2020 Jeep Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 304 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 12 Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 9 involved a crash and 6 involved a fire. 9 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power trainMay 7, 2026
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
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.
Campaign 26V290000 on NHTSA.gov
Back over prevention, sensing system, cameraSep 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."
The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 20V191000 on NHTSA.gov
Steering, rack and pinion, rackAug 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.
A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 19V637000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
34 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 12, 2022
Climate Control system freezes and will not turn on or will stop working while driving. Windows fog up with no way to defrost and cause low to no visibility while driving. No warning lights appear before this situation occurs. Car was in the shop at Spartanburg Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge in SC for a month just a few weeks after purchasing the vehicle. The problem first occurred when the vehicle had about 5,000 miles on it. Within 6-8 months the problem is happening again.
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Aug 12, 2021
The first time- driving and the ‘D’ button on the shifter started blinking and got stuck in Drive, excellerated, couldn’t stop. Shut car off! Rest after 15 mins and scheduled repair/check. Shifter box-assembly was replaced and found to be the problem. 2nd time- got stuck in reverse and wouldn’t move. Took it to the dealer, scheduled repair/check, told to keep driving it. 3rd time- check engine light came on, stopped at dealer, told to keep prior appointment and not to clear it. Never checked it. 4th time- driving at speed of 65, car shut off, no power but had brakes. Towed to dealer car still not able to start. Currently at the dealer.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 29, 2021
JEEP IS ALWAYS IN MOTION WHEN ISSUE HAPPENS RADIO FREEZES UP LOOSE ALL CLIMATE NO HEAT DEFROST THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT NOT HAVING HEAT OR DEFROST IS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN LIVING IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN WITH 30 BELOW WEATHER. THIS IN MOST CASES HAPPENS 2 TO 3 TIMES IN A ROW WHEN IT DOES IT IN TOTAL WITH OUT HEAT OR DEFROST FOR 5 TO 10 MINUTES IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIME AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT STARTED IN LATE OCT OF 2020 AND IS STILL A ISSUE
Steering, Suspension, Electrical system, Jan 17, 2021
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 LATER. WENT THRU ARBITRATION AND LOST.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 22, 2020
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.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Nov 12, 2020
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.*DT*DT*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS LEASED.*JB*AS*JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Oct 12, 2020
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
Electrical system, Service brakes, Oct 12, 2020
WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRY CONDITIONS SERVICE PARKING BRAKE,ABS,ESC ACTIVE WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. FRONT BRAKES PULSATE ALSO
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Sep 20, 2020
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.