Owners have reported 30 crashes, 10 fires and 20 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints148
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee frequently report issues with the transmission, including slipping, rough shifting, and failure to engage gears. Symptoms often include the check engine light activating, vehicles stalling or losing power unexpectedly, and difficulty shifting into park or reverse. These problems are commonly reported at mileage ranges from around 26,000 to over 100,000 miles. Safety implications are notable, with reports of the vehicle stalling on highways and two incidents involving fires, one of which led to a vehicle being engulfed in flames. For potential buyers, these patterns suggest a need for careful inspection of the transmission system, especially concerning its history of repairs or replacements.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints71
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners report frequent issues with the 2020 Jeep Cherokee's electrical system, particularly related to screen delamination in the infotainment system, which leads to phantom touches, malfunctioning GPS, and unreliable rearview camera images. Complaints often describe problems with starting the vehicle, with some indicating that the vehicle shuts off unexpectedly, sometimes while driving or when stationary. These issues are typically reported around 44,000 to 60,000 miles. Safety implications are noted, including one crash linked to sudden acceleration and braking issues, and multiple reports of the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly. For used car buyers, these patterns suggest potential concerns with the infotainment system and vehicle reliability at moderate mileage.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints49
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Owners report several issues with the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, notably involving the delamination of the dashboard touchscreen, which affects visibility and functionality of vehicle controls. This delamination often occurs without warning and can rapidly worsen, impacting safety features and navigation systems. Additionally, multiple owners describe spontaneous shattering of the sunroof glass while driving, posing a potential injury risk if the interior screen is open. Some complaints involve the vehicle stalling unexpectedly due to inaccurate fuel gauge readings, with incidents occurring at highway speeds, risking loss of control. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, with no specific timeline pattern consistently emerging.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 2 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints39
ENGINE
Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee frequently report issues related to engine failures, with common symptoms including oil and coolant leaks, engine misfires, and stalling. Several complaints highlight problems with the oil filter housing and water pump, often leading to significant engine damage and costly repairs. These issues typically arise around 50,000 to 115,000 miles. Safety implications are evident, as some owners describe sudden loss of power while driving, which can pose a risk of accidents. Additionally, six reports involve engine fires, underscoring potential safety hazards for prospective buyers.
Severity signals: 0 crash, 6 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints28
STEERING
Owners report multiple issues with the steering system in the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, with common symptoms including loss of power steering, heavy or stiff steering, and the steering wheel pulling to one side. Complaints frequently mention problems with the electrical power steering system cutting in and out, and some describe the steering rack and pinion system failing, leading to a complete loss of control. These issues often occur around 20,000 to 35,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with reports of crashes, including one with an injury, due to steering failure. Buyers should be aware that several owners relate their experiences to a known recall, although they note their specific vehicles are not included.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 1 injury reports
Owner complaints15
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee frequently report issues with air bags not deploying during crashes, with 13 out of 15 complaints involving accidents. Typical symptoms include head-on collisions and significant impacts where air bags fail to activate, leading to injuries such as fractures, bruises, and concussions. Most incidents occur at varying speeds, with reported mileages ranging from 8,000 to 70,000 miles. Some owners also describe unexpected air bag deployment without a collision, resulting in additional injuries. These patterns suggest potential safety implications, especially in crash scenarios, and are important for potential buyers to consider.
Severity signals: 13 crash, 0 fire, 16 injury reports
Owner complaints13
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners report two primary issues with the 2020 Jeep Cherokee's braking system: the automatic engagement of the parking brake while driving and repeated failures of the ABS module. Complaints frequently mention the parking brake activating unexpectedly, causing the vehicle to stop abruptly at various speeds, including highway speeds, which has led to near-crash situations. Additionally, multiple owners describe the ABS module needing replacement multiple times, with one owner detailing three replacements over four years. Crashes are noted in three reports, with incidents involving brake lockup and unexpected acceleration leading to collisions. These issues often occur at varied mileages, with some reports indicating problems as early as 7,713 miles. Potential buyers should be aware of these reported safety risks and the recurring nature of these problems.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints10
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee frequently report issues related to unintended acceleration and cruise control malfunctions. Complaints often describe the vehicle accelerating rapidly beyond the set cruise control speed, requiring drivers to deactivate the system manually. Unintended acceleration incidents sometimes occur during normal driving, with reports of the vehicle continuing to accelerate despite brake application, leading to four reported crashes. These issues are noted at various mileage ranges, from as low as 500 miles to over 60,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, as several incidents resulted in collisions with stationary objects, raising potential concerns for prospective buyers about the reliability of the vehicle's speed control systems.
Severity signals: 4 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports
Owner complaints9
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee frequently report issues with the fuel propulsion system, particularly related to the fuel pump. Several complaints describe the vehicle failing to start on the first attempt, requiring a second try, often attributed to a fuel pump problem. A few reports mention fuel leaks, including one instance where a fuel supply tube failure led to a significant gas spill in a garage. Fuel line issues are also noted, with cracked fittings causing fuel to spray onto hot engine components, posing a fire risk. These problems are reported at various mileages, with some occurring shortly after purchase. Safety concerns include potential fire hazards and loss of vehicle control due to engine stalling, which may impact a buyer's decision regarding this model.
Owner complaints9
SUSPENSION
Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee report several suspension-related issues. Commonly mentioned problems include premature failure of front ball joints and control arms, with some replacements occurring around 60,000 miles. Shocks are also reported to fail under 50,000 miles, leading to safety concerns, especially for those transporting passengers. Multiple complaints describe noises such as thumping from the rear and scraping sounds when driving over bumps, with some issues recurring despite repairs. A few reports indicate significant safety implications, such as sudden vehicle collapse or loss of braking effectiveness, particularly around 16,000 to 52,000 miles. These patterns suggest potential reliability concerns for buyers considering a used model.
