2020 Jeep CHEROKEE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
289 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
47,400 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 83 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 161 of 289 complaints (55.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 46 | 15.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 39 | 13.5% |
| Steering behavior | 30 | 10.4% |
| Engine operation | 27 | 9.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 17 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 161 |
| Engine | 39 |
| Unknown Or Other | 35 |
| Electrical System | 33 |
| Service Brakes | 23 |
| Steering | 21 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
Power Train: 161; Engine: 39; Unknown Or Other: 35; Electrical System: 33; Service Brakes: 23; Steering: 21; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Vehicle Speed Control: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 33 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 22 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 10 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 33; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 10; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (33). 206 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 16 |
| 2023 | 30 |
| 2024 | 30 |
| 2025 | 101 |
| 2026 | 78 |
2019: 1; 2020: 20; 2021: 13; 2022: 16; 2023: 30; 2024: 30; 2025: 101; 2026: 78
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 46 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 39 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 30 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11277328 · 2019-10-31 (October 31, 2019)
I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE ACCELERATOR TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES FOR A MILE OR TWO UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. ONCE I PULLED OVER AND COMPLETELY STOPPED THE RPMS WENT OVER 7000. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT. THE RPMS AGAIN WENT OVER 7000. I LET THE CAR SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES AND STARTED THE CAR ONCE AGAIN. THE CAR OPERATED JUST FINE AFTER THIS. WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 740 miles reported. Look up ODI 11277328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11312125 · 2020-02-28 (February 28, 2020)
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND DRIVE AGAIN TO MOVE. VEHICLE HAS 85 MILES ON IT. PURCHASED 4 DAYS AGO. ON DAY AFTER PURCHASE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE GOING STRAIGHT ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED ON A RIGHT TURN ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED AT TAKEOFF AFTER BEING PARKED ONCE, IT STALLED WHEN TRYING TO BACK OUT OF PARKING SPACE 3 TIMES ON REVERSE. ON DAY 3 THE VEHICLE STALLED ON RIGHT TURN ONCE, GOING STRAIGHT ONCE AND WHILE EXITING PARKING LOT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF COMPLETELY WHILE …
Owner-reported narrative. 75 miles reported. Look up ODI 11312125 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11307842 · 2020-02-08 (February 8, 2020)
DRIVING MY VEHICLE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A THROTTLE ISSUE MESSAGE FLASHED, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DRASTIC LOSS OF POWER CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH ONLY 8 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, CURRENTLY HAS 500 MILES, VEHICLE HAS THE 2.4 LITER ENGINE AND AUTOMATIC 4X4 TRANSMISSION. CONTACTED THE JEEP DEALER WHEE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THEY DID NOT MENTION THAT THERE COULD BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS JEEP, HOWEVER AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUN…
Owner-reported narrative. 496 miles reported. Look up ODI 11307842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11373912 · 2020-11-10 (November 10, 2020)
ON AND OFF THE HIGHWAY THE STEERING STICKS WHEN TRYING TO STAY IN THE LANE WHICH LEADS TO OVERSTEERING AND CONSTANT WEAVING IN THE LANE AND SOMETIMES GOING OVER THE LINES. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO SHIFT VERY HARD AND AT TIMES WILL NOT SHIFT WHEN IT SHOULD. I WAS TOLD THESE ARE NORMAL IN THIS VEHICLE.... IT IS NOT NORMAL!
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11373912 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11388551 · 2021-01-17 (January 17, 2021)
IN THE AM, THE MONITOR WENT OUT AND CAME ON AT A LATER TIME THAT DAY; WHEN DRIVING AT 70 MILES PER HOUR THE FRONT END WAS VIBRATING; AND WHEN RETURNING HOME, WITHIN THREE SECONDS I LOST STEERING, IT ENGAGED, WENT OUT AND ENGAGED AGAIN. I PARKED THE JEEP, HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP TWO DAYS LATER. WENT THRU ARBITRATION AND LOST.
Owner-reported narrative. 480 miles reported. Look up ODI 11388551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11384639 · 2020-12-22 (December 22, 2020)
VEHICLE SOS CALL LOCKS THE ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND WILL NOT CALL SOS NOR DISCONNECT. NO RADIO AVAILABLE. HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE UCONNECT HAD SERIOUS ELECTRICAL ISSUES.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11384639 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11448615 · 2022-01-24 (January 24, 2022)
In December 2021 the "AWD not available" warning message came on. During a trip, the cruise control did not work. Took car to dealer on January 4, 2022. Diagnostics revealed the following: oil leak in the engine, repaired under the warranty. Body controller module and body wiring failed, replaced under warranty. Power transfer unit failed, power transfer unit replaced under warranty. Car returned to me repaired on January 14, 2022.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11448615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11328321 · 2020-06-11 (June 11, 2020)
VEHICLE STALLS ANYTIME IT IDLES OR COMES TO A STOP. STALLS WHILE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. STALLED WHILE TRYING TO GO STRAIGHT AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN. STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AFTER BEING STOPPED, WAITING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO CLEAR. STALLING IN AN INTERSECTION COULD HAVE CAUSED SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR PROCEEDING ONCOMING TRAFFIC THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. WHEN VEHICLE STALLS, THE EMERGENCY PARKING BRAKE IS ACTIVATED AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 950 miles reported. Look up ODI 11328321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11446187 · 2022-01-04 (January 4, 2022)
Fuel System Failure on top of 2.0 liter jeep turbocharged engine (approx. 53 - 54K miles), resulted in emptying of fuel tank over top of engine while driving on interstate. Vehicle filled after normal operation to low fuel light and driven for 29 miles to shopping center. Ran out of fuel in entrance/exit of shopping center parking lot. Attempted restart caused large volume of fuel to pour out of engine compartment onto ground. No evidence of tampering, photo of failure attached (believe under the split foil jacket). Vehicle did not leak w…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11446187 at NHTSA ↗