KnownCarProblems2020 Jeep Cherokee Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 325 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, most often about the transmission (59% of complaints, typically around 64,000 miles). It is 8th of 14 Cherokee model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2020 Jeep Cherokee problems
Transmission
190 complaints · 59%Half of these problems showed up before 64,000 miles. Parts named most often: transfer case (4-wheel drive), automatic transmission.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the transmission failed without warning and the RPM became extremely elevated; however, the vehicle failed to respond while depressing the accelerator pedal. Despite the failure, the contact was able to coast the vehicle off to the…
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at various speeds, a warning chime sounded, and the message "service four-wheel drive" was displayed. The contact stated that the failure was initially occurring intermittently but had become consistent.…
Engine
49 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 27,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the four-wheel drive overheated warning light illuminated. The contact reduced the speed, and the vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that a nearby driver pulled over and informed the…
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…
Other or unspecified
37 complaints · 11%Vehicle sos call locks the entertainment system and will not call sos nor disconnect. No radio available. Has occurred multiple times. The uconnect had serious electrical issues.
1-20-2020 purchased a new Jeep Cherokee latitude, we purchased the car with 4 wheel drive and all terrain tires for our needs, gravel, mud, snow, flooding etc.in or about 12-1-2020 we received an recall w43, we thought it had to do with the bumper being melted by the exhaust. The recall stated tire rub and exhaust…
Electrical
35 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 5,500 miles. Parts named most often: body control module/bcm.
Emergency brake engaged without any involvement by operator - could not move vehicle. When repeated attempts were made to release without achieving, vehicle was able to move however instrument panel stated er brake needs servicing. Consumer stated vehicle was leased.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while at a complete stop at a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle shut off and lost electrical power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. However, the failure…
Brakes
30 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 30,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the parking brake engaged unintendedly, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly, almost causing the contact to hit her head against the steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure nearly caused the vehicle to…
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…
Steering
22 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 17,500 miles. Parts named most often: electric power assist system.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly jerked two feet to the right and two feet to the left. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that the electronic steering power transfer unit had failed and needed to be replaced. The…
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked the driver attempted to accelerate forward and the vehicle erroneously made a sharp left turn and crashed into a construction zone causing damage to the vehicle and the construction site materials. No further information was…
Driver assistance
12 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings, blind spot detection, adaptive cruise control.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop at a red light, the forward collision avoidance automatic emergency braking system activated, and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The contact stated that the vehicle briefly rolled backward before returning to normal…
Fuel system
10 complaints · 3%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2020 Jeep Cherokee recalls
Transmission: power train
Risk: A failed ptu may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Chrysler (fca US llc) is recalling certain 2019-2023 jeep cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (ptu) may fail.
Backup camera: camera
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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."
Steering: rack
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (190 complaints, typically around 64,000 miles); engine (49 complaints, typically around 27,000 miles); other or unspecified (37 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 7, 2026 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2020 a bad year for the Jeep Cherokee?
- It is 8th of 14 Cherokee model years by number of complaints, with 325 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.