2020 Jeep Cherokee Brakes Problems

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the warning message "Service Four Wheel Drive" and "Four Wheel Drive Unavailable" had displayed. Also, while operating the vehicle the parking brake had malfunctioned. The cause of the fialure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified and informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000(POWER TRAIN ). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 82,000.

NHTSA ID

11738959

Incident

May 20, 2026

Mileage

82,000 mi

My vehicle has been in the shop over 6 times due to the malfunctioning of the EMERGENCY BREAKING SYSTEM. Less then 2.5wks after I purchased this vehicle, I started experiencing my E brake randomly engaging while driving it down the road. I called the dealership. They suggested I bring it to a jeep dealer. I’ve brought it to a jeep dealer where it’s been several times since I purchased the vehicle to have this issue looked at, but due to the fact of no codes popping when it gets brought in there’s nothing that they can do. I reported it also with the jeep company to which my case/complaint was closed out, even though the problem has not been fixed the most severe and most scary time that my emergency brake system came on was when I was driving at 65 miles an hour at 2:30 in the morning leaving work with a semi truck behind me and my emergency brakes randomly engaged on the freeway bringing me to a dead stop. They replaced the emergency breaking module and it still does it however, now my vehicle no matter what I do every time I put the vehicle even into park, my emergency brake kicks in. I’ve also looked up online and seeing that I’m not the only one that has experienced this that several other jeep owners have also experienced this typically found from the years of 2014 to 2020 Jeep Cherokee I own a 2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited my vehicle had 30,000 or so miles on it when I purchased this car this car has been a death trap ever since. I can’t even feel comfortable putting my children, my mother or even my animals into this car let alone myself. I do fear that one day this vehicle is going to kill me because that night with that semi behind me he could’ve easily rear-ended my vehicle and I’m sure he was doing 75 miles an hour and then a vehicle not even a half a mile in front of them randomly stops without any warning how that happened my children would not have a mother.

NHTSA ID

11737975

Incident

Feb 22, 2024

I was driving on the highway on my way to work around 7:45 am. As I was driving my car lost all power and I heard a grinding sound. As the grinding sound was happening, I had no control over my car. I managed to move to the side lane and put my hazards on. I then had to wait for a tow truck. Ultimately, the brakes, the transfer case, and the rear differental needs replaced.

NHTSA ID

11731252

Incident

Mar 23, 2026

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that the parking brake engaged independently while idling at a stoplight. The contact activated the hazard lights, shifted to park, turned off and restarted the vehicle, then reversed to unlock the parking brake to shift to drive to continue driving. The message "Parking Brake Engaged" was displayed with an audible chime, and the light indicating that the parking brake was activated was illuminated. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was diagnosed by a certified mechanic, and determined that the Engine Control Module (ECM) needed to be replaced. The ECM was replaced; however, the ECM could not be aligned with the vehicle and referred the contact to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, and another ECM was ordered; however, the ECM could not be aligned or programmed. The dealer diagnosed that the shifting console needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Approximately one month after having the vehicle repaired, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was returned to the dealer; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11696372

Incident

Sep 29, 2025

Mileage

87,000 mi

MY TRANSMISSION QUIT WORKING AND MY PARKING BRAKE TURNED ON WHILE DRIVING!!!!! This is the same problem that was recalled on jeep Cherokee years from 2017-2019, but my 2020 is not covered in the recall and my neighbor has the same exact car and year and has had to replace his put twice!!!!!! MY MODEL YEAR SHOULD BE INCLUDED!!!!!!!

NHTSA ID

11694163

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

Parking break engages when car comes to a stop engine light is on them goes off

NHTSA ID

11687262

Incident

Sep 15, 2025

Parking brake will automatically engage randomly while car is stopped at lights, stops signs, ect. The only way to reset is to put vehicle in park, turn off ignition and restart vehicle. Has happened several times over the last 3 months.

NHTSA ID

11663544

Incident

May 22, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while attempting to drive from a complete stop, the parking brake engaged unintendedly, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly, almost causing the contact to hit her head against the steering wheel. The contact stated that the failure nearly caused the vehicle to be rear-ended. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring increasingly. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could only be repaired free of charge if it was covered under warranty. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11660387

Incident

May 12, 2024

Mileage

30,000 mi

The parking brake comes on without being activated. Causing the jeep to stop.

NHTSA ID

11628182

Incident

Dec 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving from a complete stop at a red light, the Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking system activated, and the vehicle came to an abrupt stop. The contact stated that the vehicle briefly rolled backward before returning to normal functionality. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11624287

Incident

Nov 8, 2024

Mileage

80,000 mi

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at various speeds and depressing the brake pedal, there was an abnormal scraping and crunching sound heard. Additionally, the contact stated that the failure recurred while driving on a bumpy road surface and over a pothole. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics, where the brake calipers, the brake rotors, and the brake pads were replaced. Additionally, a wheel alignment was performed; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an unknown dealer, where it was test-driven; however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

NHTSA ID

11620966

Incident

Mar 29, 2024

Mileage

52,000 mi

History of the vehicle in the shop for braking issues, on 08/09/2024; 2 vehicles in front braked for an animal on a busy road, and saw braking. Was at around 30mph and started to brake, car in front had an emergency brake event and came to a sudden stop. My vehicle sent a BRAKE!, warning and started to apply brakes, I went to an evasive maneuver, my steering was cut, my brakes kicked my foot to half pedal and I could no longer brake. Coasted into the back of the vehicle in front of me at around 25 mph.

NHTSA ID

11617129

Incident

Aug 9, 2024

Vehicle randomly will engage the parking brake while vehicle is in motion and in drive. Vehicle then will stall and needs repeated attempts to restart before break will disengage. Have had it to the dealer, no less than three times with one visit lasting over 30 days with no resolution to date.

NHTSA ID

11585971

Incident

Apr 29, 2024

Parking break will automatically engage and stop the vehicle while driving or in motion. It happens randomly and at different speeds. Have taken to two separate dealerships, and neither seem to think there is a problem because they haven’t duplicated.

NHTSA ID

11577751

Incident

Feb 19, 2024

Vehicle slowed while driving at highway speed and started making a rotational grinding noise. Shortly after, brake light lit up on dash along with service parking brake, auto start /stop light and flashing light on e brake button was flashing.Vehicle was taken to Jeep deslership and scanned. Found emergency brake module went bad and needs to be replaced. Part ordered and Jeep will be scheduled to have it replaced.

NHTSA ID

11566841

Incident

Jan 17, 2024

There is something wrong with my front, driver side electric break. When I at the speed about 40 mph or bumping road the break is not working. And some thin it making noise l, look like it is engaged by itself. The problem started when the car only 26500 miles but the dealer denied to warranty because it a month after 3 years.

NHTSA ID

11562812

Incident

Nov 20, 2023

The vehicles emergency brake engaged while driving down the highway at 70 mph on its own. This caused the vehicle to come to an immediate stop almost causing a serious wreck. We have had the vehicle in the shop for it dying and this happening when stopped or at very sloe speeds but never like this. Each time we have been told there is nothing wrong with the vehicle since no codes were thrown. Clearly this is not the case.

NHTSA ID

11547243

Incident

Sep 28, 2023

Vehicle stopped at a red light, auto stop/start activated. Took foot off brake when light turned green, car struggled to restart, all lights/system went off and finally restarted. Kicked the auto emergency break on and the auto stop/start warning light came on. Has happened 5-10x in the last month. Started around July 2023. Sometimes forward collision breaking turns on out of nowhere, when cars are 2 car lengths in front of me.

NHTSA ID

11540137

Incident

Aug 18, 2023

My emergency brake engages when I’m actively driving. This has happened sporadically over the past 2 years & I feel that both my safety and the safety of others is at risk. I don’t feel safe driving my car. I took my car to the dealership to get it looked at but they said everything came up fine on a diagnostic test so I’m not sure where to go from here

NHTSA ID

11539262

Incident

Aug 14, 2023

I will try to answer each question: The electronic emergency brake engaged on its own at a stop light, then later while driving on the highway. Could have easily been re-ended and lost control on freeway causing extreme damage. It was a night, and driving alone. Called dealership, they said to bring it in or tow it but wouldn't be able to get to it until Oct. 20th and then if a part needed to be ordered it would be longer. I then took it to our mechanic, who said it was the electronic brake module and most likely was caused by water leak. They showed me complaint article with complaints of same thing. I notified my insurance company of same. The warning lights only came when it happened last night. 10/04/22. They are not currently on, and I only drove it to the mechanic shop where they diagnosed the problem.

NHTSA ID

11488100

Incident

Oct 4, 2022

Electronic parking break turned on automatically while driving 55 mph on highway.

NHTSA ID

11479864

Incident

Aug 17, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while at a complete stop at a stop light, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle shut off and lost electrical power. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving. However, the failure reoccurred several times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an unknown repair was completed; however, the failure recurred while driving and the brake warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they would follow up with him. The contact was awaiting a call back from the manufacturer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

NHTSA ID

11466959

Incident

May 3, 2021

Mileage

8,000 mi

EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WITHOUT ANY INVOLVEMENT BY OPERATOR - COULD NOT MOVE VEHICLE. WHEN REPEATED ATTEMPTS WERE MADE TO RELEASE WITHOUT ACHIEVING, VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO MOVE HOWEVER INSTRUMENT PANEL STATED ER BRAKE NEEDS SERVICING.*DT*DT*DT CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE WAS LEASED.*JB*AS*JB

NHTSA ID

11374289

Incident

Nov 4, 2020

Mileage

3,300 mi

WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL DRY CONDITIONS SERVICE PARKING BRAKE,ABS,ESC ACTIVE WARNING LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. FRONT BRAKES PULSATE ALSO

NHTSA ID

11364010

Incident

Sep 17, 2020

Mileage

1,462 mi

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND WARNING SOUNDS START GOING OFF. WE LOSE OUR SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GUAGE AND ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS. THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES AS WE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS. WHEN STOPPED AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES AND WE ARE UNABLE TO GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS WHILE IN GEAR. AFTER TODAYS INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T START BACK UP AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF. THIS STARTED 2 WEEKS AFTER WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND HAS BEEN A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM SINCE THAT TIME. (WE'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 2020.) THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 4 TIMES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE OF THOSE TIMES IT WAS IN THE SHOP FOR 2 1/2 MONTHS AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WASN'T ABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. WE FINALLY TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP 3 HOURS AWAY FROM OUR LOCATION AND THEY FIXED THE BLIND SIDE MODULE WHICH THEY STATED SHORTED OUT THE REMAINING SYSTEMS AND THAT IT IS FIXED. TODAY, 09/20/2020 WE HAD ANOTHER INCIDENT IN WHICH THE MALFUNCTION WAS WORSE AND WOULDN'T START AFTER WE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING DANGEROUS AND SCARY WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE VIDEO RECORDINGS OF EACH INCIDENT. THE VIDEOS ARE TO LONG TO ATTACH, BUT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TEXT THEM.

NHTSA ID

11360125

Incident

Sep 20, 2020

Mileage

11,700 mi