2020 Jeep Cherokee
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 167 of 292 complaints (57%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (7) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 1,631 in 2019 to 292 in 2020.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | vs. 2020 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,500–3,400 | 2,400–2,950 | 2,400–2,950 | 2,400–2,950 | 2,400–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–25 | 21–26 | 21–26 | 21–26 | 21–26 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–21 / 24–30 | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–31 | 18–23 / 24–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 361–432 | 345–432 | 345–432 | 345–432 | 345–432 | |
| Complaints filed | 683 | 1,631 | 292 | 157 | 49 | |
| Recalls issued | 7 | 11 | 3 | 4 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 40 | 9 | 10 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 19 | 5 | 4 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 7 | 37 | 9 | 8 | 5 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 167 of 292 NHTSA complaints (57%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2020 Jeep Cherokee get?
EPA rates it 21–26 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
EPA estimates $2,400–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (10)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 23 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 345 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 31 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | $2,500 | 352 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 29 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 387 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 369 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg | 27 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 400 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 387 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 416 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic 9-spd | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 400 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 9-spd | 6 | 3.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 432 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 42 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 167 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 9 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 29 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 22 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 7 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 35 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
POWER TRAIN · Campaign 26V290000 · May 7, 2026
Defect: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The power transfer unit (PTU) may fail.
Consequence: 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 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 · Apr 2, 2020
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."
Consequence: 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:PINION SHAFT; STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK · Campaign 19V637000 · Aug 30, 2019
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.
Consequence: 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.