2020 Jeep Cherokee Safety Report
2020 Jeep Cherokee Safety and Reliability Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (226) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 14 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Power Train | Compare power train issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Jeep Cherokee with 2 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Jeep Cherokee before buying across this generation. |
Jeep Cherokee Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Jeep Cherokee years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Jeep Cherokee | 118 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Jeep Cherokee | 1500 | 10 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Jeep Cherokee | 37 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Jeep Cherokee | 658 | 7 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2023 Jeep Cherokee | 2 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2017 Jeep Cherokee | 1299 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2020 Jeep Cherokee Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Power Train
87 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Jeep onlyUnknown Or Other
14 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Jeep onlyEngine
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Jeep onlySteering
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Jeep onlyPower Train,Engine
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train,Engine issues Jeep onlyAir Bags
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Jeep onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
Reliability Score
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee receives a reliability score of 92 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shifter Lockout Shifter lockouts have been reported, causing the car to be unable to shift out of park, typically around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Steering Rack Failure Steering rack issues have been reported, potentially leading to loss of control of the vehicle. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Deployment Failure Air bags have failed to deploy in at least one accident, posing a significant safety risk. |
High | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Four-Wheel Drive Failure Four-wheel drive system failures have been reported, leading to loss of traction and potential accidents. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2020 Jeep Cherokee:
Steering issues, including rack and pinion problems, have been reported.
Power train issues, including shifter lockouts and transmission failures, are a major concern.
Air bag deployment failures have been reported, posing a significant safety risk.
Four-wheel drive system failures have been reported, leading to loss of traction.
Recall Details for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee by NHTSA:
Summary: 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...
Consequence: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
The systems that failed included the shifter, which causes the car to lock so that it cannot shift out of park . This is most likely due to a shifter assembly and/or sensor malfunction. Several months prior to this event occurring (i.e., the car would not start, despite a new battery and consistent scheduled maintenance), this operator of the vehicle complained to the dealership that the car start...
No accident or incident cause issues with the power train. Seems like a recurring problem that this specific model of Jeep has been facing.
Transfer case failure, I had started to notice as if the transmission were shifted to neutral, high engine rpm and no output to the wheels. This happened a few times but not consistently. After the 3rd time this occurred, I decided to bring the vehicle in to a well-known local shop transmission shop. It was diagnosed as the transfer case a known issue with previous years. Still such a popular fail...
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while changing lines and attempting to depress the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to respond with a grinding sound coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact pulled over into a parking lot and attempted to shift to park, and the vehicle started to reverse unintendedly. The contact stated that after returning to the reside...
Oil filter housing 3.2 motor. Plastic housing leaking with oil smell while driving. Could cause fire in engine bay.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while accelerating from a stop, the vehicle stalled. The transmission message was displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and there were metal particles in the transmission fluid. The vehicle was not repaired. The mechanic called an unknown local dealer and confirmed that parts were on backorder. The manufacturer w...
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the 4WD warning light was flashing on the instrument panel, and the vehicle lost 4WD functionality. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the 4WD was inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. ...
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.
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The message "Service 4WD System" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and was diagnosed wit...
Bad PTU on 2020 Jeep Cherokee. It is out of any warranties and a know issue among this vehicle line. Current recall is for vehicles through Feb 2019, and this would be right outside that window (my specific VIN is outside of the recall).
Received "SVC FWD" light on the dash. Four wheel drive stopped working. I was able to continue driving with front wheel drive only. Jeep had 13,000 when it happened. Took it to the dealership for inspection in September 2025. They diagnosed it as a bad PTU and needed replaced. They were going to call me when the new part came in. It's been over 5 months and I never heard from them.
Warning light came on that said "Service 4WD System" at approximately 86,969 miles on a 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. Took to dealer and was advised that PTU (power transfer unit) must be replaced at a cost of $3,945.19. Was also advised that DTCM "transfer case control module must be replaced at a cost of $776.95. Total cost to resolve "Service 4WD System" problem as quoted is $4,722.14. It has b...
Issue #1: Fuel pump failure, had to completely replace the fuel pump at approx. 60,000 miles. Approx. $1,300 repair. Issue #2: Rear differential failure due to faulty/poor construction of materials, per the repair shop. Failed at approx. 63,000 miles. There was no external damage to the differential, it was caused by poor construction/defects of the materials used to build the car. Approx. $...
The "4WD Needs Service" light appeared on the dashboard of our 2020 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk. We took vehicle to the Enumclaw Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram dealer located in Enumclaw, WA. Their service technician determined that the PTU (Power Transfer Unit) was failing and found active code c14a7-97 "ptu motor-component or system operation obstructed or blocked". Had the PTU completely failed we could ...
Failed Power Train Unit, and this is available for inspection. I was driving on the highway with my grandson and husband going 70 mph when the unit failed it basically felt like the car was thrown into neutral. Thankfully no one was hurt. Dealership has confirmed the issue. No issues driving the vehicle before the issue after the issue the light did come on and the vehicle is undriveable.
PTU failure needs replacements... 4k to fix. Safety issue and should be a recall.
While driving in northwestern Pennsylvania during a snowstorm, the driver engaged the vehicle’s factory “Snow Mode.” Immediately thereafter, the vehicle experienced a sudden loss of power and loss of steering control. The driver was forced to pull off the I79 interstate in severe winter conditions and exit the vehicle to avoid being struck by a snowplow. This created a dangerous roadside exposure ...
My PTU failed while driving 70mph on a 4 lane interstate during a heavy rush hour, I'm 7 months pregnant and this was mortifying for me. I lost all power moving forward and could not accelerate. My RPMS would near red-line. When I pulled on to the shoulder, while trying to not get hit or cause an accident from 3 lanes over, I put my car in park and shut it off, it sounded like a dying weedwhacker...
The Power Transfer Unit on my 2020 vehicle is not working. I bought this car specifically to have four wheel drive. In the Buffalo NY brutal winter I count on 4 wheel drive to get me through the snow. Now, I have a serious safety issue. I wanted to fix the car but not only is it expensive, but the parts are on back order with 2700 in the backlog waiting for parts. This is a known issue a...
4wd service light came on. The code was c14a7-97. A well known PTU problem. There was a previous recall for the same problem. It can be a dangerous situation if it completely fails while driving. Also a very expensive repair bill. My 2020 Jeep Cherokee only has 72k miles and a has a major known failure already.
Showing 20 of 226 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2020 Jeep Cherokee
Has the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE been recalled?
Yes, the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE have?
The 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE has 226 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 9 involved crashes. 9 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE?
The 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE involve power train (87 complaints), unknown or other (14 complaints), engine (13 complaints). Other affected components include steering, power train,engine, air bags.
How many crash reports does the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE have?
There are 9 crash reports associated with the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE out of 226 total complaints (4.0% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE have?
There are 5 fire reports for the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE out of 226 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE.
How many injuries are reported for the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE?
9 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 226 complaints, 2 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE?
The components with the most failures on the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE are: 1. POWER TRAIN (87 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (14 complaints), 3. ENGINE (13 complaints), 4. STEERING (12 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN,ENGINE (7 complaints). POWER TRAIN is the single most-reported problem area with 87 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE?
Be cautious of power train and steering issues, and ensure the air bag system is functioning properly. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE has 226 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE?
The 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE receives a reliability score of 92/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 226 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 14 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Shifter Lockout and Steering Rack Failure.
What are the known issues with the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE?
Known issues with the 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE include: Shifter Lockout, Steering Rack Failure, Air Bag Deployment Failure, Four-Wheel Drive Failure. These are based on patterns found across 226 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common power train issues in the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
Shifter lockouts and transmission failures are the most common power train issues.
Have there been any recalls related to the steering system?
Yes, there have been recalls for steering rack issues.
Are there any known issues with the air bag system?
Yes, air bags have failed to deploy in at least one accident.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of power train and steering issues, and ensure the air bag system is functioning properly. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2020 Jeep Cherokee
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The data includes 226 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 9 reported crashes, 5 fire incidents, 9 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2020 Jeep Cherokee an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16