The Lemon Index

All cars · Jeep Cherokee · 2020

2020 Jeep Cherokee. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index58100 = average car
Complaints80NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold135,855U.S. model year
Per 100K sold59complaints
Year rank#2 of 9#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 6

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto 9-spdFWD23 / 31 / 26Regular$2,400
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto 9-spdAWD21 / 29 / 24Regular$2,600
2.4L 4-cylAuto 9-spdFWD22 / 31 / 25Regular$2,500
2.4L 4-cylAuto 9-spdAWD21 / 29 / 24Regular$2,600
3.2L 6-cylAuto 9-spdFWD20 / 29 / 23Regular$2,700
3.2L 6-cylAuto 9-spdAWD19 / 27 / 22Regular$2,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,800 and 73,000 miles. Median 50,000, from 94 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Transmission & drivetrain64,00048,800–79,80050
Engine14,9001,200–49,90012
Electrical5,6001,700–53,2008
Brakes5,6001,900–21,8006
Steering17,5001,600–32,1008

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Transmission & drivetrain29%
Electrical24%
Engine20%
Brakes14%
Steering9%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
325976028

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 3

  • 26V290000 May 2026 Power Train

    Defect. 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. 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

  • 20V191000 Sep 2020 Back Over Prevention / Sensing System / Camera

    Defect. 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.

  • 19V637000 Aug 2019 Steering / Rack And Pinion / Rack

    Defect. 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.

Manufacturer communications 388

Jeep filed 388 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • SEAL, Input If looking to replace stubshaft due to ATX fluid leaking, do not replace PTU seals
  • Camshaft Whining Noise This bulletin involves replacing the camshaft
  • Intelligent Battery Sensor-IBS Installation, Battery Charging Message, Start Stop Charging…

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆
Jeep Cherokee SUV FWD★★★★☆★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardOptionalOptional

YouTube repair topics

100 videos about the 2014–2023 Jeep Cherokee, 27.6M views.

TopicVideosViews
Infotainment, battery & electrical5927K
Oil changes & service1492K
Driveshaft, axles & 4x43469K
Gauges, lights & wiring2408K
Heat, A/C & blend door3361K
Spark plugs & ignition coils2327K
Transmission & shifter2245K
Fuel pump, filter & tank1181K

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2017381719169,882Transmission & drivetrain
2018159384239,437Electrical
2019337708191,397Engine
20205880135,855Transmission & drivetrain
2021646589,126Transmission & drivetrain
2022463140,322Transmission & drivetrain
2023–327,449Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data