2020 Jeep Cherokee · symptom sheet
Engine stalls or loses power while driving
- 42owner reports
- 50,000median miles
- $1,237median quote
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Sep 29, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
233 of the 305 complaints on this car are about the transmission and drivetrain. 42 of those describe stalling. Only service 4WD light is reported more often on this car.
Tick what matches of 42 reports
Stalling on other Cherokee years
Report counts are for each model year on its own, so a newer car has had less time to collect them. Model years with too few reports of it for a sheet: 2022.
What this problem usually is
Stalling reports are some of the most alarming on the site. The engine quits while the car is moving, sometimes on a highway and sometimes at a stop. Many owners say it restarted right away and the dealer found no stored code, which is part of why these complaints pile up before anything gets fixed.
What got replaced
Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the battery (3 reports).
Recalls and investigations
One recall on the transmission and drivetrain covers the 2020 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.
The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
All 3 recalls on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
NHTSA investigations into the transmission and drivetrain on the Cherokee
Electronic parking brake water ingress. Closed oct 29, 2023.
Software security vulnerability. Closed jan 5, 2016, led to recall 15V-508.
Engine compartment fire. Closed dec 9, 2015, led to recall 15V-676.
Crash related fuel tank fires. Closed nov 14, 2014, led to recall 13V-252.
Sudden acceleration. Closed sep 10, 2002.
Faulty gas gauge indicators. Closed nov 13, 1997, led to recall 97V-194.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed nov 25, 1994.
Driveshaft/univ.joint fail. Closed oct 29, 1993.
Engine compartment fires. Closed jan 9, 1990, led to recall 88V-132.
Fires caused by cltch lk. Closed jan 28, 1988.
Electronic ignition failure and gas fume. Closed nov 3, 1976.
None of these investigations covers the 2020 model year.
What owners paid
6 of the 42 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $610 to $3,129.
When it happens
The middle half of failures fell between 20,450 and 62,562 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.
Is this a known problem?
The manufacturer has sent NHTSA 3 service bulletins or notices for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee that deal with this problem. 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.
In Cold Temperatures The Customer May Complain Of An Intermittent No Crank, Cranks And Stalls, Stops Cranking Fails To Start
RELAY, Micro **This applies to the 2020 KL and 2021 KL Only!!** Owner reports in colder temperatures the vehicle may exhibit a No Start or and/or a Start and Stall fail to Start condition. Vehicle will start normally when PDC or vehicle is warmed up.
In Extremely Cold Temperatures The Customer May Complain Of An Intermittent No Crank, Cranks And Stalls, Stops Cranking Fails To Start
What owners wrote
“Sudden total loss of power steering assist while driving over a small pothole on Pearman Dairy Road. Full details, diagnostic trouble codes (U0420-00, U0010-00, U1428-00, B2309-64), and Jeep case reference 97368807 are fully documented in the attached formal PDF letter”
Filed Aug 6, 2026
“Ptu failure. Open recall with no fix. Jeep fixed at dealer. Plenty of time has passed since recall was opened. The only fix is to replace the non serviceable ptu. Jeep needs to stop stalling and fix the problem. I want my money back”
Filed Jul 29, 2026
“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.”
Filed Apr 14, 2026
“The Power Transfer Unit failed, needing repair. It is available for inspection upon request. My safety, and other's safety on the road, was put at risk because now the power can shut off while driving. The problem has been confirmed by the dealer, as we took it in when a warning light appeared. They confirmed it was a power transfer unit failure. They first appeared about a month ago, and today's date is 9/19/25.”
Filed Sep 19, 2025
Should you keep driving it?
This page can't tell you that. 0 of 42 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.
File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation. How reports land on this sheet.
Guide Paid for this repair before a recall covered it? How recall reimbursement works
Other problems on this car
- Service 4WD light or power transfer unit (PTU) failure 136 reports
- Transmission shudders, slips or shifts hard 25 reports
- Brakes grind, pulse or wear early 25 reports