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2020 Jeep Cherokee

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Cherokee years

Owner complaints for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee are substantially higher than the model-year median of 113.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

87 reports with mileage · 207 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 169 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 34 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports

Power Train complaints

169 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 9, 2022
Power Train

My 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk began experiencing a "clunking" noise coming from the center of the vehicle. The first time I took it in, the dealer could not replicate the noise. The second time, the dealer did hear it and determined it was the Power Transfer Unit. The dealer *claimed* it was the result of uneven tire wear f…

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My 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk began experiencing a "clunking" noise coming from the center of the vehicle. The first time I took it in, the dealer could not replicate the noise. The second time, the dealer did hear it and determined it was the Power Transfer Unit. The dealer *claimed* it was the result of uneven tire wear from the factory Firestone tires. The dealer has offered to replace the PTU under the warranty; however, they stated they "may not" replace the new PTU if we continue on the same tires. Even with 34k miles, the front tires have 10/32 and the rear tires have 12/32. They said that we needed to purchase new tires through them at $920. When I mentioned about getting tires from another tire store, he needed to check with his manager to see if the PTU would still be warrantied. The PTU is a known problem for the Cherokee but the dealer has been trying to seek ways to get more money.

NHTSA ODI #11473155

Mileage unknown · Jan 24, 2022
EngineForward Collision AvoidancePower Train

In December 2021 the "AWD not available" warning message came on. During a trip, the cruise control did not work. Took car to dealer on January 4, 2022. Diagnostics revealed the following: oil leak in the engine, repaired under the warranty. Body controller module and body wiring failed, replaced under warranty. Power transfer u…

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In December 2021 the "AWD not available" warning message came on. During a trip, the cruise control did not work. Took car to dealer on January 4, 2022. Diagnostics revealed the following: oil leak in the engine, repaired under the warranty. Body controller module and body wiring failed, replaced under warranty. Power transfer unit failed, power transfer unit replaced under warranty. Car returned to me repaired on January 14, 2022.

NHTSA ODI #11448615

20,000 miles · Jan 19, 2021
Power Train

I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE LAST JANUARY AND MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE SENSOR CAME ON IN NOVEMBER. MY DEALERSHIP GOT ME IN THE FIRST OF DECEMBER AND TOLD ME IT'S MY PTU. THEY STATED THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER TILL THE FIRST OF JANUARY. I ASKED IF I COULD GET A LOANER TILL THE PART CAME IN AND THEY STATED THEY DON'T PROVIDE…

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I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE LAST JANUARY AND MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE SENSOR CAME ON IN NOVEMBER. MY DEALERSHIP GOT ME IN THE FIRST OF DECEMBER AND TOLD ME IT'S MY PTU. THEY STATED THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER TILL THE FIRST OF JANUARY. I ASKED IF I COULD GET A LOANER TILL THE PART CAME IN AND THEY STATED THEY DON'T PROVIDE LOANERS FOR THAT LONG OF TIME. I LET IT GO AND DECIDED TODAY TO GIVE THEM A CALL WITH AN UPDATE ON MY PART FOR MY 4 WHEEL DRIVE. THEY STATED STILL DON'T HAVE A DATE FOR WHEN THE PART WILL BE IN. I EXPLAINED THIS IS CRAZY BECAUSE I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 4 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE TO HAVE FOR THE MAINE WINTER AND HAVEN'T HAD 4 WHEEL DRIVE AT ALL THIS WINTER. HE SAID HE WAS SORRY AND WILL CALL AS SOON AS THEY KNOW MORE MAINE

NHTSA ODI #11388876

5,098 miles · Jan 1, 2021
Power TrainSuspensionUnknown Or Other

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11385991

7,674 miles · Dec 11, 2020
Power Train

THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE MADE A NOTIFICATION ON THE CLUSTER SAYING 4WD SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE, SERVICE REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SHIFT RUFF AND THE ONLY WAY YOU COULD GET IT TO POINT A TO B IS IF AS SOON AS YOU STARTED IT YOU PUT IT IN SPORTS MODE. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO THE SHOP ON 10-15-2020 AND CAME OUT OF …

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THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE MADE A NOTIFICATION ON THE CLUSTER SAYING 4WD SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE, SERVICE REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SHIFT RUFF AND THE ONLY WAY YOU COULD GET IT TO POINT A TO B IS IF AS SOON AS YOU STARTED IT YOU PUT IT IN SPORTS MODE. THE VEHICLE WENT INTO THE SHOP ON 10-15-2020 AND CAME OUT OF THE SHOP ON 12-4-2020 DUE TO THEM NOT BEING ABLE TO GET THE PART WHICH WAS A POWER TRANSFER UNIT. THE PART GOT DELAYED MULTIPLE TIMES. AFTER I GOT THE CAR BACK ON THE 4TH IT STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END LIKE SOMETHING WAS LOOSE. I MESSAGED THE MECHANIC AND ADVISED HIM OF THE ISSUE AND HE TOLD ME TO TAKE IT IN THE FOLLOWING DAY AND HE WOULD LOOK AT IT. UNFORTUNATELY HE GOT SICK AND I FINALLY GOT BACK AHOLD OF HIM ON MONDAY THE 7TH TO LOOK AT IT. HE SAID IT SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING IS OUT OF TORQUE AND THAT HE WOULD GET AHOLD OF ME THE FOLLOWING DAY TO BRING IT IN SO I COULD HAVE A LOANER VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE HEARD FROM HIM. MY CAR ALSO MADE AN ERROR CODE OF AUTO START/STOP SYSTEM NOT RESPONDING YESTERDAY THE 10TH OF DECEMBER WHICH I NOTIFIED THE MECHANIC AND HAVE YET TO GET A RESPONSE.

NHTSA ODI #11382976

1,500 miles · Nov 10, 2020
Power TrainSteeringVehicle Speed Control

ON AND OFF THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING STICKS WHEN TRYING TO STAY IN THE LANE WHICH LEADS TO OVERSTEERING AND CONSTANT WEAVING IN THE LANE AND SOMETIMES GOING OVER THE LINES. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SHIFT VERY HARD AND AT TIMES WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. I WAS TOLD THESE ARE NORMAL IN THIS VEHICLE.... IT IS NOT NORMAL!

NHTSA ODI #11373912

85 miles · Sep 14, 2020
Power Train

VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A CLANKING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A FULL STOP. SOUND SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM DIRECTLY UNDER THE VEHICLE. SOUND GOES AWAY WITH ESC TURNED OFF. JEEP DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE SOUND, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11354871

950 miles · Jun 11, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11328321

75 miles · Feb 28, 2020
Power Train

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 WH…

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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'.

NHTSA ODI #11312125

Official recalls

3

26V290000 · Power Train

May 7, 2026

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: 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.

20V191000 · Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera

Sep 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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

19V637000 · Steering:rack And Pinion:pinion Shaft; Steering:rack And Pinion:rack

Aug 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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Steering:rack And Pinion:rack

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.

Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Steering:rack And Pinion:pinion Shaft

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.

Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.