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: fuel/propulsion system
10 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 23, 2026
On September 23, 2026, my wife was driving our 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk on I-65 South at mile marker 105.1 when the vehicle lost drive power and could no longer be driven. She became stranded on the side of the highway, and I had to pick her up. The vehicle also rolled while the gear selector was in PARK. We had it towed to Tom O’Brien Jeep dealership in Greenwood. Our vehicle is included in open safety recall 40D, NHTSA campaign 26V-290, involving the power transfer unit (PTU). The loss of drive power and rolling in PARK match the failure symptoms described in that recall. The specific mechanical cause still needs to be confirmed by the dealership. The Mopar recall lookup shows the recall is incomplete, the remedy is under development, and repair parts are not available. The vehicle is currently at the dealership. I am reporting an actual highway loss-of-propulsion incident and the vehicle rolling while in PARK. I am concerned about the risk of a crash or injury and the lack of an available recall remedy. Please document this incident under the existing recall and review the manufacturer’s response to vehicles that have already experienced these failures.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 12, 2026
Issue #1: Fuel pump failure, had to completely replace the fuel pump at approx. 60,000 miles. Approx. $1,300 repair. Issue #2: Rear differential failure due to faulty/poor construction of materials, per the repair shop. Failed at approx. 63,000 miles. There was no external damage to the differential, it was caused by poor construction/defects of the materials used to build the car. Approx. $4,500 repair. Both issues are KNOWN issues with Jeeps of this model year, to the extent that I have not been able to find replacement parts due to them being in such high demand.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 30, 2025
While using the remote start feature to warm car in attached garage (with door open), car started then after a minute stalled out. I tried to remote start again and it did not start. went to vehicle to start with key fob present, as I went into attached garage there was a strong odor of gas. started vehicle and removed outside of garage to find a huge puddle of gas on ground in attached garage. fuel leaked out while running using remote start! had car towed to dealership, they informed me that the fuel supply tube had failed (part# 68489840AA). repair cost of $610 plus $ 128 for towing. this could have been a total loss of car and garage, possibly LIFE, along with house that is attached to garage!!!!! or it could have caught fire will driving. DANGER DANGER!!!!!! our whole house had the worst gas fumes all day, cleaned up spilled fuel as best as possable and a week later still has a odor of the spilled fuel!
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 29, 2024, fire
Upon driving at approx 20mph in traffic on the highway, there was a sudden loss of power in acceleration. Smoke was seen around the vehicle. Multiple lights flashed on the dashboard and then quickly went blank. As I was pulling to the side of the road I noticed flames coming from the front right side of the vehicle. The brakes no longer worked. I got out of the vehicle as smoke was seeping into the cabin. I was able to retrieve my phone and bag. Approx. 30 seconds after exiting the vehicle and moving away there was a small explosion. Over the course of the next few minutes there were multiple other explosions. Emergency services were called immediately. The vehicle burnt to the ground completely.
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 15, 2024
Fuel line plastic fitting cracked and was sprayed fuel on hot engine and exhaust system connector was where steel line from tank becomes a plastic line for engine There it no reason for this fitting to crack as Their is no tension on line. This is clearly a defective piece and don’t want someone else hurt from problem
Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 17, 2023
Fuel pump failed suddenly. Caused engine to stall losing power steering and brakes. Luckily was on flat straight stretch of residential not coming off mountain on dirt track Know warning or lights. From 45 to nothing.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 6, 2022
About a week ago, a faint smell of gasoline was noticed at the front of the vehicle after it was shut off. The smell became stronger and more noticeable with each passing day. Today, gasoline can be smelled coming out of the air vents as well as outside of the vehicle. Wife seems to think the smell started when she started using the Air Conditioning. No signs of fuel leaking. No Check Engine Light. The vehicle has 20450 miles on it. We are trying to get it into the dealership as soon as possible, but at this point we are not driving it out of an abundance of caution.
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 4, 2022
Fuel System Failure on top of 2.0 liter jeep turbocharged engine (approx. 53 - 54K miles), resulted in emptying of fuel tank over top of engine while driving on interstate. Vehicle filled after normal operation to low fuel light and driven for 29 miles to shopping center. Ran out of fuel in entrance/exit of shopping center parking lot. Attempted restart caused large volume of fuel to pour out of engine compartment onto ground. No evidence of tampering, photo of failure attached (believe under the split foil jacket). Vehicle did not leak when off, and delivered by flatbed to RI dealer the next morning. Backtracking the traveled highway path later indicated a probable in- operation failure (based on visible trail). This is consistent with approximate amount spilled in parking area and total fuel loss of 15 gallons based on tank size. Passenger compartment is tight and I do not recall it developing a strong fuel smell until attempting to run stationary. Noted 2020 Jeep Wrangler of same year had a recall notice for a 2.0 liter engine, notice 21V-665, so wondered if a similarity exists. There is concern for extreme fire risk, on-road shutdown, and environmental spill in a sensitive area. I walked the parking area where it stalled to ensure there was no large concentration of fuel mixed with the puddles from the rain. Quoted repairs are 676.00 not under warranty. Vehicle is a company car used only by myself, and has had no engine work or fuel area work, with only routine oil changes and maintenance inspection of air filters. Vehicle is waiting for backordered fuel line parts at Dealer service. This incident resulted in an extreme level of hazard to myself, environment and others, and I am surprised was considered a non warranty issue. Informed repair is outside of 36,000 mile warranty. OK, but I am a mechanical engineer with 35 yrs experience and this is worth a safety check to ensure there is not a pattern similar to several other Chrysler vehicles.
Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 11, 2020
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
Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 31, 2019
I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE ACCELERATOR TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES FOR A MILE OR TWO UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. ONCE I PULLED OVER AND COMPLETELY STOPPED THE RPMS WENT OVER 7000. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE RPMS AGAIN WENT OVER 7000. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR ONCE AGAIN. THE CAR OPERATED JUST FINE AFTER THIS. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.