VehicleVerdict

2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee carries two red flags at once: 344 consumer complaints filed with NHTSA and an open NHTSA defect investigation (subject: High pressure fuel pump failure). It is one of the Grand Cherokee years to avoid. Complainants reported 15 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (69), other (56), and engine (52), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

344

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

1

Investigations · 1 open

43

Crash-involved

8

Fires reported

15

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2020 compare to other Grand Cherokee years?

See all Grand Cherokee years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System6920%
Other5616%
Engine5215%
Transmission3811%
Driver Assistance226%
Fuel System206%
Airbags175%
Speed Control154%
Steering134%
Brakes123%
Body & Structure82%
Suspension82%
Seat Belts51%
Visibility & Wipers41%
Tires & Wheels31%
Lighting21%

Does the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

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

23V411000EngineJune 8, 2023 · 80,629 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

Consequence

An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.

22V406000Fuel SystemJune 9, 2022 · 138,645 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.

Consequence

Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.

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.

Open NHTSA investigations

EA23001

High pressure fuel pump failure

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE21-021 on October 14, 2021, to investigate incidents alleging a stall/loss of motive power as a result of high-pressure fuel pump failures in certain model year (MY) 2019-2020 Ram 2500, 3500, 4500, and 5500 heavy duty trucks equipped with 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel engines. During the investigation, ODI sought to determine if the related defect allegation was limited in scope to the recalled population. After review of information request response materials from both FCA and BMW, NHTSA determined that sufficient information to identify a comprehensive recall population could not be produced by FCA and BMW.During the investigation FCA filed recalls 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087 which include vehicles not identified in the initial subject population by ODI. ODI also received recall 21V586, involving loss of motive power due to failed CP4 fuel pumps on certain BMW manufactured vehicles. An information request letter response received from BMW indicated that failed pumps on their vehicles were caused by an interaction between pump internal components and US market diesel fuel, leading to increased slip and eventual particle-generating wear surface. Additional work will be done to identify whether a similar root cause is associated with the FCA recalled population and if similar wear dynamics occur on pumps supplied to vehicle manufacturers other than those included in the recalled population.ODI has upgraded this investigation to an EA in order to 1) determine engineering specifications of internal pump components that are correlated with pump failure leading to loss of motive power or other safety related hazards, 2) identify vehicle populations equipped with alleged defective pump variants, 3) assess if vehicles equipped with alleged defective pump variants result in an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety and 4) gather and review any other relevant information related to high pressure fuel pump failure associated with the subject populations of recalls 21V586, 21V880, 21E094, 22V406, 22E048, 22V767, and 22E087.Review of the above information will allow NHTSA to confirm root cause and recall remedy viability, and identify and evaluate vehicle populations equipped with pump components that may pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed at: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID using the following complaint identification numbers: 11257550, 11351441, 11361603, 11361616, 11365300, 11365426, 11365858, 11366401, 11372337, 11373793, 11374797, 11376793, 11377871, 11378173, 11384377, 11386063, 11387018, 11399710, 11402550, 11415339, 11418868, 11418870, 11427075, 11434276, 11436807, 11437226, 11437249, 11437273, 11437292, 11437294, 11437394, 11437399, 11437403, 11437405, 11437423, 11437528, 11437565, 11437579, 11437580, 11437590, 11437679, 11437744, 11437781, 11437842, 11437993, 11438006, 11438008, 11438121, 11438138, 11438155, 11438392, 11438629, 11439359, 11439879, 11440397, 11443030, 11446542, 11448163, 11453556, 11458918, 11460558, 11469337

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WHILE I WAS PARKING NEAR THE BEACH, THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING AND THE BREAKS BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. AS A RESULT, THE CAR CRUSHED INTO THE WATER AND GOT SUBMERGED. I WAS ABLE TO LEAVE THROUGH THE WINDOW BEFORE IT GOT FLOODED

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · April 12, 2021 · crash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A SNOW PLOW MOUNTED TO A FORD F-250 WHERE SIGNIFICANT FRONT END DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE, AND THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. THERE'S NO WAY POSSIBLE THESE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE NOT BEEN DEPLOYED.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · February 29, 2020 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND STALLED. THE "AUTO PARK ON ,PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK' MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACTED ATTEMPTED TO RESTART…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 19, 2020 · fire

While slowly turning into a parking slot in front of a building, the vehicle surged forward, jumping the curb and striking a metal handrail and the corner of the building. Substantial damage resulted to the front, hood and cooling systems.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 7, 2022 · crash

While slowly turning into a parking slot in front of a building, the vehicle surged forward, jumping the curb and striking a metal handrail and the corner of the building. Substantial damage resulted to the front, hood and cooling systems.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 7, 2022 · crash

2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee — common questions

Is the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 344 complaints put the 2020 model at #30 of 38 Grand Cherokee years, and a defect investigation remains open. It is one of the Grand Cherokee years to avoid.

What are the most common 2020 Grand Cherokee problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (69 complaints), other (56 complaints), engine (52 complaints).

Does the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee have recalls?

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

Is the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee under NHTSA investigation?

Yes — an investigation remains open (High pressure fuel pump failure). An open ODI action means NHTSA is actively assessing a possible defect.

Which Jeep Grand Cherokee years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Grand Cherokee years to avoid are 2014, 2005, 2011, 2012, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006, 2015, 2004, 2007, 1997, 2018, 2013, 2023, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2016, 2020. The cleanest record among Grand Cherokee years belongs to 1992.

How safe is the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

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