NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 337 owner complaints for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee.
Recalled components: powertrain, backover prevention and rearview camera, and steering. Most-described problem: loss of power or limp mode (33 complaints, 10%). Most-reported area: powertrain (202 complaints, 60%; median mileage when it happened: 64,000).
Fewer complaints than a typical Cherokee year
The 2020 drew 50 owner complaints in its first three years, against 309 for a typical Cherokee year (306 for a typical year since 2016). It is not picked as a best year: its first three years fell in the pandemic, when people drove less.
Years to avoid: 2014 and 2015; best year: 2021. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
Risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.
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: The lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 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.
The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control.
Risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles.
NHTSA listing: CHEROKEE. Components: Steering: rack and pinion, pinion shaft; Steering: rack and pinion, rack. Jeep campaign V99.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee.
What owners report
Owners have filed 337 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Cherokee. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Loss of power or limp mode33 · 10%
Stalling or shutting off19 · 6%
Check engine light18 · 5%
Jerking, lurching or harsh shifting12 · 4%
Power steering problems or locked steering11 · 3%
Steering rack problems: sticking, play or pulling10 · 3%
Most named: transfer case (4-wheel drive) (3) · Median 64,000 miles at failure, from 54 reports with mileage
Engine46 · 14%
Electrical system36 · 11%
Brakes27 · 8%
Steering22 · 7%
Forward collision avoidance10 · 3%
Most named: automatic emergency braking (8)
Fuel and propulsion system10 · 3%
Unknown or other37 · 11%
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Jeep Cherokee recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2020 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2014 Cherokee drew the most (999) and the 2020 drew 50.
Owner complaints
2020: 337 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Jeep Cherokee
Model year
Complaints
2014
2,652
2015
1,794
2016
1,415
2017
1,342
2018
692
2019
1,683
2020
337
2021
183
2022
52
2023
3
2026
9
Safety recalls
2020: 3 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Jeep Cherokee
Model year
Recalls
2014
13
2015
11
2016
9
2017
6
2018
7
2019
11
2020
3
2021
4
2022
3
2023
1
2026
4
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 337 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, the problems described most are loss of power or limp mode (33), stalling or shutting off (19), and the check engine light coming on (18). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee safe?
In NHTSA crash tests every tested version of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee earns 4 stars overall. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee.
How do I check if my Cherokee has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Jeep dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Nov 12, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Nov 11, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Nov 12, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: CHEROKEE.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.