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2020 Jeep Cherokee

Gas

Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
10 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11

Safety Signal

81 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record

RecallsNHTSA campaigns3

Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA289

Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★

Fuel economybest combined, EPA26 mpg

2026 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee is sold in the U.S. as a gas compact SUV with 10 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Cherokee FWD, is EPA-rated at 26 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 289 complaints, most often about the power train. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov

Configuration	Powertrain	Drive	Engine / motor	City	Hwy	Comb	Annual fuel*
Cherokee FWD	Gas	FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	23	31	26	$2,400
Cherokee FWD	Gas	FWD	2.4L 4-cyl	22	31	25	$2,500
Cherokee 4WD	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	21	29	24	$2,600
Cherokee 4WD	Gas	AWD	2.4L 4-cyl	21	29	24	$2,600
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	20	27	23	$2,700
Cherokee FWD	Gas	FWD	3.2L 6-cyl	20	29	23	$2,700
Cherokee 4WD	Gas	AWD	3.2L 6-cyl	19	27	22	$2,850
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD	Gas	AWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	20	26	22	$2,850
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II	Gas	AWD	3.2L 6-cyl	18	26	21	$2,950
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD	Gas	AWD	3.2L 6-cyl	18	24	21	$2,950

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 41659, 41660, 41670, 41671, 41673, 41661, 41672, 41675, 41674, 41676.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database

▲high

Power Train

40D

61,711 vehicles

ProblemChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.RiskA failed PTU may result in a loss of drive power or vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.FixThe 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.

NHTSA campaign 26V290000reported May 7, 2026Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)

○minor

Back Over Prevention

W30-W37

319,610 vehicles

ProblemChrysler (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."RiskThe lingering rearview image can distract the driver, increasing the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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.

NHTSA campaign 20V191000reported Sep 10, 2020Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

▲high

Steering

V99

5,294 vehicles

ProblemChrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control.RiskA loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.FixChrysler 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 campaign 19V637000reported Aug 29, 2019Chrysler (FCA US LLC)

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database

289complaints filed

9 involved a crash · 5 a fire · 9 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2019: 1 · 2020: 20 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 16 · 2023: 30 · 2024: 30 · 2025: 101 · 2026: 78

Most-cited components

Power Train165

Engine39

Unspecified35

Electrical System34

Service Brakes23

Steering22

What owners describe

“I will try to answer each question: The electronic emergency brake engaged on its own at a stop light, then later while driving on the highway. Could have easily been re-ended and lost control on freeway causing extreme damage. It was a night, and driving alone. Called dealership, they said to bring it in or tow it but…”Oct 5, 2022 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report

“On 3 separate occasions after being stopped to make a turn vehicle has started to go and then stops moving like its out of gear. It will then make a clunkng noise like its going into gear and start moving again. I have taken it to jeep and they said after 1st two times it needed an update. It has since done it again an…”Aug 29, 2022 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

“The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently stopped. There was a temporary message of no bus, then the instrument panel went blank. The contact waited 10-15 minutes to press the Auto START/STOP button for the vehicle to restart. The vehicle was…”Aug 25, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

Configuration	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
SUV 4WD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	17%
SUV FWD	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	★★★★☆	17%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Cherokee model years

2026 Jeep Cherokee

4 recalls · 3 complaints

2023 Jeep Cherokee

1 recalls · 3 complaints

2022 Jeep Cherokee

3 recalls · 48 complaints

2021 Jeep Cherokee

4 recalls · 156 complaints

2019 Jeep Cherokee

11 recalls · 1,628 complaints

2018 Jeep Cherokee

7 recalls · 683 complaints

2017 Jeep Cherokee

6 recalls · 1,333 complaints

2016 Jeep Cherokee

9 recalls · 1,406 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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