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2020 Jeep Cherokee: check engine light

23 of the 337 complaints about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee describe check engine light.

owner complaints
23
of this car's complaints
7%
typical mileage
1,462
recalls
0
Is there a fix? 41 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

What owners say

Filed Oct 5, 2026 · Engine, Transmission · GA

Engine light comes on, whenever you attempt to accelerate from a stop (like a traffic light), the vehicle will coast into the intersection, causing a traffic hazard. It has done this multiple times. At 60,300 miles, dealership told me that engine was not covered. I purchased a new engine, which never fixed the problem. 5 different times they reset dash board, but the it cont'd before I can get home. Dealership gaslights with they could not get pr0blem repeated. But as soon as warranty expire(eed), dealership admides car needs 2nd new engine. $9k.

Filed Oct 1, 2026 · Driver assistance, Electrical · IL

Driving after work on 53S my jeep decided to only go 5mph engine light turned on among other light. Svc 4wd. Had to pull over the interstate shoulder that’s under construction and had very small space to park without getting hit by others.

Filed Sep 20, 2026 · Engine · KS

While driving my 2020 Jeep Cherokee Latitude Plus (2.0L turbo engine), the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle began misfiring with a severe loss of power and abnormal engine noise. A compression test confirmed lost compression in one or more cylinders. The dealer inspected the engine and diagnosed internal piston damage, consistent with piston ring land failure. Research shows this is a known failure pattern in 2019-2023 Jeep Cherokee turbo engines, including a pending class action investigation (Sauder Schelkopf) for premature engine failure caused by lost cylinder compression, misfire codes, and dealerships declining coverage. Reports describe melted pistons and collapsed ring lands, often in cylinder #2, possibly related to low-speed pre-ignition or the PCM incorrectly detecting fuel octane and over-advancing ignition timing. The failed engine components are available for inspection upon request. This failure occurred at highway speed with no prior warning beyond the check engine light, creating a safety hazard from sudden power loss. The engine is a 2.0L turbo GME (Hurricane) engine. Please investigate this defect pattern for a potential safety recall.

Filed Sep 9, 2026 · Transmission · 120,000 miles · NC

The contact's mother-in-law owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the “Service 4WD” warning light illuminated. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with PTU failure. The contact was informed that the PTU needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact was informed that the vehicle was safe to drive. The vehicle was not repaired, and the failure reoccurred. The failure was persistent, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was contacted by phone and made aware of the failure, and a case was filed. The contact was informed that the repair was not covered under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2026 · Engine · 330,000 miles · WI

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle intermittently lost automotive power and there was an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle independently accelerated. The failure had occurred on several occasions. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 330,000.

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 Dec 26, 2025 · Transmission · NE

My PTU failed while driving 70mph on a 4 lane interstate during a heavy rush hour, I'm 7 months pregnant and this was mortifying for me. I lost all power moving forward and could not accelerate. My RPMS would near red-line. When I pulled on to the shoulder, while trying to not get hit or cause an accident from 3 lanes over, I put my car in park and shut it off, it sounded like a dying weedwhacker. It started rolling backwards without me noticing and I almost rolled back into the outside lane. I put on the e-brake, had it towed to Firestone where they said it was likely the PTU that failed as I have every gear, except moving forward. When they had my vehicle on the lift they moved the tires in reverse motion and there was no noise, when they moved the tires in forward motion there was a loud knocking coming out of the PTU and the tires wouldn't budge. If in park on a decline, park works. If in park on an incline or flat, it rolls backwards. It can drive in reverse, but no forward movement at all. I got it towed to another shop where they took out&opened the PTU and checked the gears on the shaft inside, one of the gears was COMPLETELY MISSING. Just completely disintegrated. There was NO warning that anything was failing on my car. No check engine lights, no noises. Just loss of acceleration. PTUs are on back order 3-5 months right now because they're a known issue on the 2017-2019 models of Jeeps. My Jeep is a 2020 Trailhawk with the v6 3.2l.

Filed Sep 15, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · DE

Parking break engages when car comes to a stop engine light is on them goes off

Filed Aug 15, 2025 · Engine · MN

Engine warning light came on. Bloomington Chrysler Jeep repair shop said the active grill shutter connector wasn't working. This can cause engine overheating and damage and possibly a fire. I did not have this happen, as I caught it early.

Filed Jul 13, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WI

My Jeep keeps going into Limp Mode and not will completely shut off while I come to a complete stop at a stop light. And while I’m driving the engine light comes on. I can cycle it through to get the engine light off. Then it runs fine. This has been happening since after I bought it. I’ve taken back to the dealership I got it from and they couldn’t find anything wrong with it, so they took it to a Jeep dealership and got the same answer. Clearly there is something wrong with it. And could cause me to get into an accident. This is my only vehicle for transportation. The code that shows up is P0934

Filed Apr 15, 2025 · Body, Engine · 50,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that on several occasions while driving at various speeds, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that on several occasions, after driving for several miles, the temperature gauge remained at HOT(H). The vehicle was steered to the side of the road each time and turned off for 10 minutes before restarting. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that there was a malfunction in the active grill system that needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

Filed Mar 1, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · WI

The engine light comes on randomly. And causes the transmission to bog down and unable to accelerate. We have to pull over and shut the vehicle off and cycle it a few times to get the engine light to come off and then it drives fine. Has happened multiple times and has happened on the highway while driving. I’ve also had the vehicle completely shut off while driving. I’ve taken it to 2 dealerships and was told there is nothing wrong with it. I’m afraid it will cause a bad accident and I’m gonna get hurt if this issue isn’t resolved soon. The Dealership I bought it from Tim Witt Chevrolet in Crivitz Wi. And they took it to Riverside Jeep Dealership in Marinette Wi.

Service bulletins that may apply

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee check engine light

Is check engine light a common problem on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?

23 of 337 owner complaints about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee (7%) mention check engine light. The model year with the most reports is 2014.

Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?

There are 0 recalls and 41 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.

Other symptoms on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee

Loss of power 28Grinding brakes 24Stalling 18Jerking 15Harsh shifting 11Fire or smoke 9Won't start 8Power steering loss 7Engine failure 6Start-stop 6Transmission failure 6Adaptive cruise 5Slipping 5Warning lights 5

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