The Lemon IndexAll cars · Jeep Grand Cherokee
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 96 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 49, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 13 to 21 mpg combined. The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 100 YouTube videos about the 2011–2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 21.5M views. The 2020 is the same generation.
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.2M views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Battery Replacement - 2011-2022LJs Garage · 634K views · 11 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring2.2M views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Headlight Bulb Replacement (2011-2019)Inspiring Builds · 893K views · 5 videos - Driveshaft, axles & 4x41.2M views
Shifting The Transfer Case In and Out of Neutral On a 2018 Jeep Grand CherokeeBusMaster99 · 264K views · 10 videos - Transmission & shifter578K views
How to Use Transmission Oil Dipstick 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 218K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door439K views
How to Replace HVAC Blend Door Actuator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 127K views · 4 videos - Spark plugs & ignition coils392K views
Jeep Grand Cherokee Spark Plug Replacement | 2018 WK2 3.6LOutJeeping · 211K views · 2 videos - Cooling system285K views
How to Replace Radiator 2011-2021 Jeep Grand CherokeeTRQ · 195K views · 2 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets207K views
How to Replace Oil Filter Housing and Cooler 2011-2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6L V6TRQ · 207K views
Before you buy, watch
Jeep Grand Cherokee Common Problems - 2011-2022 WK2Kurt of Trades · 497K views
Top 5 Problems Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011-2021 4th Generation1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 472K views
Is The Jeep Grand Cherokee V6 2014-2021 Reliable?! What You Need To Know! 3.6 V6, 4WD, OverlandLJs Garage · 290K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 241 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Jeep Grand Cherokee year. 2020 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 47K miles on the car (65 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 1K–41K miles
Recalls 3
- engine 2023
The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.
- fuel system, diesel 2022
A high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure may introduce internal debris into the fuel system, potentially resulting in fuel starvation.
- back over prevention 2020
A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Jeep told dealers about
Jeep sent dealers 537 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Intelligent Battery Sensor-IBS Installation, Battery Charging Message, Start Stop Charging…
- CEL (Check Engine Lamp) Illuminates, Recent PCM Replace Or Flash Update Performed, DTC P057B…
- Battery Vent Tube Does Not Align With Some New Battery Installations
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenHigh pressure fuel pump failure2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 4WD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SUV 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–6150 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
In owners' words
When using the rear park assist, with my foot completely off the accelerator, the vehicle has spontaneously accelerated while going in reverse, requiring me to hard break to avoid collision. This has happened multiple times.
2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee owner · NHTSA complaint 11297670
More owner reports
Water pump has failed at 61, 573 miles. Jeep issued a warranty extension for water pumps in the 2013-2017 models. It appears they have not corrected the defects in their water pumps.
NHTSA complaint 11545146
While I was parking near the beach, the car started accelerating and the breaks became unresponsive. As a result, the car crushed into the water and got submerged. I was able to leave through the window before it got flooded
NHTSA complaint 11408116
Quick answers
Is the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 2× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 49; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Jeep Grand Cherokee year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (26%), engine (25%) and transmission & drivetrain (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
3 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee get?
13 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 1,400 and 47,000 miles. The middle report was at 13,100 miles, from 65 complaints.
Does the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 18% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $6150 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee have?
3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl, 6.2L 8-cyl, 6.4L 8-cyl.
What Jeep Grand Cherokee year is better than the 2020?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2019 and 2020.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works