Model year 2020 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Jeep Cherokee: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings

EPA rates the 2020 Jeep Cherokee at 21–26 mpg combined across 10 versions. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 334 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.

Safety recalls

EPA combined mpg

21–26

NHTSA overall rating

4/5

Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT

Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Jeep dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.

2020 Jeep Cherokee recalls

NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, newest first.

Power train

NHTSA 26V290000 Reported May 7, 2026

Filed by: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. 40D)
Units affected: 61,711 (estimate)
Problem: 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 this recall is 40D. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning May 14, 2026.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Back over prevention: Sensing system: Camera

NHTSA 20V191000 Reported Sep 10, 2020

Filed by: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. W30-W37)
Units affected: 319,610 (estimate)
Problem: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Steering: Rack and pinion: Rack and 1 more component

NHTSA 19V637000 Reported Aug 29, 2019

Filed by: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (manufacturer recall no. V99)
Components: Steering: Rack and pinion: Rack; Steering: Rack and pinion: Pinion shaft
Units affected: 5,294 (estimate)
Problem: 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.

Full recall record on nhtsa.gov

Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.

2020 Jeep Cherokee fuel economy by version

EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.

2020 Jeep Cherokee EPA fuel economy
Version	Engine	Transmission	Drive	Fuel	City/Hwy/Comb	Fuel cost/yr	CO2 g/mi
Cherokee 4WD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/29/24 mpg	$2,800	369
Cherokee 4WD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	21/29/24 mpg	$2,800	370
Cherokee 4WD	3.2L 6-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	19/27/22 mpg	$3,050	400
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/27/23 mpg	$2,900	387
Cherokee 4WD Active Drive II	3.2L 6-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	18/26/21 mpg	$3,200	416
Cherokee FWD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 9-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	23/31/26 mpg	$2,600	345
Cherokee FWD	2.4L 4-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	22/31/25 mpg	$2,700	352
Cherokee FWD	3.2L 6-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	Front-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/29/23 mpg	$2,900	387
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	20/26/22 mpg	$3,050	400
Cherokee Trailhawk 4WD	3.2L 6-cyl	Automatic 9-spd	All-Wheel Drive	Regular	18/24/21 mpg	$3,200	432

Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.

EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.

2020 Jeep Cherokee crash-test ratings

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

2020 Jeep Cherokee NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk	Forward collision warning
2020 Jeep Cherokee SUV 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars	16.9%	Optional
2020 Jeep Cherokee SUV FWD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars	17.4%	Optional

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.

Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.

2020 Jeep Cherokee owner complaints

Owners have filed 334 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, most recently on Oct 25, 2026. 9 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 9 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.

Most-cited components in 2020 Jeep Cherokee complaints
Component named in complaints	Mentions
Power train	195
Engine	46
Unknown or other	37
Electrical system	34
Service brakes	25
Steering	21
Fuel/propulsion system	10
Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking	8
Vehicle speed control	8
Air bags	7

Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.

Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.

Other Jeep Cherokee model years

Jeep Cherokee by model year
Year	Combined	Recalls	Complaints	Overall rating
2026 Cherokee	37 mpg	4	9	—
2023 Cherokee	22–24 mpg	1	3	4/5
2022 Cherokee	21–26 mpg	3	52	4/5
2021 Cherokee	21–26 mpg	4	176	4/5
2019 Cherokee	21–26 mpg	11	1,671	4/5
2018 Cherokee	21–25 mpg	7	688	4/5
2017 Cherokee	21–25 mpg	6	1,338	4/5
2016 Cherokee	22–25 mpg	9	1,412	4/5
2015 Cherokee	21–25 mpg	11	1,778	4/5

All Jeep Cherokee years compared · Decode a VIN

Other 2020 Jeep models

2020 Jeep Compass 2020 Jeep Gladiator Pickup 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2020 Jeep Renegade 2020 Jeep Wrangler

Sources

Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Jeep.