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: other or unspecified
36 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2023
My vehicle is cutting off in the middle of traffic. I understand the start stop feature but it cuts off when I come to a stop and I need a jump to get going again.
Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2023, crash
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 bounced off my bumper and then hit into me again. The car and my seat belt did their jobs and I was not injured. However, afterwards the top of my head felt like it had a bad brush burn. It lasted for several days. When sitting in my car directly after the accident I noticed something odd. Both driver and passenger sun visors were off their hooks and in same position of pushed forward towards windshield under the hook. Because it happened to both of them and they were in the same position I have to surmise that the laws of physics during the accident caused this and that the impact knocked them off the hook and the other vehicle bouncing off and then hitting again caused them to pull back and then fly forward. I believe the movement of the visors so fast is what caused the brush burn on my head. I'm not sure if this is generally something that happens during an accident, but it seems pretty dangerous to me. Luckily I am not that tall and was positioned that the visor skimmed the top of my head. I cannot imagine though if someone was taller what that could potentially do if the visor comes flying at someone's face that fast. This has not been reproduced or confirmed by anyone. My vehicle is still at the body shop awaiting repairs.
Electrical system, Wheels, Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2023
The tire pressure monitoring system light came on. I took it to the dealership and they said there is currently no fix for this problem. The front driver side tire also no longer registers on the warning screen. They said if a tire loses air while I'm driving, it's very possible that I will have no warning that it's happening.
Other or unspecified, Dec 6, 2022
The rare windshield shattered. The vehicle is currently at a Jeep dealership because after the incident I opened a complaint with Jeep corporate and was told to have it towed into the dealership. My child was sitting in the back seat when we heard a loud noise and seen the glass was shattered. Jeep was viewed by police. There were no warning that after warming my car up prior to leave my house that my back windshield would shatter not even a minute into my drive.
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, 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
Other or unspecified, Feb 3, 2021
PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 10/2020, WE HAD OUR FIRST SNOW 12/2020 GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD, TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP, WAS TOLD THE ICE AND SNOW GOT UNDER A SEAL ON THE WINDSHIELD MADE IT EXPAND AND CAUSED THE LEAK, THEY "REPAIRED" IT. HAD NO PROBLEMS, UNTIL IT SNOWED AGAIN 1/2021, THIS TIME GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE ARE PUDDLES OF WATER ON BOTH THE PASSENGER'S AND DRIVER'S FLOOR BOARDS? NOT SURE WHY A VEHICLE THAT WAS SOLD WITH A "COLD WEATHER PACKAGE" CAN NOT HANDLE THE SNOW AND ICE??? MAYBE IT IS JUST ME BUT I DO NOT THINK A VEHICLE WITH JUST OVER 7000 MILES SHOULD BE LEAKING WATER INSIDE?? MAYBE I JUST HAVE TOO HIGH STANDARDS? MY HUSBAND DOES CLEAN THE VEHICLE WHEN IT SNOWS, WE ARE NOT THE PEOPLE THAT DRIVE WITH 4 INCHES OF SNOW STILL ON THE VEHICLE, WE MAKE SURE THE IT IS CLEAR OF SNOW AND ICE.
Suspension, Power train, Other or unspecified, Jan 1, 2021
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 TIPS. WELL NEEDLESS TO SAY THEY PERFORMED THE RECALL, WHICH I WAS SUSPECT OF BECAUSE I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO HIDE A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE. WELL ANYWAY THEY REPAIRED THE VEHILCE TO THERE LIKING, THEY REPLACED THE EXHAUST, AND REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES WITH 18" RIMS AND STREET TIRES. AND THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE. I BELIEVE THIS WAS DONE TO ALLEVIATE ANY DEFECT THAT THE ALL TERRAIN TIRES WOULD SHOW AND CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS. AKA WARRANTY. NOW I DONT HAVE THE OFF ROAD CAPABILITIES AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE SAFETY THAT I HAD WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR. WITH THESE STREET TIRES WHICH ARE NOT RATED FOR SAND GRAVEL SNOW ETC, DONT WORK ON 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND CAUSE ME TO LOSE MILEAGE, NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT WAS PURCHASED, THE 4 TIRES WERE CHANGED, ONLY 4 RIMS WERE CHANGED AND I HAVE NO OFF ROAD CAPABILITIES. I PAID FOR THE TIRES THAT WERE ON THE VEHICLE, I PAID FOR THE CAR TO HAVE OFF ROAD AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE CAQPABILTYS AND NOW I HAVE NOON. NOT EVEN THE RIGHT SPARE.
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.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Aug 27, 2020
WHEN TURNING IT MAKES A SOUND. WHEN BRAKING IT MAKES A SOUND. WHILE IDLING FAN GET VERY LOAD. WHEN SPEED INCREASES MAKES A SOUND.
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.