2020 Jeep Cherokee Driver assistance Problems

In November 2024, while driving, my jeep began to lose power. Accelerator was not working and pulled over. It turned on but would unexpectedly turn off whenever I would drive it. It was in the shop 4 months. Last week, Nov 2025, while at a stop light it completely stopped working. When I tried to accelerate it wasn’t working. Break pedal was hard and I could not turn it back on. Dash lights were on and tank had gas. Had to get it towed. Was told engine was in good shape. Still looking at starter issues.

NHTSA ID

11699847

Incident

Nov 11, 2025

Blind spot indicator light comes on and I have no control of the windows. Speeds up to four RPMs or more no matter what speed I am going including while I'm in cruise control. Turns off cruise control while driving. All of these are random incidents but they have become more and more frequent.

NHTSA ID

11679637

Incident

Aug 10, 2020

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

Hard shift 70-80 mph, lost drive power output. No response to gas pedal while engine remained on. I turned on hazards and moved to the emergency lane as the car was coasting to a stop. I caught a glimpse of 4WD or AWD something and it disappeared before I could read it all. I was about to approach an off ramp from the highway emergency when at a slow speed perhaps 30 mph or so output returned and I was able to complete driving home. This is the first time it was more than just jerky clunky shifting. Vehicle has 69,858 miles.

NHTSA ID

11663203

Incident

May 27, 2025

The Power Transfer Unit (PTU) suddenly became disconnected while we were in the passing lane on a highway. We lost power temporarily and dashboard lights came on saying service was needed. Moved slowly into a safe location and called for tow truck. There was some “knocking” as we moved. While diagnosing the vehicle, the dealer experienced the same indications and stated that it sounds like a separation in the PTU. There were no prior indications that something was wrong until it happened. I researched on line and found recalls for this issue in prior years (2017-2019) on the same vehicle as mine (Jeep Cherokee 2020).

NHTSA ID

11654953

Incident

Apr 10, 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while engaging the cruise control at 60 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 80 MPH. The contact attempted to lower the speed on the cruise control setting; however, the speed failed to be reduced as intended. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and turned off the vehicle to deactivate the cruise control. After waiting for the digital display to completely shut down, the vehicle was restarted, and the cruise control was reset. The cruise control functioned properly after completely shutting off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 37,211.

NHTSA ID

11628959

Incident

Dec 3, 2024

Mileage

37,211 mi

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

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 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

The check engine light came on , then my parking brake light, crash parking light, and stop and stop light on my dash. It wouldn't start at first but tried three time and it did. I drove home with the vehicle, and it wasn't shifting properly. I had it towed to the dealership and was told it was electrical after they tested it. Three days later I was told it was the transmission. Now I'm being told it is the mounts as well.

NHTSA ID

11520376

Incident

Apr 23, 2023

I set my cruise control at a designated speed (70mph) and the vehicle accelerated well beyond…to 83mph before I realized it was still accelerating. I had to hit the cancel Button and turn off cruise control to get it to slow down. Then I set it and it didn’t “set” and kept decelerating.

NHTSA ID

11513270

Incident

Mar 22, 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

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 ID

11448615

Incident

Dec 21, 2021

The first time- driving and the ‘D’ button on the shifter started blinking and got stuck in Drive, excellerated, couldn’t stop. Shut car off! Rest after 15 mins and scheduled repair/check. Shifter box-assembly was replaced and found to be the problem. 2nd time- got stuck in reverse and wouldn’t move. Took it to the dealer, scheduled repair/check, told to keep driving it. 3rd time- check engine light came on, stopped at dealer, told to keep prior appointment and not to clear it. Never checked it. 4th time- driving at speed of 65, car shut off, no power but had brakes. Towed to dealer car still not able to start. Currently at the dealer.

NHTSA ID

11428774

Incident

Aug 11, 2021

•On numerous occasions while backing up the rear cross traffic warning alert does not alert you and I’ve almost backed into other vehicles, a tree, a mailbox and even people walking. •My safety as well as my wife’s safety and the safety of other drivers is put in danger bc the alert warning not going off could have caused a wreck and caused someone to get seriously injured and it could have also caused someone to have gotten ran over or just simply hit bc of the alert system not alerting us of the other vehicles, objects or people behind the vehicle. •not sure what you mean •not at this time have I taken the vehicle to be checked. Have an appointment set up to go in next week. •no there weren’t any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. •the first Occitan e of this malfunctioned happened when we had the vehicle about 2-2 1/2 months It has happened more than a handful of times.

NHTSA ID

11425747

Incident

Feb 25, 2021

VEHICLE DOES NOT WARN OR APPLY BRAKES WHEN IT SHOULD, I CAN EASILY OVERTAKE A VEHICLE IN THE SAME LANE AND DRIVE RIGHT UP TO THE REAR BUMPER OF THE CAR AHEAD AND WILL GET ZERO WARNING.

NHTSA ID

11377190

Incident

Nov 2, 2020

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 ID

11373912

Incident

Jul 3, 2020

Mileage

1,500 mi

ESC LIGHT COMES ON RANDOMLY, CONDENSATION IN BOTH BODY SIDE TAIL LIGHTS ,SWITCHING FROM DEFROST TO A/C WARM AIR BLOWS TO FLOOR (SET AT 70),THEN I CHANGE TO FRONT VENTS WARM AIR CONTINUES ,THEN TRY TO SET ON AUTO AND NOTHINGS BLOWS OUT, THEN TURN TO A/C AGAIN AND IT GOES TO WARM DEFROST. FRONT DRIVERS SIDE SPEAKER RANDOMLY GOES OUT

NHTSA ID

11364019

Incident

Sep 17, 2020

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