Flash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: exhibit/set one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): ● **P0111-00 - Intake Air Temperature Sensor 1 Circuit Range Performance Bank 1. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0071-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Performance. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0072-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" Low. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0073-00 - Ambient Air Temperature Sensor Circuit "A" High. (In Active or Stored status) ● P0011-00 - Bank 1 Camshaft 1 Position Timing Over Advanced Or. (In Active or Stored status) ● P2
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2020 Jeep Cherokee engine problems
severe Owners of the 2020 Jeep Cherokee have filed 19 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 16,800 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
19
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2016 Cherokee | 137 |
| 2017 Cherokee | 104 |
| 2018 Cherokee | 73 |
| 2019 Cherokee | 183 |
| 2020 Cherokee (this page) | 19 |
| 2021 Cherokee | 9 |
5fires
When does it fail?
Of the 19 engine complaints filed for the 2020 Jeep Cherokee, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
Before replacing any parts please refer to SOL S2518000008 if it applies to the vehicle you are working on based on a VIN search in Service Library. Before replacing this part due to Engine Light On with P1CEA (Boost Side EVAP Purge System Performance), check for: 1) Improperly connected or kinked/pinched Purge Hoses at the Ejector Tees on the Air Box or Duct. 2) Improperly connected or kinked/pinched Purge Hose at the Purge Solenoid or OBD Valve. 3) Improperly connected or kinked/pinched Purge Hose at the Intake. 4) Check for the correct Purge Hoses installation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗THROTTLE BODY
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On "
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Service 4wd Light On, AWD System Service Required Message Illuminated. Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C14A7-97 PTU Motor Component Or System Operation Obstructed Or Blocked, Set.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2020 Jeep Cherokee engine complaints fall into several distinct categories. Early-life power loss and stalling appear within the first 500 miles to 2,000 miles, with check-engine lights and throttle-issue messages, sometimes clearing after sitting four hours. Overheating and fire are the most severe: multiple owners reported vehicle fires between 3,000 and 26,900 miles, some while driving at highway speeds, others while parked. These fires occurred suddenly with burning odors, flames from the engine compartment or front end, multiple explosions, and complete vehicle destruction. Several owners reported the four-wheel-drive system overheating warning light preceding fires.
Oil-related failures appear frequently. Low oil pressure warnings appear as early as 1,400 miles, with one dealer acknowledging the issue but recommending owners add a quart every 1,500 miles. Oil consumption of up to 3 quarts by 26,000 miles has been reported. Oil leaks from the canister and oil-filter housing (plastic) have been noted, with concerns raised about fire risk. One owner reported a piston failure and complete engine failure. Active grill shutter malfunction has caused check-engine lights and temperature-gauge issues, with replacement costs cited around $600. Oxygen sensor and PCM failures requiring multiple repairs within 2,000 miles have also been documented. One owner reported jerking and abnormal sounds at 49,413 miles with no warning light.
Same Jeep Cherokee engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Engine Fire
Multiple reports of vehicle fires occurring between 3,000 and 26,900 miles, some while driving at highway speeds or low speeds in traffic, others while parked. Fires featured burning odors, flames from engine compartment or front end, loss of brakes, dashboard lights going blank, and multiple explosions. Vehicles burned to the ground completely. Two fires also ignited nearby parked vehicles.
When: 3,000 to 26,900 miles; occurred while driving and while parked
Symptoms owners cite: Burning odor inside cabin or underneath vehicle; Flames visible from engine compartment or front right side; Smoke around vehicle or entering cabin; Loss of brakes; Dashboard lights flashing then going blank; Four-wheel-drive overheating warning light illuminated prior to fire
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle condemned to total loss; fire department responded; fire and police reports filed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware and cases filed; investigations underway
Low Oil Pressure and Oil Consumption
Low oil pressure warnings appearing as early as 1,400 miles, with one dealership advising owners to add a quart every 1,500 miles. Excessive oil consumption reported—up to 3 quarts by 26,000 miles. Oil leaks from canister and plastic oil-filter housing, with owner concern about fire risk. One dealership noted customers experiencing stalling in turns and called it a 'safety feature.'
When: 1,400 to 84,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Low oil pressure warning light illuminated; Engine RPM fluctuation and near-stall; Oil visible underneath front end; Oil smell while driving; Stalling in tight turns; Excessive oil consumption
Repairs/costs cited: Owner advised to add quart every 1,500 miles; plastic oil-filter housing replacement mentioned as fire risk
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership acknowledged issue but declined repair coverage
Early-Life Throttle Loss and Stalling
Drastic loss of power and throttle-issue messages occurring within first 500 to 2,000 miles, sometimes in rush-hour traffic creating unsafe conditions. Check-engine light illuminates. Issue intermittent and difficult for dealers to replicate; reportedly clears after vehicle sits with engine off for 4 hours. Owner research linked issue to 2019 Cherokee recalls, with some owners reporting problems persisted after software update. No stored codes sometimes available for diagnostics.
When: 500 to 2,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Throttle issue message displayed; Drastic loss of power and acceleration; Unsafe driving condition in traffic; Intermittent nature; clears after 4-hour soak
Repairs/costs cited: Software update reportedly recommended but did not resolve issue in some cases
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership did not mention known issue; article references 2019 recall for same 2.4L engine issue
Active Grill Shutter Malfunction
Active grill shutter system stopped responding to vehicle computer, resulting in check-engine light illumination. Temperature gauge remained stuck at HOT(H) on several occasions, requiring vehicle to be pulled over and engine shut off for 10 minutes before restarting. Replacement part cost approximately $600.
When: 50,000 miles and 11 months after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminated; Temperature gauge stuck at HOT(H); Vehicle jerking during operation
Repairs/costs cited: Active grill shutter malfunction diagnosed; part replacement ~$600; dealer refused reimbursement when owner used independent mechanic
PTU (Power Transfer Unit) Failure
Faulty PTU part (68333254AI) detected at 43,230 miles causing loss of power to wheels and potential loss of control. Four-wheel-drive system service warning light illuminated. Repair cost $3,129.81 (part, labor, fluid). Owner noted warranty had expired two days prior to warning light activation, though light came on before warranty end date. Owner aware of 2017-2019 recall and class action lawsuit for same issue but 2020 model not recalled.
When: 43,230 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service 4WD/AWD System Service Required light illumination; Loss of power to wheels reported as risk; Potential loss of control and crash risk
Repairs/costs cited: PTU part #68333254AI replacement; $3,129.81 quote for part, labor, and fluid; parts availability extended
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty denied; known safety issue for 2017-2019 models but 2020 not recalled
Oxygen Sensor and PCM Failures
Check-engine light appeared on day 29 of ownership with P0139 code (oxygen sensor circuit issue). Oxygen sensor replaced, but code returned the next day. PCM/ECM computer then replaced; check-engine light returned within two weeks with same code. Vehicle with fewer than 2,000 miles spent significant time at dealership for repairs.
When: Less than 2,000 miles; recurring within two weeks of PCM replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Recurring P0139 diagnostic code
Codes mentioned: P0139
Repairs/costs cited: Oxygen sensor replaced; PCM/ECM computer replaced; issue recurred despite repairs
Abnormal Engine Sounds and Jerking
Vehicle made abnormal sounds and jerked while being driven at 45 mph with no warning light illuminated. Vehicle towed to residence and not diagnosed or repaired.
When: 49,413 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Abnormal engine sounds; Vehicle jerking
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired
Piston and Complete Engine Failure
Piston failure leading to complete engine failure, diagnosed by service center. No mileage or timeline details provided.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete engine failure
Repairs/costs cited: Piston failure diagnosed; complete engine failure resulted
Gasoline Odor from Fuel System
Faint gasoline smell noticed at front of vehicle after shutdown, becoming stronger over several days. Smell present from air vents and outside vehicle. Possibly coincided with use of air conditioning. No fuel leaks visible and no check-engine light. Owner exercised caution and did not drive vehicle.
When: 20,450 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Gasoline smell at front of vehicle after shutdown; Gasoline odor from air vents; Smell intensified over time
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis completed; owner awaiting dealership appointment
Synthesized from 19 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
This 2020 jeep cherokee altitude burns close to 3 quarts of oil. I have 26000 miles on it. I havent received any recalls or notice from dodge/crysler dealer. This is ridiculous
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…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2020 Jeep Cherokee?
It's a meaningful issue. 19 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 3,000 and 49,413 miles, with the median around 16,800. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,000; a quarter make it past 49,413. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.