2020 Jeep Cherokee Complaints

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/23/2026

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving and pulling out of the driveway, the contact became aware of fluid on the driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed and there were metal shavings found in the PTU, and the mechanic determined that the PTU needed to be replaced. The mechanic contacted the dealer, and it was confirmed that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the failure was confirmed, but the recall remedy was unavailable. The contact was advised that the vehicle could be repaired at the owner's expense and reimbursement might be provided whenever parts became available. The failure mileage was approximately 63,000.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 10/08/2025

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated that there was an abnormally loud sound coming from the vehicle and the vehicle jerked forward. The dealer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that the part was not available for the repair. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC — Filed 09/21/2026

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the brakes failed to respond as needed. The contact avoided a crash with another vehicle by moving over to the side of the road, drove onto the grass, and navigated past a nearby pedestrian and a hill. The passenger’s side door was scratched, and the passenger’s side mirror was knocked off the vehicle. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the ABS sensor warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal had locked up and the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The failure mileage was 110,000.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 06/20/2026

Took my vehicle in for service a second time for warning light about 4 wheel drive needing service. I was told ptu is bad and that it’s a jeep problem. Saw there was a recall 40 D My VIN isn’t showing under that recall.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 08/10/2026

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights illuminated panel and the hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Due to the failure, the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train). The vehicle was then towed to a dealer where a diagnostic test confirmed the failure of the PTU; however, the part to do the recall repair was on back order. The vehicle remained with the dealer for over a month until the contact received a call from the dealer that the vehicle was repaired. The contact was then informed that the part was not repaired under recall and was provided an estimate for the repair. The contact was informed that there might be a reimbursement once parts for the recall repair was available. The contact notified the manufacturer about various issues related to the recall and was provided three case numbers. The vehicle was repaired but remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was 82,296.

POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 07/30/2026

ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, WHENEVER YOU ATTEMPT TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP (LIKE A TRAFFIC LIGHT), THE VEHICLE WILL COAST INTO THE INTERSECTION, CAUSING A TRAFFIC HAZARD. IT HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES. AT 60,300 MILES, DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT ENGINE WAS NOT COVERED. I PURCHASED A NEW ENGINE, WHICH NEVER FIXED THE PROBLEM. 5 DIFFERENT TIMES THEY RESET DASH BOARD, BUT THE IT CONT'D BEFORE I CAN GET HOME. DEALERSHIP GASLIGHTS WITH THEY COULD NOT GET PR0BLEM REPEATED. BUT AS SOON AS WARRANTY EXPIRE(EED), DEALERSHIP ADMIDES CAR NEEDS 2ND NEW ENGINE. $9K.

ENGINE — Filed 09/01/2026

Like previous model years, the 2 L Turbo engine started buring excessive oil (more than 1 quart per 500 miles). Two mechanics have indicated that engine and turbocharger need to be replaced. Both said that this engine is same as previous model years for which recalls were initiated.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 09/01/2026

The safety system keeps notifying that the 4-wheel drive is not available. Had a diagnostic completed, 9/1/2026, and it was determined to be a PTU Failure. The system continues to show the issues. I checked the NHTSA site and it states there is campaign number 26V290000 on 2019 - 2023 Jeep Cherokees for PTU Failure. However, for some reason, our car is not listed in the campaign.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 03/05/2026

Service four-wheel-drive light came on mileage was at 83,000 miles approximately took it to the Chrysler dealer and they replaced my PTU motor. I believe this motor was recalled on an earlier years as a recall I think this year should be a recall . Also, now, September 27, 2026 I drove my vehicle /Jeep to church I parked it and it lit on fire and burned to the ground. Nothing left of it. Don’t know if it had anything to do with that PTU unit.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/27/2026

On September 27, 2026 I drove the vehicle 2020 Jeep Cherokee 10 miles to church at 9:30 AM park the car when I came out of church at 10:30 AM. The car was totally burnt to the ground and the fire department was there and police and put it out.

ENGINE — Filed 09/24/2026

Engine caught fire while parked

AIR BAGS — Filed 11/23/2025

I was involved in a head-on accident with another car. The airbags did not deploy in my 2020 Jeep Cherokee. This resulted didn’t some injuries to me in a driver of the other car. The other car driver airbags did deploy but my 2020 Jeep Cherokee airbags did not deploy vehicle damage was rated such that the car was totaled with heavy front damage on the driver side front.

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/24/2025

On June 24 ,2025 I was in a front end collision resulting in personal injury to with parties. From airbags not deploying on my vehicle. My car was deemed total loss from insurance company. Vehicle didn't have any prior electrical or and warning lamps on at time prior collision

STEERING — Filed 01/03/2025

The contact's mother owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at unknown speeds, the steering wheel stiffened and was difficult to maneuver. The failure would occur intermittently. The contact stated that while his mother was driving at approximately 25 MPH, the steering warning light illuminated and the steering wheel seized. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a nearby tree where it came to a stop. No air bags deployed. The driver sustained bruising to the chest, and back injuries, and hit their head against the steering wheel. Medical attention was required. A police report was failed. The police department towed the vehicle. The vehicle's front end was severely damaged causing the radiator to leak. It was unknown if the vehicle was diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.

SERVICE BRAKES,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE — Filed 08/09/2024

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.

ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 08/28/2024

Upon driving at approx 20mph in traffic on the highway, there was a sudden loss of power in acceleration. Smoke was seen around the vehicle. Multiple lights flashed on the dashboard and then quickly went blank. As I was pulling to the side of the road I noticed flames coming from the front right side of the vehicle. The brakes no longer worked. I got out of the vehicle as smoke was seeping into the cabin. I was able to retrieve my phone and bag. Approx. 30 seconds after exiting the vehicle and moving away there was a small explosion. Over the course of the next few minutes there were multiple other explosions. Emergency services were called immediately. The vehicle burnt to the ground completely.

ENGINE — Filed 06/14/2024

The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the four-wheel drive overheated warning light illuminated. The contact reduced the speed, and the vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that a nearby driver pulled over and informed the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The nearby driver also assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The contact stated that there were several explosions. The contact stated that the vehicle was burned to the ground. The fire department and the local police arrived on the scene. There were no injuries sustained. A Fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. In addition, the case is currently under investigation. The failure mileage was approximately 26, 900.

STEERING — Filed 12/02/2021

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked the driver attempted to accelerate forward and the vehicle erroneously made a sharp left turn and crashed into a construction zone causing damage to the vehicle and the construction site materials. No further information was available. During the incident, no injuries were reported and no police report was filed. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the steering rack gear had fractured. The steering rack gear was replaced and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The contact was later informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V637000(Steering). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced that same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 22,000.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 03/30/2023

This isn't a major concern but just possibly a design defect that could potentially be dangerous in an accident. On March 30 2023 I was involved in an accident on a highway in Pennsylvania where traffic was stop and go. I was stopped, and a car slammed into the back of me going pretty fast. Her car bounced off my bumper and then hit into me again. The car and my seat belt did their jobs and I was not injured. However, afterwards the top of my head felt like it had a bad brush burn. It lasted for several days. When sitting in my car directly after the accident I noticed something odd. Both driver and passenger sun visors were off their hooks and in same position of pushed forward towards windshield under the hook. Because it happened to both of them and they were in the same position I have to surmise that the laws of physics during the accident caused this and that the impact knocked them off the hook and the other vehicle bouncing off and then hitting again caused them to pull back and then fly forward. I believe the movement of the visors so fast is what caused the brush burn on my head. I'm not sure if this is generally something that happens during an accident, but it seems pretty dangerous to me. Luckily I am not that tall and was positioned that the visor skimmed the top of my head. I cannot imagine though if someone was taller what that could potentially do if the visor comes flying at someone's face that fast. This has not been reproduced or confirmed by anyone. My vehicle is still at the body shop awaiting repairs.

ENGINE — Filed 11/27/2021

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact noticed that the vehicle was on fire while parked in a parking lot. The contact mentioned the fire caused 2 other vehicles to catch on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined the fire was caused by the engine. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,800.

AIR BAGS — Filed 08/07/2021

The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, when approaching an intersection a vehicle coming from the opposite lane came thru and caused the driver to hit that vehicle head-on. The air bags did not deploy. There front end of the vehicle was crashed in. The driver sustained a crack sternum, bruised lungs, and hurt their foot while depressing on the brake, the contact sustained an injured right shoulder due to the seat belt, internal bruises to their sternum, ribs, and stomach, as well fluids in their lungs. There was medical treatment at the scene and took both the contact and the driver to the hospital for treatment. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard where the vehicle was deemed a total loss by the contact insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000. Contact was later found to have dislocated sternum and damage to internal organs as well as damage to dialysis port. He recently was hospitalized to manage pain and monitor organs four weeks in the hospital and one week in nursing home. Now doing PT at home.

ENGINE — Filed 07/14/2021

The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his nephew was driving approximately 70 mph, a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The driver then noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The driver stopped the vehicle and exited. No further information was available. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away from the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.

AIR BAGS — Filed 06/29/2021

Vehicle was in a front end collision resulting in $16k in damages, driver transported to the hospital with leg and head injuries. The airbags did not deploy. NONE.

ENGINE — Filed 01/05/2021

TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AN UNKNOWN BURNING ODOR OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE ALERTED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT QUICKLY COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AS SHE EXIT THE VEHICLE THE HOOD EXPLODED ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED DOWN TO A CRIST. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE OF WHAT HAD LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND WAS LATER TAKEN BY THE VEHICLE INSURANCE TO AN INSURANCE AUTO AUCTION LOT WHERE IT STILL REMAINED. THE CONTACT CALLED KELLY JEEP CHRYSLER, 353 BROADWAY, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940, AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AIR BAGS — Filed 10/01/2020

MY BOYFRIEND WAS IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2020 CHEROKEE AND HIT A SEMI TRUCK AT THE FRONT RIGHT CORNER OF THE JEEP WHILE ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS INJURED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS A 29 YEAR OLD DRIVING AND A 2 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK SEAT ON THE RIGHT SIDE.