2020 Jeep Cherokee Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2020 Jeep Cherokee has a complaint index of 40, ranking 7th out of 11 model years, and earns a "Good" verdict. NHTSA logs 303 complaints, 3 recalls, and 9 crashes, with Transmission & Powertrain issues making up 57% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #7 of 11 Cherokee years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 303
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 9
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 9 / 0
Top 2020 Jeep Cherokee problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain174 (57%)
- Engine52 (17%)
- Other36 (12%)
- Electrical System34 (11%)
- Brakes30 (10%)
- Steering22 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires13 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (3%)
- Fuel System10 (3%)
- Airbags7 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Engine compartment fires occurred while driving or parked, sometimes preceded by a burning odor and, in one case, a four-wheel-drive overheating warning light.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple front-end and head-on crashes, in some cases despite significant vehicle damage and driver injuries.
- The steering wheel intermittently stiffened or seized up, with a steering warning light illuminating before loss of control.
- In one case the vehicle made an unintended sharp turn while accelerating from a stop, resulting in a crash.
- A braking system warning triggered unexpected automatic braking during an evasive maneuver, coinciding with reported steering resistance.
2020 Jeep Cherokee recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V290000May 7, 2026Transmission & Powertrain61,711 vehicles
Power train
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 20V191000Sep 10, 2020Collision Avoidance & Cameras319,610 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 19V637000Aug 29, 2019Steering5,294 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
2020 Jeep Cherokee fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2020 compared with other Cherokee years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
- Compared with other Cherokee model years, 2020 rates "Good" with a complaint index of 40 and ranks 7th of 11 years, well below the 2014 model's index of 100.
- What problems does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have?
- NHTSA complaints point mainly to Transmission & Powertrain issues (57% of complaints), followed by Engine problems (17%), which included 6 reported fires.
- Does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2020 Cherokee, covering the power transfer unit, a radio display software update, and a steering rack gear that could break.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
- NHTSA lists 303 complaints for the 2020 Cherokee, including 9 crashes, 6 fires, and 9 injuries, with no deaths reported.
- What is the median mileage for transmission failures on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
- Owners who reported Transmission & Powertrain problems had a median mileage at failure of 63,000 miles.