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2020 Jeep Cherokee
The most reported problem on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee is service 4WD light, with 136 complaints, usually around 65,000 miles.
- 305owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 9involved a crash
- 50,000median miles at failure
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
What is your Cherokee doing?
Each one opens a sheet built from the owner reports of that problem on the 2020 model year.
Is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee reliable?
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee has 305 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, 1.3 times the median of 233 for 2020 SUVs on this site. Of the 9 Cherokee model years since 2014, it has the 7th most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to the 2019 and 2021
- Complaints ease off across these three model years. Counted per year on the road, the 2019 draws 206, the 2020 44 and the 2021 28.
- Top problem
- One problem takes up much of the file: service 4WD light, named in 136 of the 305 complaints (45%). A quarter of the 56 owners who gave a mileage for service 4WD light saw it by about 49,000 miles, and half by about 65,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 15 of the 305 complaints (5%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, about the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 9 reports mention a crash, 6 mention a fire and 9 people were hurt. The most crash reports, 5 of 9, fall under airbag.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- Transmission shudder has a recall on the same system (26V-290). Stalling and brake wear have none. A recall on the same system doesn't always cover the failure owners describe, so compare its summary with the complaints.
- When owners filed
- Filings jumped in 2025, with 101 complaints, 3.4 times the next busiest year. So far in 2026, 94 more have come in.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: service 4wd light or power transfer unit (ptu) failure, 136 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
305 complaints is 1.4 times the median 2020 model on this site and 1.3 times the median 2020 SUV. Among the 9 Cherokee model years here it ranks 7th for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
Jeep filed 388 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2020 Jeep Cherokee. 23 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 4 bulletins · 136 complaints
Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked.
Power Transfer Unit If considering PTU Assembly replacement related to DTCs C14A7-97 or C1494-92, please be aware of updated diagnostic procedures in the service library which may indicate the smart actuator replacement (PN 68369691AD) is the proper repair.
2 more on this problem
Service 4wd Light On, Message AWD System Service Required
SEAL, Input If looking to replace stubshaft due to ATX fluid leaking, do not replace PTU seals. None of the seals from the PTU side will need to be replaced whenever the ATX stubshaft is replaced, even though V-seal (68408748A$) is in direct contact with the ...
Engine stalls or loses power while driving 2 bulletins · 42 complaints
In Cold Temperatures The Customer May Complain Of An Intermittent No Crank, Cranks And Stalls, Stops Cranking Fails To Start
In Extremely Cold Temperatures The Customer May Complain Of An Intermittent No Crank, Cranks And Stalls, Stops Cranking Fails To Start
Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 2 bulletins · 25 complaints
Flash: Drivetrain Control Module (DTCM) Updates Customers may experience the following: ● A moan noise or shudder feeling from the rear axle during low speed cornering, most notable in a parking lot or low speed maneuvering.
Gear Ratio DTC?s, Transmission Shift Concerns, Does Not Shift At Times, Shudders
Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 1 bulletin · 25 complaints
ESC Light Illuminated. DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
Transmission jerks, lurches or bangs into gear 1 bulletin · 19 complaints
Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates This bulletin involves reprogramming the PCM with the latest available software.
Check engine light or misfire 5 bulletins · 15 complaints
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 ...
wiTECH Small Leak Verification Test (SLVT) - P0456-EVAP SYSTEM SMALL LEAK
3 more on this problem
Check engine lamp on. Fault code P0244- TURBOCHARGER/SUPERCHARGER WASTEGATE SOLENOID "A" RANGE/PERFORMANCE is set in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM a.k.a. ECM) after the turbocharger assembly has been replaced.
Engine Surge Feel and/or Diagnostic Trouble Code P0299 ? Turbo Underboost Condition After Updating The Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Software. (ETL, ETM, ETN Engines)
Customer complaint may include MIL/Check Engine lamp on. Upon further inspection, fault code P219A - Bank 1 Air-Fuel Ratio Imbalance may be found in the powertrain control module (PCM) as pending, active, or stored.
Power steering cuts out or goes heavy 2 bulletins · 13 complaints
Electric Power Steering (EPS) Will Not Calibrate, Negative Response Error Code 0X10
Lane Departure and Park Assist Features Inoperable This bulletin involves performing a Proxi routine and calibrate Electronic Power Steering (EPS) Customers may notice the Odometer flashing.
Battery dies or the car will not start 6 bulletins · 10 complaints
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
Battery Drain Suspected or "Identified" From USB or Media Hub
4 more on this problem
Radio Remained On After Ignition Is Switched Off, Dead Battery From Excessive Radio Current Draw
Battery Drain Concern, Dual USB Port Normal Operational Draw, Extended Illumination Or Extended Operation After Key Off
Battery Drain Concern, Dual USB Port Normal Operational Draw, Extended Illumination After Key Off
Intelligent Battery Sensor-IBS Installation, Battery Charging Message, Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On Stop Start Equipped Vehicles
Complaints filed by year
101 complaints came in 2025, 3.4 times the year before. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
Recalls that include the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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 searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.
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 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: 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.
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 and remedy
Remedy: 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.
All 3 recalls on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide Buying one used? How to research one car’s history before you pay
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
Service 4WD light, with 136 of the 305 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 65,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2020 Jeep Cherokee problems start?
Of the 128 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 22,000 miles and half by about 50,000.
Is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee better or worse than the 2019 and 2021?
Counted per year on the road, the 2020 has fewer complaints than the 2019 and more complaints than the 2021: 44 a year against 206 and 28.
How many 2020 Jeep Cherokee complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
15 of them (5%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.