Is the 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE reliable?

The 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE has 348 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.2x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: TRANSMISSION problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE?

Top problems: TRANSMISSION (135 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (38 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (37 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA, STEERING:RACK AND PINION:RACK, POWER TRAIN. Contact any Jeep dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE?

The 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE is approximately $1,723/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2020 Jeep CHEROKEE

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE has 348 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 1918. The most common issue is transmission problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle stalls while in motion on city streets and needs to be put into park and drive again to move. vehicle has 85 miles on it. purchased 4 days ago. on day after purchase vehicle stalled while going straight on 2 instances, it stalled on a right turn on 2 instances, it stalled at takeoff after be. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 5 fire reports filed.

5 fire reports 6 crash reports 2 injuries

348

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

TRANSMISSION

135 complaints

39%

• VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND DRIVE AGAIN TO MOVE. VEHICLE HAS 85 MILES ON IT. PURCHASED 4 DAYS AGO. ON DAY AFTER PURCHASE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE GOING STRAIGHT ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED ON A RIGHT TURN ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED AT TAKEOFF AFTER BE
• VEHICLE STALLS ANYTIME IT IDLES OR COMES TO A STOP. STALLS WHILE IN REVERSE OR DRIVE. STALLED SEVERAL TIMES IN REVERSE BACKING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. STALLED WHILE TRYING TO GO STRAIGHT AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP SIGN. STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WHILE TRYING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AFTER B
• VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAKING A CLANKING SOUND WHEN COMING TO A FULL STOP. SOUND SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM DIRECTLY UNDER THE VEHICLE. SOUND GOES AWAY WITH ESC TURNED OFF. JEEP DEALERSHIP WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE SOUND, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND DRIVE AGAIN TO MOVE. VEHICLE HAS 85 MILES ON IT. PURCHASED 4 DAYS AGO. ON DAY AFTER PURCHASE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE GOING STRAIGHT ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED ON A RIGHT TURN ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED AT TAKEOFF AFTER BE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE

Based on 99 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 24K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 6K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

High-mileage issuemedian 51K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA10/09/2020

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2020 Jeep CHEROKEE

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,723

Full coverage / month

$144

Liability only / year

$626

vs US avg

+3%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1723

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Jeep CHEROKEE Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

36 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

100K mi

Cabin air filter

24K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

20K mi

4WD Wrangler/Gladiator have shorter transfer case + differential intervals if off-roaded frequently.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Jeep New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

These are the terms for a new Jeep. If you're buying a used 2020 CHEROKEE, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Jeep dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

TRANSMISSION(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 348 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
TRANSMISSION: VEHICLE STALLS WHILE IN MOTION ON CITY STREETS AND NEEDS TO BE PUT INTO PARK AND DRIVE AGAIN TO MOVE. VEHICLE HAS 85 MILES ON IT. PURCHASED 4 DAYS AGO. ON DAY AFTER PURCHASE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE GOING STRAIGHT ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED ON A RIGHT TURN ON 2 INSTANCES, IT STALLED AT TAKEOFF AFTER BE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: DRIVING MY VEHICLE DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND A THROTTLE ISSUE MESSAGE FLASHED, VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A DRASTIC LOSS OF POWER CAUSING AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION FOR MYSELF AND OTHER MOTORISTS. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH ONLY 8 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, CURR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I TOOK MY FOOT OF THE ACCELERATOR TO APPLY THE BRAKES AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE EVEN AS I APPLIED THE BRAKES. I HAD TO APPLY THE BRAKES FOR A MILE OR TWO UNTIL I COULD SAFELY PULL OVER. ONCE I PULLED OVER AND COMPLETELY STOPPED THE RPMS WENT OVER 7000. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTED IT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND WARNING SOUNDS START GOING OFF. WE LOSE OUR SPEEDOMETER, FUEL GUAGE AND ALL OTHER INSTRUMENTS. THE PARKING BRAKE ENGAGES AS WE ARE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT GEARS. WHEN STOPPED AFTER THIS INCIDENT, THE PARKING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Jeep dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)