AI Damage2020 Jeep Cherokee: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee filed 333 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 382 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 333
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 382
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 59% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 14% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 7% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 3% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 3% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 2% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 198 complaints (59% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 55.
- Engine: 46 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Electrical system: 35 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 141.
- Service brakes: 27 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Steering: 22 complaints (7% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- 3.2 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 9-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 333 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 198 | 0 | 55 |
| Engine | 46 | 0 | 12 |
| Electrical system | 35 | 0 | 141 |
| Service brakes | 27 | 1 | 8 |
| Steering | 22 | 2 | 10 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 10 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Suspension | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| Wheels | 5 | 0 | 7 |
| Engine and cooling | 4 | 0 | 42 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 11 |
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 55 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The airbags did not deploy in my 2020 Jeep Cherokee. This resulted didn’t some injuries to me in a driver of the other car. The other car driver airbags did deploy but my 2020 Jeep Cherokee airbags did not deploy vehicle damage was rated such that the car was totaled with heavy front damage on the driver side front.
The contact stated that while his mother was driving at approximately 25 MPH, the steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a nearby tree where it came to a stop. No air bags deployed.
The air bags did not deploy. There front end of the vehicle was crashed in. The driver sustained a crack sternum, bruised lungs, and hurt their foot while depressing on the brake, the contact sustained an injured right shoulder due to the seat belt, internal bruises to their sternum, ribs, and stomach, as well fluids…
Vehicle was in a front end collision resulting in $16k in damages, driver transported to the hospital with leg and head injuries. The airbags did not deploy. NONE.
My 2020 JeepCherokee has been disabled at Jeff Wyler Springfield Jeep since 10/13 after suffering a drivetrain failure on 10/11.My vehicle exhibited a severe mechanical grinding noise,locking front wheels,& a 'Service 4WD' warning light while driving, un-commanded engagement of snow mode,& of the e-brake upon parking.
2 weeks ago my vehicle broke down while driving due to a failed PTU, I went to accelerate at a stop sign my vehicle moved about an inch and then my vehicle would not move any further my engine just revved, four-wheel drive warning lights came on and then my car kept putting itself in park mode.
The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the service 4WD warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was confirmed to be associated with an unrepaired recall.
While driving, emergency parking brake engaged. Required vehicle to be driven on and parked on road shoulder. Grinding sound was coming from engaged parking brake. Vehicle was towed to nearest dealership.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 189 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 9% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Cherokee has 472 complaints (12 years in the data). This year has 333, below average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
- Door Latch, Handle And Ajar Additional Service Information
- Rear Taillamp Condensation Clearing Procedure On occasion, vehicle exterior taillamp assemblies get fogged…
Rear Taillamp Condensation Clearing Procedure On occasion, vehicle exterior taillamp assemblies get fogged with a light layer of condensation on the SYMPTOM: inside of the lenses Fig. 1. This may be reported after the…
- Flash
Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs)…
- Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC)…
Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning…
- POWER TRANSFER UNIT - NONE
- Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.
- Verify "Z" part number availability. Order a "Z" part number for all Exchange Orders
Warranty, Mopar, Customer pay and Service contract. Order"68" part number for New unsold units only
- Intermittent Uconnect Box Requires Service Message
TBM Setting Stored Or Pending DTCs B22A9, B1560, B1561, B1562
- ESC Light Illuminated
DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
- Before replacing any parts please refer to SOL S2518000008 if it applies to the vehicle you are working on…
Before replacing any parts please refer to SOL S2518000008 if it applies to the vehicle you are working on based on a VIN search in Service Library. Before replacing this part due to Engine Light On with P1CEA (Boost…
- Exterior Front Lamps Condensation Clearing Procedure *Some customers may report that on occasion vehicle…
Exterior Front Lamps Condensation Clearing Procedure *Some customers may report that on occasion vehicle exterior front lamps (headlamps, fog lamps, grille lamps, logo lamps or signature lamps) assemblies are fogged…
NHTSA lists 382 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 333. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (32%), knocking, grinding or other noise (11%), loss of power / limp mode (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
NHTSA lists 382 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Jeep Cherokee from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.