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.
Structure, Mar 3, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A MOLDY AND MILDEW ODOR COMING FROM THE VENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB POYNTER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM OF SEYMOUR LOCATED AT (873 E TIPTON ST, SEYMOUR, IN 47274) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE AT THE DRIVER'S SIDE WELD SEAMS. THE VEHICLE WAS RE-SEALED AND THE CARPET REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REACH THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800.
Power train, Feb 28, 2020
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND DRIVE AGAIN TO MOVE. VEHICLE HAS 85 MILES ON IT. PURCHASED 4 DAYS AGO. ON DAY AFTER PURCHASE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE GOING STRAIGHT ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED ON A RIGHT TURN ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED AT TAKEOFF AFTER BEING PARKED ONCE, IT STALLED WHEN TRYING TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE 3 TIMES ON REVERSE. ON DAY 3 THE VEHICLE STALLED ON RIGHT TURN ONCE, GOING STRAIGHT ONCE AND WHILE EXITING PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IN MOTION. WARNINGS WHEN CAR STALLED INITIALLY WAS JUST A BLINKING 'D' LIGHT ON DASH AND GEAR SHIFT WITH INSTRUCTIONS TO 'SHIFT TO PARK OR NEUTRAL, PRESS BRAKE + SELECT GEAR'. WHEN CAR STALLED AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN ADDITIONAL MESSAGES INDICATED THAT THE 'ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL' WAS NOT AVAILABLE. WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF MESSAGES INDICATED 'SERVICE PARK BRAKE', 'SERVICE TRANSMISSION RESTART IN PARK WITH VEHICLE AT ZERO SPEED'.
Engine, Feb 8, 2020
DRIVING MY VEHICLE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A THROTTLE ISSUE MESSAGE FLASHED, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DRASTIC LOSS OF POWER CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH ONLY 8 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, CURRENTLY HAS 500 MILES, VEHICLE HAS THE 2.4 LITER ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC 4X4 TRANSMISSION. CONTACTED THE JEEP DEALER WHEE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THERE COULD BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS JEEP, HOWEVER AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND AN ARTICLE ON THE SAME IDENTICAL ISSUE BEING REPORTED BY MULTIPLE JEEP OWNERS OF THE 2019 YEAR MODEL WITH THE SAME 2.4 LITER ENGINE, SEE: HTTPS://WWW.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/CAR-RECALLS-DEFECTS/2019-JEEP-CHEROKEE-RECALLED-OVER-STALLING-RISK/ BASED ON THE ARTICLE THAT I FOUND IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT NEEDS TO BE PERFORMED IN ORDER TO CORRECT THE ISSUE, HOWEVER SOME DRIVERS STILL HAD PROBLEMS AFTER THE UPDATE WAS DONE. I WAS ASKED TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY, SOME JEEP OWNERS ALSO REPORTED THAT AFTER 4 HOURS OF THE VEHICLE SITTING WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY, MAKING IT DIFFICULT FOR THE DEALER TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE DURING DIAGNOSTIC AND THERE MAY NOT BE A CODE STORED THAT CAN BE PULLED BY THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I HOPE THAT NHTSA KEEPS AN EYE FOR THIS, IF THE PROBLEM IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NOW TO CHRYSLER-FIAT AND NO FIX HAS BEEN APPLIED TO CURRENT YEAR MODEL JEEPS, THEN CHRYSLER -FIAT MAY BE ACTING IN "BAD-FAITH" AND KNOWINGLY SELLING VEHICLES THAT SHOULD PROBABLY BE PART OF A NATIONWIDE RECALL CAMPAIGN, ALSO THERE IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN ABOUT A VEHICLE THAT IS RENDERED POWERLESS WHILE OPERATING ON A HIGHWAY OR IN OUR CASE, HAVING TO DRIVE ON THE STEEP HILLS OF THE PACIFIC NW AS PART OF OUR DAILY COMMUTE.
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.