NHTSA has received 288 owner complaints about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, or 43.1 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.02, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #59 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Jeep models its rate is 41% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 31% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Complaints filed between 2019-10-31 and 2026-09-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 16 days.
288Complaints
43.1Complaints per year on the road
1.02Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
3Recalls
4.9%Share involving a crash or fire
116Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2019) drew 211.5 complaints per year, more than this one. The following model year (2021) drew 27.1 per year, fewer than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2020 model collected 34 complaints, 40% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Transmission / powertrain (52.8% of complaints), followed by Engine (14.6%) and Electrical (6.9%). Transmission / powertrain complaints are 4.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Transmission / powertrain reports, owners most often mention “ptu”, “transfer”, “unit”, “power” and “svc”. 14 reports (4.9%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 9 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 62 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (54% of incidents). In the last 12 months 116 new complaints were filed, versus 75 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for this model year. 66% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles1.02
vs. other Jeep models0.59
vs. other 2020 models1.14
vs. other Compact SUVs0.69
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (34)0.6
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.
On June 24 ,2025 I was in a front end collision resulting in personal injury to with parties. From airbags not deploying on my vehicle. My car was deemed total loss from insurance company.
On [XXX], our 2020 Jeep Cherokee with approximately 62,562 miles experienced a sudden loss of motive power while traveling at highway speed on [XXX] out of Dayton, Wyoming.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-09-02 · ODI 11761622
The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact received notification for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V290000 (Power Train); however, the part to complete the recall repair was not yet available.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-08-27 · ODI 11759994
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…
Electrical · 2026-08-06 · ODI 11755280
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Summary: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Risk: A failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: The remedy is currently under development. Interim owner notification letters explaining the safety risk are expected to be 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.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 20V191000 · 2020-09-10 · Over-the-air fix
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 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.
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.
STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK Campaign 19V637000 · 2019-08-29
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.
Risk: 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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
288 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, or about 43.1 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
The most common category is Transmission / powertrain, accounting for 52.8% of complaints.
Does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2020 Jeep Cherokee still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 116 new complaints were filed, versus 75 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
How does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 288 owner complaints about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, or 43.1 per year on the road — a typical number of complaints for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 1.02, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 82 model-year 2020 vehicles we track, it ranks #59 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Jeep models its rate is 41% lower; against other Compact SUVs it is 31% lower.