ESC Light Illuminated. DTC C1252-92 VACUUM PUMP CONTROL CIRCUIT And Or P258B ELECTRONIC VACUUM PUMP PERFORMANCE
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Jeep Cherokee brakes problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Cherokee | 39 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 23 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 20 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 47 |
| 2020 Cherokee (this page) | 10 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 7 |
1crash
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
DIFFERENTIAL, Rear Axle (KL 4WD w/DK4 = 2-SPEED RDM) The Differential, Rear Axle (aka RDM) design, pump design, Driveline Control Module (aka DLCM) hardware & software and pressure sensor have all changed in the past few years. The chages are not interchangeable and each had a separate implementation date. Please comprehend it to avoid repeat repairs. There are 2 sections each with 3 sub-sections: 1) For 2014/5 VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 2) For 2016 and later VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 1) For 2014/5 VINs with DK4 = 2-spd RDM 2014 - 2015 VINs built with a 2-speed RDM used a 24 plate clutch design. Service RDMs (DK4: 68545100AA and DK4 + AWL: 68545101AA) have a 20-plate design. 1.1) If replacing
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗DIFFERENTIAL, Rear Axle (KL 4WD w/DK2 = 1-SPEED RDM) The Differential, Rear Axle (aka RDM) design, pump design, Driveline Control Module (aka DLCM) hardware & software and pressure sensor have all changed in the past few years. The changes are not interchangeable and each had a separate implementation date. Please comprehend it to avoid repeat repairs. There are 2 sections each with 3 sub-sections: 1) For 2014/5 VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 2) For 2016 and later VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 1) For 2014/5 VINs with DK2 = 1-spd RDM 2014 - 2015 VINs were built with a 1-speed RDM used a 24 plate clutch design. New service RDMs 68550586A$ use a 20-plate design. 1.1) If replacing the RDM · 24 plate and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Rear Tires Rubbing On Splash Shields/Wheel Liners This bulletin involves inspecting for the wrong size tire and wheel assemblies and possibly replacing all five wheel assemblies, Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) sensors, flashing the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and performing a Proxi alignment. Customers may experience the following condition: The rear 17 in. tires are rubbing on the wheel liners. This condition is due to an incorrect 17 in. tire and wheel size, for the North Edition packages that require 18 in. tires and wheels.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Rear Tires Rubbing On Splash Shields/Wheel Liners This bulletin involves inspecting for the wrong size tire and wheel assemblies and possibly replacing all five wheel assemblies, Tire Pressure Monitoring (TPM) sensors, flashing the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) and performing a Proxi alignment. Customers may experience the following condition: The rear 17 in. tires are rubbing on the wheel liners. This condition is due to an incorrect 17 in. tire and wheel size, for the North Edition packages that require 18 in. tires and wheels.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe two related brake system failures in 2020 Cherokees. The more frequent complaint is the electronic parking brake engaging without warning while the vehicle is in motion—at traffic lights, on highways at 55–70 mph, or at 25–30 mph—then sometimes stalling and refusing to release until the engine restarts. One owner has visited dealerships three times over 30 days without resolution; another made two separate dealer trips where technicians couldn't duplicate the problem. One dealership found an emergency brake module failure and ordered the replacement part, but most shops report clean diagnostics despite the issue happening repeatedly.
The second failure involves the Forward Collision Avoidance automatic emergency braking system misfiring. It activates at a complete stop or light, throwing the vehicle into hard braking and rollback, or engages on the highway without any collision threat. During one event, the brake pedal became unresponsive mid-stop, steering was cut off, and the owner collided with the vehicle ahead at 25 mph. Owners report ABS warning lights but no diagnostic codes turning up during dealer scans. Most vehicles have not been repaired, and some owners weren't comfortable taking the car back to the shop.
Same Jeep Cherokee brakes reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Automatic emergency braking system malfunction
Forward Collision Avoidance (FCAV) Automatic Emergency Braking system activates spontaneously without driver input or imminent collision threat, bringing the vehicle to an abrupt stop and sometimes causing vehicle rollback. Occurs at various speeds including traffic stops.
When: 80,000 miles; occurs regularly after initial event
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt unintended braking; Vehicle rollback after emergency brake engagement; ABS warning light illumination; Steering cut off during braking event; Loss of brake control during incident
Codes mentioned: ABS warning light
Electronic parking brake spontaneous engagement
Electronic parking brake engages automatically without driver activation while vehicle is in motion at various speeds (highway, residential, stopped at lights/signs). Vehicle may stall after engagement and require multiple restart attempts before brake disengages. Occurs randomly and intermittently over weeks/months.
When: Multiple instances over 2 years; recent cluster within last 3 months
Symptoms owners cite: Spontaneous parking brake engagement while driving; Random timing and variable speeds (25 mph to 70 mph); Vehicle stalling after brake engagement; Parking brake won't disengage without restart; Service parking brake light illumination; Brake button flashing; Rotational grinding noise before engagement
Codes mentioned: Service parking brake light, Auto start/stop light, Flashing e-brake button light
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reported dealership diagnosed emergency brake module failure requiring replacement; part ordered.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Multiple dealership visits (at least three for one owner, two for another) with no resolution or duplication of issue despite diagnostic testing; dealers reported 'no codes thrown' or 'everything came up fine'.
Brake system loss of function during collision avoidance event
During FCAV system activation, brake pedal became unresponsive mid-stop sequence. Owner attempted evasive maneuver but steering was cut off simultaneously; brake pedal kicked back to half position leaving owner unable to complete braking action, resulting in collision.
When: 08/09/2024; approximately 25-30 mph during emergency braking scenario
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illumination; Unresponsive brake pedal during system activation; Brake pedal physical resistance/kickback; Steering cut off during braking event; Loss of vehicle control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle struck another vehicle at 25 mph; collision occurred.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The parking brake comes on without being activated. Causing the jeep to stop.
Had brakes trouble with your 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 10 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 80,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2020/Jeep/Cherokee.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.