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
304 reports, newest first.
Power train, Dec 15, 2023
SVC 4WD light comes on dash screen. Power to wheels is no longer equal and is interrupted. Drive power can go directly to either front wheel. This causes an abrupt change in direction requiring immediate correction of steering to avoid hitting vehicles in next lane or driving into a parked car along the road. Only quick reaction kept me from hitting the vehicle in the lane next to me! Vehicle has been taken to dealer and inspected. They confirmed the PTU is defective. This was on Aug. 9, 2023. Today is Dec. 14, 2023. I have now been told the new ETA is the second week of Jan. 2024. I was originally told the part was to arrive Sept. 21, 2023. The vehicle is not safe to drive. I'm sure not many people know to report this issue. I understand that Jeep was replacing PTUs at the rate of approx. 700 a month back in may of 2023. I also understand this part has been superseded 7 times. So a total "fix" has not yet been found.
Electrical system, Nov 19, 2023
ESS (auto stop) stops functioning due to battery charging. Replace battery and system works for Approximately 30k miles before needing another replacement battery. May leave vehicle stranded. There are numerous online forums complaining about this issue.
Engine, Nov 14, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the contact became aware that the vehicle was making abnormal sounds and had started jerking. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed back to the residence. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,413.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Oct 14, 2023
Had trans and transfer case PTO unit replaced, cause was transfer case and trans slines stripped. there is a recall for for this issue but not for my model year. 2020 jeep Cherokee trail hawk. recalls are for 2016-17 however because of the year of my jeep it isn't part of the recall but had the same issue regarding the same part # need reimbursement still 4 work. (In 2020, Fiat Chrysler America recalled 67,248 units of the 2014-2017 Jeep Cherokee in the United States over a transmission issue that could result in a loss of power or rollaway situation. At the time, paperwork filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration explained that certain "vehicles were built with a two speed Power Transfer Unit ("PTU") that allows relative movement between the differential input splines and the transmission output shaft." The movement could wear down the input splines, causing a loss of engagement between transmission and differential, thereby cutting power to the front wheels. Worn splines could also prevent the transmission from engaging Park when stationary, leading to a possible rollaway situation. That recall applied only to all-wheel-drive models with the two-speed Power Transfer Unit, which simulates the two-speed transfer case found in many part-time four-wheel-drive trucks and SUVs. Jeep brands the affected systems as "Active Drive II" or "Active Drive Lock." Vehicles among the recall population that featured the PTU model in question benefited from "more robust differential splines." The fix for the recalled vehicles wasn't replacing the worn PTU splines with the upgraded versions. The fix was a software update that worked around the fault to either alert the driver, to shift power to the rear wheels when the malfunction occurred, or to automatically apply the parking brake if the fault happened while the driver was attempting to shift into park. What's stranger is that Jeep has issued a new recall for a subset of the original recall population,)
Steering, Oct 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle steering wheel had become firm. The power steering lock warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 23,000.
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.
Service brakes, Engine, Sep 29, 2023
The vehicles emergency brake engaged while driving down the highway at 70 mph on its own. This caused the vehicle to come to an immediate stop almost causing a serious wreck. We have had the vehicle in the shop for it dying and this happening when stopped or at very sloe speeds but never like this. Each time we have been told there is nothing wrong with the vehicle since no codes were thrown. Clearly this is not the case.
Power train, Sep 26, 2023
PTU Issue: A recall was already done on this problem with a Jeep Model years 2016/2017. I now have the same problem on my 2020 Jeep. The transmission slips and the 4 wheel drive is not reliable. I was told by the dealer I needed the PTU replaced. The dealership diagnosed the issue as the PTU and wants 4k to fix. It is the same issue described in your recall. Jeep USA and the dealer acknowledge the issue but where its not a recall on this model told me " I have to pay." and I need fixed asap! I could not even get an appt for 2 + months. They avoided it.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidance, Aug 22, 2023
Vehicle stopped at a red light, auto stop/start activated. Took foot off brake when light turned green, car struggled to restart, all lights/system went off and finally restarted. Kicked the auto emergency break on and the auto stop/start warning light came on. Has happened 5-10x in the last month. Started around July 2023. Sometimes forward collision breaking turns on out of nowhere, when cars are 2 car lengths in front of me.
Service brakes, Aug 17, 2023
My emergency brake engages when I’m actively driving. This has happened sporadically over the past 2 years & I feel that both my safety and the safety of others is at risk. I don’t feel safe driving my car. I took my car to the dealership to get it looked at but they said everything came up fine on a diagnostic test so I’m not sure where to go from here
Power train, Aug 9, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift out of gear. The vehicle failed to remain in automatic and instead shifted into 4WD and snow mode. The vehicle failed to engage or disengage. While in park, the vehicle shifted into neutral. While in the park, the parking brake engaged without driver interaction. The START/STOP warning light was illuminated. The 4WD not available message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the fork in the transfer case might be fractured or stuck. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transfer case needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Power train, Engine, Aug 4, 2023
Our Jeep has had multiple accounts of shifting hard, hesitation while shifting, and a on and off service 4wd light. We reported these issues to the Jeep dealership it was purchased from and they said nothing was wrong after 4 scheduled maintenance visits. We brought our Jeep to a neighboring dealership who immediately found the issue and said it was a major transmission component that went bad. Fast forward to a week later and the part has been fixed but the issue is still happening!
Power train, Engine, Aug 2, 2023
When coasting at low speeds the vehicle makes multiple click sounds and now there has been a clunking sound seems like when. Trying to downshift or upshift almost as it can't find a gear. When in a stoped position I put it in drive ease the gas and it will jump into gear. Has been multiple complaints about clicking and clinking with the vehicle and nothing fixing the problem unless ptu,transmission,u joint or driveshaft is replaced this is scary to spend so much on a vehicle for my family and worry about when it's going to break down.
Power train, Jul 3, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 50 MPH with the cruise control activated, the vehicle began to decelerate independently while making an abnormal sound. The contact stated that the 4WD Auto warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to her destination. The contact also stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle shifted out of park(P) into neutral(N). The contact took the vehicle to an unknown local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,201.
Power train, Jun 28, 2023
Transmission intermittently does not engage immediately into 1st gear causing engine to rev up and unintended acceleration to occur. Vehicle has been taken to dealer for service on this issue several times but problem still remains. This is a safety issue as several near accidents have been experienced. Issue seems to occur in tight spaces such as parking areas or when going from reverse to forward. Issue does not generate a fault code and dealer will not take action unless a code is present. Issue happens frequently and is known to happen with this vehicle model.
Steering, Jun 22, 2023
The Power Steering Control Module adn the Rack & Pinion Assembly had to be replaced.
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Jun 6, 2023
The start and stop feature in the vehicle keeps malfunctioning and has done so every since I purchased car in 2021. Took it to dealer and they replaced the battery and that still did not stop it from malfunctioning meaning it go completely dead this is a safety hazard and now that my car is out of warranty the dealer is giving me issues when fixing it even though it should have been fixed the first time. This is a know problem to the dodge.dealer I went to bc one of the tech told me alot of people have this problem with Cherokee. The malfunction with the start and stop feature has caused Mt Car to go dead on highways and freeways which is dangerous.
Tires, May 16, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: Conti Pro Contact TX, Tire Size: 245/40/ZR19, DOT Number: A3E4WBJC0723. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle experienced a flat tire. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the front passenger’s side tire had a blowout. The contact stated that with the assistance of a fellow motorist, the contact was able to change the tire with the spare and drove to the residence. The tire was taken back to the dealer where it was recently purchased; the tire remained in the dealer possession for an inspection. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The tire failure mileage was approximately 1,800. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Steering, May 15, 2023
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 electronic steering power transfer unit was replaced, and the vehicle was fixed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.
Power train, Electrical system, Back over prevention, May 4, 2023
The check engine light came on , then my parking brake light, crash parking light, and stop and stop light on my dash. It wouldn't start at first but tried three time and it did. I drove home with the vehicle, and it wasn't shifting properly. I had it towed to the dealership and was told it was electrical after they tested it. Three days later I was told it was the transmission. Now I'm being told it is the mounts as well.
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.
Wheels, Apr 28, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine service and the mechanic discovered that the lug nuts on all four wheels had swollen and the factory lug tool could not be used to remove the lug nuts. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 47,400.
Power train, Apr 25, 2023
While driving when I come to a stop and i then start to accelerate when the light changes, the vehicle will start to move, then there is a load hard clunk and then the vehicle looses power. The safety of myself or other ps is put at risk because I could be in moving traffic when this happens. It has not been confirmed by a mechanic, I did ask at the dealer, but they said because the issue is sporadic they would not be able to figure out what the problem was and then recommended a $500 dollar transmission service and said that may not fix the problem. There were no warning lights. This problem happens sporadically, it will do it and then be good for a couple months or longer before doing it again. I emailed molar and asked what they thought, but never heard anything from them. I did see by googling that Jeep had issues with previous years, but it did not cover my year vehicle. I did see just tonight that there was a vehicle in Ohio that had reported this same type of issue to your office. I have 700 miles left on my warranty and I am very concerned about this issue and do not know what to do about. The dealer was not a help, only had a poke and hope approach, so I did not have them look at my vehicle. Any help you can give would be appreciated.
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.