2020 Jeep Cherokee problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (179) · Engine (23) · Service Brakes (19)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Jeep Cherokee model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
98 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Power Train 2026-05-07 · campaign 26V290000 · 61,711 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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 search
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera 2020-09-10 · campaign 20V191000 · 319,610 vehicles
Defect: 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 Fe
Risk: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering:rack And Pinion:rack 2019-08-29 · campaign 19V637000 · 5,294 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (388)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-06-26 · S2208000045 REV.D · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
backup camera poor image quality inspection
Structure:body 2026-04-22 · S2523000003 REV.A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
door latch, handle and ajar additional service information.
Electrical System 2026-04-15 · 08-075-26 REV. A · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Engine 2026-03-21 · 18-044-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 ba
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-18 · S2208000045 REV.C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
backup camera poor image quality inspection
Electrical System 2026-03-04 · S1408000384 REV.J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 388 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-25 · Power Train“while driving my 2020 jeep cherokee limited (vin: [xxx]), the “service 4wd” warning light illuminated on the dashboard. the vehicle was taken to garavel chrysler jeep dodge ram ([xxx]) on xxx at 84,458 miles for diagnosis. the dealer scanned the vehicle and found active diagnostic trouble code c14a7-97 – ptu motor – component or system operation ob…”
2026-10-22 · Power Train“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. upon inspection 10/14,the tech…”
2026-10-21 · Power Train · 21,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 jeep cherokee. the contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the message "service 4wd" was displayed with an audible alarm and an abnormal whirling sound coming from the transmission. the vehicle was taken to the local mechanic and was diagnosed with ptu failure. the vehicle was later taken to the local dealer who con…”
2026-10-20 · Power Train · 59,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 jeep cherokee. 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. the contact was informed that parts were available only for vehicles with certified warranties and that pa…”
2026-10-20 · Power Train · 87,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 jeep cherokee. the contact stated that upon pulling into a parking space, the message "service 4wd" was displayed prior to shifting into park(p). the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a rear differential or ptu failure. the failure mileage was approximately 87,000.…”
2026-10-20 · Power Train“the contact owns a 2020 jeep cherokee. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 26v290000 (power train); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was contacted multiple times regardin…”
2026-10-20 · Power Train“2020 jeep cherokee limited service 4-wheel drive came on. taken to dealer (hillsborough chrysler dodge jeep ram) 2000 nc-86, hillsborough, nc 27278 who confirmed a ptu failure. part is on backorder; no other dealerships have the part. …”
2026-10-20 · Power Train“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. both a professional transmission shop and dealership …”
2026-10-19 · Power Train · 68,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 jeep cherokee. the contact stated that while driving at 35 mph, the service 4wd warning light illuminated. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, where diagnosis determined the transfer case had failed and required replacement. the contact associated the failure with an unknown recall; however, the vin was not included. the ma…”
2026-10-15 · Power Train“svc 4x4 light came on and brought to jeep dealer immediately and they immediately tell us ptu and rear differential near to be replaced. they said it brakes need to be replaced when we replaced them 2 months ago. there's a recall for our year jeep but it says we have no recalls at the moment.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.