2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 238 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 26 Grand Cherokee model years with reports.
Of the 2020 reports, 24 involved a crash and 5 involved a fire. 13 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine coolingJun 8, 2023
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
An engine stall can increase the risk of a crash.
Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.
Campaign 23V411000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, diesel, delivery, fuel pumpJun 9, 2022
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and 2014-2019 Ram 1500 vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines. A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
Fuel starvation may result in an unexpected loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Dealers will replace the HPFP, and inspect and replace, if necessary, additional fuel system components, free of charge. Interim notification letters informing owners of the safety risk were mailed July 21, 2022. Owner notification letters for were mailed for Jeep Grand Cherokee owners starting January 11, 2024. Owner notification letters for Ram 1500 owners were mailed March 7, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLS's number for this recall is Z46.
Campaign 22V406000 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
Representative owner complaints: power train
39 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Apr 25, 2023
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while at a stop light, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact was able to pull over into a parking lot. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted, and the manufacture stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was 55,803.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Mar 19, 2023
1.The electrical/engine/powertrain systems failed 3 times. The vehicle is available for inspection. 2.As the problem progressed, the car would only go forward, no ability to go in reverse, or to be put in park. 3.The dealership replaced the ABS Module, then later the Engine Control Module. 4.Event 1: September 1, 2022 Warning light for the stop/start feature came on, also the ABS light and check engine light. Dealership kept the car for the day, did a diagnosis, returned the vehicle stating it was safe to drive, and that an ABS Module had been ordered. Would contact me to schedule the repair. Event 2: September 8, 2022 Dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, all warning lights came on, as well as all lights on the gearshift panel/center console, which kept blinking. Car would only go forward. Dealership installed ABS Module and returned the car to me. Event 3: September 29,2022 Warning light for the stop/start feature and check engine light came on again. I took the car to my local dealership with major concerns that the previous repair was not the only problem occurring and left it there. The Engine Control Module was eventually replaced. 5. I had no use of my Jeep Grand Cherokee from September 29 until November 8, 2022. 6. I have a major concern about the safety of this vehicle.
Power train, Jan 11, 2023
Transmission failed while driving in traffic. Car decelerated from 45MPH to 0, gas peddle would not accelerate, break was locked in place, steering wheel locked, no warning lights appeared, flashing D on gear shift (was in drive), alert appeared on screen “Shift to P then desired gear”, car would not shift gears and gear shift was locked in place then pressed the Push to Start button, car restarted and then shook and jerked forward before allowing me to switch gears from Drive to Park then back to Drive. I was almost rear-ended by two PickUp trucks and SUV. Trucks behind me swerved out of the way to avoid hitting me and almost drove into an 18-wheeler. This occurred 1/10/2023. Problem first occurred in October 2022 in grocery store parking lot while shifting between Drive and Reverse gear. Same thing happened as stated above.
Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Forward collision avoidance, Dec 14, 2022, crash
While slowly turning into a parking slot in front of a building, the vehicle surged forward, jumping the curb and striking a metal handrail and the corner of the building. Substantial damage resulted to the front, hood and cooling systems.
Power train, Aug 28, 2022
Faulty transmission at 14,500 miles. Car shifted abruptly from park to reverse in harsh and sometimes in a lunging manner. Similar abrupt shifting occurred from 2nd to 3rd gear. Problem resulted in need for a totally new transmission.
Power train, Air bags, Jul 12, 2022, crash
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. While turning left at 10 MPH, the contact's vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal and it traveled to the floorboard. The contact stated that an unknown yellow warning light flashed on the instrument panel during the failure. Due to the failure, another motorist hit the rear driver-side door of her vehicle. The bottom and door air bags deployed upon impact; however, the no other air bags deployed. The other driver was taken to the hospital by ambulance; his injuries were unknown. The contact sustained no injuries in the accident. A police report was filed. The vehicle was initially towed to an independent tow yard and later towed to her home where it had yet to be diagnosed or repaired. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Sep 7, 2021
The vehicle starts jerking at a high rate of speed that become dangerous. Often times the vehicle will shut off on its own. Also the unconnect system goes out a lot. Another problem going wrong with the jeep is that the back window Always makes noise as if it would crack or something.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Aug 10, 2021
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that after refueling and attempting to drive out of the service station, the vehicle independently accelerated to 60 mph. The contact was able to shift into neutral and drove the vehicle into a field and the vehicle returned to normal function. Additionally, the gear shifter was not operating as intended. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The mechanic located the wiring that failed and was able to return the vehicle to normal function. The contact also wanted to state that the dealer was unable to specify what caused the vehicle to independently accelerate. The gear shifter was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 4,000.
Power train, Engine, Sep 14, 2020
TRANSMISSION LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING. WAS NOT ABLE TO KEEP RATE OF SPEED. CAR STOPPED AND WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR STRANDED IN TRAFFIC.
Power train, Engine, Aug 19, 2020, fire
TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND STALLED. THE "AUTO PARK ON ,PLACE VEHICLE IN PARK' MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACTED ATTEMPTED TO RESTART VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING SMELL DETECTED AND SMOKE EMERGING FROM VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BROWN'S JEEP CHRYSLER DODGE RAM (483 NY-112, PATCHOGUE, NY 11772(631) 289-8500) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED HOWEVER NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,800. *DT THE CONSUMER STATED THE VALVE BODY, TCM AND BATTERY WERE REPAIRED/REPLACED. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO HAVE DIFFICULTY ACCELERATING AND DECELERATING. *JS
Power train, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 10, 2020
AFTER ONLY 350 MILES MY ENGINE STARTED SPUTTERING AND HAD TO PULL OVER. BY THE TIME WE STOPPED THE CAR THE SPUTTERING WAS VIOLENTLY SHAKING THE VEHICLE. WE HAD TO GET IT TOWED ONLY FOR THE DEALER SHIP TO TAKE SEVERAL HOURS TO REPLACE A SPARK PLUG. - AT ALMOST ALL TIME THERE THE AIR CONDITIONER NEVER SEEMS TO GET TO THE DESIRED TEMPERATURE FOR MORE THAN 20 SECONDS. WHEN AT A STOP, THE A/C IS NON EXISTENCE AND TEMPS DROP SIGNIFICANTLY. UNLESS YOU HAVE IT SET TO MAX A/C IT WILL NEVER FEEL COLD/HOT. - THE TRANSMISSION IS EXTREMELY ROUGH AT ALL TIMES, IT CAN JERK YOU BACK AND FORTH WHILE IT SWITCHES GEAR.
Power train, Apr 15, 2020
WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED AND THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD 460 MILES TOTAL AT THAT TIME. THE VEHICLE NOW HAS 940 TOTAL MILES AND I AM BEGINNING TO FEEL HARD SHIFTING AND SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING, THAT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE NEW TRANSMISSION THEY PUT IN THE VEHICLE IS GOING BAD ALREADY. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. I WAS ON A CITY STREET GOING STRAIGHT AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 7, 2020
WHEN USING THE REAR PARK ASSIST, WITH MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE HAS SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATED WHILE GOING IN REVERSE, REQUIRING ME TO HARD BREAK TO AVOID COLLISION. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 7, 2020
WITH MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY ACCELERATES UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. WHILE IN STANDARD OR SPORT MODE, IN SECOND GEAR GOING ABOUT 20MPH, THERE IS A REPRODUCIBLE RPM SURGE THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD. THIS SOMEWHAT FEELS LIKE BEING REAR ENDED.