The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is a reliable SUV with solid crash test ratings from both the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the National Traffic Highway Safety Administration. But be on the lookout for fidgety rearview cameras and get that fuel pump recall taken care of.
- The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee has just two recalls and 60 complaints on file with the NHTSA, with zero investigations.
- A recall was issued in 2022 for faulty high pressure fuel pumps.
- The rearview camera may remain on display when shifting out of reverse.
- A handful of braking issues have been reported in very low numbers.
- The 2020 Grand Cherokee has a remarkably clean record after two years on the road, but keep an eye on the NHTSA page to see if anything develops in the next few years.
The 2020 Grand Cherokee’s Most Concerning Recall Was for a Faulty High Pressure Fuel Pump
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee was included in a 2022 recall concerning the high pressure fuel pump. The recall extended to a number of 2014-2020 models, along with a number of Ram pickups. Specifically, the recall covered Dodge and Jeep vehicles with 3.0L diesel engines under the hood.
The high pressure fuel pump is the one that distributes fuel into the combustion system, whereas the low pressure pump moves fuel from the tank to the engine. Many of the symptoms are about the same either way. You’re going to get stalling, sputtering, and loss of locomotive power.
There is also a long-term worry of debris in the engine. You want the fuel system to keep everything flowing smoothly so you don’t get any dirt and grime buildup. This is the same reason you don’t want to drive on fumes. Even if you’ve got just enough fuel to make it home, debris in a dry engine is going to do long-term harm.
Drivers have reported rough shifting and engine stall, but only one complaint has been reported since the recall went into effect. So the problem seems to have been handled, but check the VIN of any Grand Cherokee you’re thinking of buying. If the previous owner left this repair unchecked, the damage may already be done.
Rearview Camera May Stay on Display When Shifting Out of Reverse
The 2019 and 2020 Grand Cherokee were included among nearly a dozen Jeep and Dodge vehicles with rearview camera problems. Specifically, they identified a software problem that would leave the rearview camera image displayed even after drivers shifted out of reverse.
Affected vehicles were equipped with 8.4 inch and 12 inch radio displays, the recall was issued in April of 2020, and the fix went into effect that same month. This was, thankfully, a pretty simple repair, requiring no more than a software update in affected vehicles.
This means you don’t have to worry about parts shortages or anything like that, and you don’t have to worry about long term damages. If you buy a 2020 Grand Cherokee and discover that the previous owner neglected the software update, you only need to stop into the nearest dealership for the fix.
Rearview camera failures are sometimes associated with a whole assortment of electrical issues, but so far there are only 19 electrical complaints on file, and many of these are for the rearview camera. It may be that the vehicle is still pretty fresh, and more issues will develop over time, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Various Braking Issues Have Been Reported, But in Very Low Numbers
There are six braking complaints on file with the NHTSA, and while that may not be a lot, the issues being reported are pretty severe. Most recently, an incident reported in early 2021 saw the driver pressing their brake pedal and getting no response, resulting in the vehicle being total.
Another complaint reports the brakes engaging on their own for no reason, and a third states that the vehicle gets stuck in cruise control mode and won’t disengage. All three of these issues are, though uncommon, deeply concerning.
The catch 22 when it comes to rare problems: with only a few reports of failing brakes on file, the NHTSA is unlikely to take action anytime soon. Further, with so little data available, it’s impossible to tell if this is a manufacturing issue or a handful of flukes.
All you can really do as a used Jeep buyer is to make sure you run a comprehensive test drive. Check the brakes at low speeds and high speeds, so how the cruise control feels, and make sure that everything is working like it’s supposed to work.
The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee is Remarkably Problem-Free, but it May be Too Soon to Call it
As of the time of this writing, the 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee has only been on the road a couple years. But even so, two recalls and just 60 complaints over two years is a pretty clean record, especially for Jeeps, which are known to be fairly high-maintenance.
Give it another year or two and it may turn out that there are a lot more electrical issues to worry about than a fidgety rearview camera. It may be that the transmission is a ticking timebomb just waiting to go. But, for the time being, there’s not much to worry about behind the wheel of a 2020 Grand Cherokee.
