow mode and would not change. Limped pinhole and had tow truck take to dealership. Diagnosis PTU is bad and needs to be replaced. Estimated cost is about $4000.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · April 13, 2025

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 27, 2021 · fire

“IN THE AM, THE MONITOR WENT OUT AND CAME ON AT A LATER TIME THAT DAY; WHEN DRIVING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR THE FRONT END WAS VIBRATING; AND WHEN RETURNING HOME, WITHIN THREE SECONDS I LOST STEERING, IT ENGAGED, WENT OUT AND ENGAGED AGAIN. I PARKED THE JEEP, HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO DAYS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 18, 2020

“This isn't a major concern but just possibly a design defect that could potentially be dangerous in an accident. On March 30 2023 I was involved in an accident on a highway in Pennsylvania where traffic was stop and go. I was stopped, and a car slammed into the back of me going pretty fast. Her car…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 30, 2023 · crash

“History of the vehicle in the shop for braking issues, on 08/09/2024; 2 vehicles in front braked for an animal on a busy road, and saw braking. Was at around 30mph and started to brake, car in front had an emergency brake event and came to a sudden stop. My vehicle sent a BRAKE!, warning and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 9, 2024 · crash

2020 Jeep Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 355 complaints put the 2020 model at #16 of 41 Cherokee years. It is one of the Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (139 complaints), engine (39 complaints), electrical system (35 complaints).

Does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Jeep Cherokee. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Jeep Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2015, 2019, 2016, 2017, 2018, 1995, 1994, 1996, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2000, 1997, 1990, 2020, 2001, 1991, 1989, 1992. The cleanest record among Cherokee years belongs to 1983.

How safe is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2020 Jeep Cherokee earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.