2020 Jeep Cherokee: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Transmission · WI

Service four-wheel-drive light came on mileage was at 83,000 miles approximately took it to the Chrysler dealer and they replaced my PTU motor. I believe this motor was recalled on an earlier years as a recall I think this year should be a recall . Also, now, September 27, 2026 I drove my vehicle /Jeep to church I parked it and it lit on fire and burned to the ground. Nothing left of it. Don’t know if it had anything to do with that PTU unit.

Filed Sep 24, 2026 · Engine · MI · fire

Engine caught fire while parked

Filed May 19, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · NY

2020 Jeep Cherokee Limited AWD, VIN [XXX] , approx. 111,355 miles. Reporting serious safety concern: repeated/worsening electrical system failure with intermittent loss of power steering assist. For nearly a year, Auto Start/Stop warning and battery warning lights have appeared. During episodes, power steering assist can stop working, especially at complete stops, making steering extremely difficult when stopped, parking, or pulling out. Battery, alternator, battery cables/connections, and belt have been replaced, but issue continues and is worsening. Recently while driving, radio shut off, dash/instrument cluster began shutting down, blower motor cycled on/off repeatedly, and windshield wipers slowed while raining. Warnings included battery/charging, Auto Start/Stop, Service Electronic Stability Control, Service Park Brake, ABS, traction control, check engine, and Blind Spot Alerts Unavailable. Vehicle vibrated/ran rough, sounded like it might stall, then revved back up. Burning smell noted after failure and possible smoke near rear after shutdown. Vehicle was towed home due to safety risk. After tow, vehicle restarted but same warnings returned within minutes and radio/dash failures repeated. Concerned this is system-wide electrical, charging, power distribution, ground, or steering assist failure that could cause loss of steering assist, visibility systems, or safety systems while driving INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jan 30, 2025 · Fuel system · MI

While using the remote start feature to warm car in attached garage (with door open), car started then after a minute stalled out. I tried to remote start again and it did not start. went to vehicle to start with key fob present, as I went into attached garage there was a strong odor of gas. started vehicle and removed outside of garage to find a huge puddle of gas on ground in attached garage. fuel leaked out while running using remote start! had car towed to dealership, they informed me that the fuel supply tube had failed (part# 68489840AA). repair cost of $610 plus $ 128 for towing. this could have been a total loss of car and garage, possibly LIFE, along with house that is attached to garage!!!!! or it could have caught fire will driving. DANGER DANGER!!!!!! our whole house had the worst gas fumes all day, cleaned up spilled fuel as best as possable and a week later still has a odor of the spilled fuel!

Filed Aug 29, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · CA · fire

Upon driving at approx 20mph in traffic on the highway, there was a sudden loss of power in acceleration. Smoke was seen around the vehicle. Multiple lights flashed on the dashboard and then quickly went blank. As I was pulling to the side of the road I noticed flames coming from the front right side of the vehicle. The brakes no longer worked. I got out of the vehicle as smoke was seeping into the cabin. I was able to retrieve my phone and bag. Approx. 30 seconds after exiting the vehicle and moving away there was a small explosion. Over the course of the next few minutes there were multiple other explosions. Emergency services were called immediately. The vehicle burnt to the ground completely.

Filed Jun 20, 2024 · Engine · 26,900 miles · VA · fire

The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the four-wheel drive overheated warning light illuminated. The contact reduced the speed, and the vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that a nearby driver pulled over and informed the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The nearby driver also assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The contact stated that there were several explosions. The contact stated that the vehicle was burned to the ground. The fire department and the local police arrived on the scene. There were no injuries sustained. A Fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. In addition, the case is currently under investigation. The failure mileage was approximately 26, 900.

Filed Dec 1, 2021 · Engine · 16,800 miles · MA · fire

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact noticed that the vehicle was on fire while parked in a parking lot. The contact mentioned the fire caused 2 other vehicles to catch on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and determined the fire was caused by the engine. A police report was filed. The vehicle was damaged. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was towed to a body shop. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,800.

Filed Jul 16, 2021 · Engine · 13,000 miles · ME · fire

The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his nephew was driving approximately 70 mph, a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The driver then noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The driver stopped the vehicle and exited. No further information was available. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away from the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.

Filed Jan 28, 2021 · Engine · 3,000 miles · MA · fire

Tl* the contact leases a 2020 jeep cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, an unknown burning odor occurred. The contact stated that another vehicle alerted her that the vehicle was on fire underneath. The contact quickly coasted over to the side of the road and as she exit the vehicle the hood exploded engulfed into flames. The contact stated that the vehicle burned down to a crist. The fire department extinguished the fire of what had left of the vehicle. A fire and police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot and was later taken by the vehicle insurance to an insurance auto auction lot where it still remained. The contact called kelly jeep chrysler, 353 broadway, lynnfield, ma 01940, and informed them of the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. The VIN was not available.