POWER TRAIN
2020 Jeep Cherokee
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 278 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, most frequently naming the powertrain (other), engine and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 388 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 2020 | 5 | 15 |
| Nov 2020 | 3 | 18 |
| Dec 2020 | 3 | 21 |
| Jan 2021 | 4 | 25 |
| Feb 2021 | 2 | 27 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 28 |
| Jul 2021 | 3 | 31 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 32 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 33 |
| Dec 2021 | 1 | 34 |
| Jan 2022 | 3 | 37 |
| Jun 2022 | 4 | 41 |
| Jul 2022 | 1 | 42 |
| Aug 2022 | 3 | 45 |
| Oct 2022 | 3 | 48 |
| Dec 2022 | 2 | 50 |
| Jan 2023 | 2 | 52 |
| Feb 2023 | 1 | 53 |
| Mar 2023 | 2 | 55 |
| Apr 2023 | 3 | 58 |
| May 2023 | 3 | 61 |
| Jun 2023 | 4 | 65 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 66 |
| Aug 2023 | 5 | 71 |
| Sep 2023 | 2 | 73 |
| Oct 2023 | 3 | 76 |
| Nov 2023 | 2 | 78 |
| Dec 2023 | 2 | 80 |
| Jan 2024 | 3 | 83 |
| Feb 2024 | 1 | 84 |
| Mar 2024 | 2 | 86 |
| Apr 2024 | 2 | 88 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 89 |
| Jun 2024 | 1 | 90 |
| Jul 2024 | 3 | 93 |
| Aug 2024 | 4 | 97 |
| Sep 2024 | 3 | 100 |
| Oct 2024 | 6 | 106 |
| Nov 2024 | 2 | 108 |
| Dec 2024 | 2 | 110 |
| Jan 2025 | 10 | 120 |
| Feb 2025 | 3 | 123 |
| Mar 2025 | 8 | 131 |
| Apr 2025 | 6 | 137 |
| May 2025 | 11 | 148 |
| Jun 2025 | 2 | 150 |
| Jul 2025 | 12 | 162 |
| Aug 2025 | 9 | 171 |
| Sep 2025 | 9 | 180 |
| Oct 2025 | 10 | 190 |
| Nov 2025 | 11 | 201 |
| Dec 2025 | 10 | 211 |
| Jan 2026 | 8 | 219 |
| Feb 2026 | 6 | 225 |
| Mar 2026 | 3 | 228 |
| Apr 2026 | 5 | 233 |
| May 2026 | 9 | 242 |
| Jun 2026 | 14 | 256 |
| Jul 2026 | 16 | 272 |
| Aug 2026 | 6 | 278 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Powertrain (other)15244.7%
- Engine4112.1%
- Electrical339.7%
- Brakes267.6%
- Steering226.5%
- Driver assistance195.6%
- Fuel system92.6%
- Airbags72.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
3 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govBACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:PINION SHAFT; STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Fwd service light is on and my jeep keeps jerking and at times acts like it doesn’t want to go
- NHTSA ID
- 11756429
- Incident
- Jul 29, 2026
Warning light SVC 4WD and dashboard message 4WD System Unavailable Service Required. Jeep Dealer found diagnostic code C14A7. Dealer checked Power Transfer Unit (PTU) operation and PTU fails to acuate. Needs to be replaced and part ordered. Time for repair could not be determined. I was told at least two months, possibly longer. In researching this issue I found there is a safety recall for PTU on 2020 Jeep Cherokees, but my VIN is not included in the recall. NHTSA Campaign Number 26V290000. I am concerned continuing to drive my vehicle and hopefully not experience a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway. Also concerned about further damage to car, i.e. transmission, if I continue to drive. Dealer told me if vehicle leaks fluids, hear grinding noises, and/or it feels like gears slipping to bring vehicle back in.
- NHTSA ID
- 11755891
- Incident
- Aug 10, 2026
Service 4 wheel drive light came on. Car loses acceleration randomly. Weird winding noise. Higher than normal rpm. See there is recall for this but states mine not included. Had mechanic look at it and was told it’s the PTU. Normal issue with these. Unfortunately over 10000 on back order. Hhmmm
- NHTSA ID
- 11755606
- Incident
- May 16, 2026
Sudden total loss of power steering assist while driving over a small pothole on Pearman Dairy Road. Full details, diagnostic trouble codes (U0420-00, U0010-00, U1428-00, B2309-64), and Jeep case reference 97368807 are fully documented in the attached formal PDF letter
- NHTSA ID
- 11755280
- Incident
- Jul 8, 2026
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the contact was informed that there was an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact was unsure if the oil was coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to the residence and parked, and the contact observed puddles of oil underneath the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The dealer stated that the radiator, engine, turbo, thermostat, torque converter, and other unknown parts needed to be replaced, and that the engine control valve was possibly stuck, resulting in oil and coolant contamination. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754914
- Incident
- Jul 27, 2026
- Mileage
- 115,000 mi
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving approximately 15 MPH, the steering wheel suddenly turned to the right and the vehicle became difficult to steer. There was an abnormal roaring sound coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact waited until the vehicle decelerated before stopping the vehicle. The contact waited for a while before being able to continue driving and coasting into a parking space. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle with PTU failure. The vehicle was not repaired because parts were on backorder for 2 months. The dealer suggested that the contact not drive the vehicle until the vehicle was repaired to avoid further damage. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 111,299.
- NHTSA ID
- 11754362
- Incident
- Jul 23, 2026
- Mileage
- 111,299 mi
The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) failed on my 2020 Jeep Cherokee. Started hearing grinding and roaring noises coming from the front wheels and was having trouble stopping. There is a recall already going for the same make and model but for other specific vin numbers, mine not included. The problem was inspected and confirmed by the dealer previously bought from The original warning light was ‘svc 4wd’ and came onXXX and within a couple minutes the noice and issue started. When I called the Jeep recall and warranty specialists they said they wouldn’t do anything until “the car is in an accident or myself, my [XXX] daughter or someone else is seriously injured or dies before they open an investigation” INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11754076
- Incident
- Jul 29, 2026
My 2020 Jeep cherokee car made a sound and seemed to lose some power a warning came on serv 4wd took to mechanic was told PTU is causing error I put my vin in and it says no recalls I have contacted Jeep Corporate who said they do not have a fix for this at this time and would email me. My husband has the same year make, and model and also has this error. I did call Jeep Corporate and spoke to a Mia who said she had no information on the issue and gave me a case #
- NHTSA ID
- 11753847
- Incident
- Jul 22, 2026
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; STRUCTURE:BODY
Door Latch, Handle And Ajar Additional Service Information.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 lamps have been turned on and brought up to operating temperature, turned off and then rapidly cooled by cold water (such as rain, or the water from a vehicle wash). Lens fogging can also occur under certain atmospheric conditions after a vehicle has been parked outside overnight (i.e. a warm humid day followed by clear cool night). This will usually clear as atmospheric conditions change to allow the condensation to change back into a vapor. Turning the taillamps on will usually accelerate this process. This bulletin is to communicate the procedure for rear taillamp condensation clearing.
ENGINE
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): ● **P0111-00 - Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range Performance Bank 1. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0071-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0072-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" Low. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0073-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" High. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0011-00 - Bank 1 Camshaft 1 Position Timing Over Advanced Or. (In Active or Stored status) ● P25E4-00 - B Camshaft Position - Unable To Achieve Locked Position Bank 1. (In Active or Stored status) ● P05BD-00 - Stop-Start Mode Switch Range/Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0116-00 - Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 1 Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P062B-00 - Internal Control Module Fuel Injector Control Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0604-00 - Internal Control Module Random Access Memory Ram Error. (In Active or Stored status) ● P060C-00 - Internal Control Module Main Processor Performance. (In Active or Stored status)** ● P018B-00 - Fuel Pressure Sensor "B" Circuit Range/performance. **(In Active or Stored status)** ● P1CEA-00 - Boost Side EVAP Purge System Performance. **(In Active or Stored status)** ● P06DD-00 - Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit Performance/Stuck Off. **(In Active or Stored status)** ● P00C6-00 - Fuel Rail Pressure Too Low - Engine Cranking. **(In Active or Stored status)** ● P0300-00 - Multiple Cylinder Misfire. **(In Active or Stored status)** Customers may also experience one or more of the following: ● **Oil Level High Warning in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC).** ● Fully Autonomous Parking Assist (FAPA) is not deactivated when accelerator pedal is pressed. ● Vehicle is not heating up fast enough at freezi
Backup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 Lamp On
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2026 | 3 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 48 | 3 | 0 | 59.9 |
| 2021 | 150 | 4 | 0 | 64.9 |
| 2020Viewing | 278 | 3 | 0 | 61.9 |
| 2019 | 1,611 | 11 | 0 | 60.1 |
| 2018 | 680 | 7 | 1 | 59.9 |
| 2017 | 1,325 | 6 | 1 | 58.7 |
| 2016 | 1,403 | 9 | 2 | 60.8 |
| 2015 | 1,780 | 11 | 4 | 61.1 |
| 2014 | 2,639 | 13 | 3 | 59.2 |
| 2006 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 27.2 |
| 2001 | 229 | 8 | 1 | 60.7 |
| 2000 | 369 | 7 | 1 | 61.4 |
| 1999 | 366 | 8 | 1 | 61.0 |
| 1998 | 398 | 11 | 1 | 59.0 |
| 1997 | 390 | 10 | 2 | 63.1 |
| 1996 | 447 | 10 | 1 | 61.9 |
| 1995 | 608 | 11 | 9 | 67.7 |
| 1994 | 519 | 9 | 9 | 66.5 |
| 1993 | 418 | 7 | 15 | 66.7 |
| 1992 | 113 | 5 | 9 | 69.5 |
| 1991 | 233 | 9 | 6 | 67.7 |
| 1990 | 270 | 9 | 6 | 66.8 |
| 1989 | 191 | 6 | 3 | 66.4 |
| 1988 | 97 | 4 | 3 | 61.9 |
| 1987 | 57 | 9 | 7 | 67.9 |
| 1986 | 21 | 8 | 3 | 67.6 |
| 1985 | 17 | 7 | 4 | 65.4 |
| 1984 | 7 | 7 | 4 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | 1 | 3 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1981 | 1 | 2 | 2 | — |
| 1980 | 1 | 3 | 2 | — |
| 1979 | 0 | 2 | 1 | — |
| 1978 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1977 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 1976 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — |
| 1975 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — |
| 1974 | 0 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 1973 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.