JeepCherokee2020Overview/jeep/cherokee/2020/base/

2020 Jeep Cherokee

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 Cherokee.

The 2020 Jeep Cherokee carries 259 owner complaints with power train as the top complaint area and three recalls on record, placing it in a moderate position within the model's reliability history spanning 1990 through 2026. That complaint count represents a dramatic improvement over the 2014 model year, which peaked at 2,636 complaints, yet it remains well above the three complaints logged by the 2023 model year — the lowest in the entire history. For researchers, the 2020 sits in a transitional middle ground: past the worst of the Cherokee's reliability troubles but not yet reflecting the sharp quality gains that emerged later in the model's run.

Model year202620232022202120201991199019891988

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque100 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 700 CCA battery, OE oil filter 04892339BE. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size225/60R17 99TOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter04892339BE alt 68191349AC
Engine air filter68245310AA alt 68320315AB
Spark plugSP149125AF alt SP148183AD
BatteryBBH7A001AA
Front wiper blades68197139AA alt 68197138AC
Serpentine belt04627166AC alt 04627534AA
Thermostat04893377AA alt 05047264AB
Cabin air filter68535624AA

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length181.5 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height66.5 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3662 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Cherokee of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.6–9.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.60 sec — 2019 Latitude Plus
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2019Latitude Plus 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.20 sec270 hp4x4
2019Latitude 2.0L Turbo I-46.70 sec15.20 sec270 hp4x4
2019Overland V6 3.2L V67.20 sec15.50 sec271 hp4x4
2019Limited 2.0L Turbo I-47.50 sec15.80 sec270 hp4x4
2019Trailhawk 2.0L Turbo I-47.60 sec16.00 sec270 hp4x4
2019Trailhawk V6 3.2L V68.30 sec16.40 sec271 hp4x4
2021Trailhawk V6 3.2L V67.60 sec15.80 sec271 hp4x4
2017Overland V6 3.2L V67.50 sec15.80 sec271 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts81.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsUse new fasteners only. 70.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs80.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs106.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity4.60 oz
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance11.4-12.6 @ 68 degreesF ohms

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque32.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 129.0 ft-lbs; Rear: 89.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.024; Rear: .409
Maximum Rotor RunoutMeasure on vehicle. .0008

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 89.0 inch lbs.44 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100°15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 92°15 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°15 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 68°37 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
130.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 105°30 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 12.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 26.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 158-162° do not use a torque wrench.7 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 125° do not use a torque wrench for this step., Step 5: In reverse order loosen all fasteners., Step 6: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 7: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: 33.0 ft. lbs., Step 9: 130° do not use a torque wrench for this step.22 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
121.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 51°21 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1M10 Bolts10 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts "B" or "6" stamped11 ft. lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°11 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect)
Every 20,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Parking Brake System (inspect) · Sunroof Assembly (lubricate) · Suspension System (inspect) · Tie Rod (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miPCV Valve (inspect)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Belt Tensioner (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Owner how-tos

Condensed service procedures for routine maintenance. Procedures that require dealer diagnostic equipment are identified and summarized only.

Common procedures

Key fob — remote (RKE) programming programming new fob buttons Dealer tool OEM · verified
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool (dealer / locksmith)
WhyTransmitter codes are written into the receiver in the passenger door module
Anti-theft (SKIS) — module initialization after immobilizer module replacement Dealer tool OEM · verified
When neededAfter Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM) replacement
Tool requiredDRBIII scan tool
Also requiredThe vehicle's four-digit PIN code

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The current Jeep Cherokee generation experienced severe early lifecycle issues—peaking at 2,636 complaints in 2014 and spiking again to 1,589 in 2019—before the 2020 model year marks a dramatic shift in the federal record. For 2020, complaints plummeted to just 260, recalls dropped from 11 the prior year to only 3, and federal investigations fell to zero, placing this model at the start of a sustained downward trend in reported defects. While powertrain concerns dominate the 2020 ledger with 104 reports, followed distantly by "Unknown or Other" (16), Engine (15), and Steering (14), the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. The 2020 model also logged just 9 crash and 5 fire complaints, reflecting a much safer and more stable vehicle than the generation's worst years. Positioned firmly on the downward slope of this generation's complaint arc, the 2020 Cherokee is a good year to buy used, provided you prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection of the powertrain.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
388
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
259
Owner complaints
9 involved a crash · 5 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 259 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train104
Unknown Or Other16
Engine15
Steering14
Power Train,Engine8
Power Train,Electrical System6
Air Bags6
Service Brakes6

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V191000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 10/09/2020

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Cherokee, 2019-2020 Ram 1500 Pickup, Ram 2500 Pickup, Ram 3500 Pickup, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and… Remedy: Chrysler has notified owners, and dealers will update the radio display software, free of charge. Optionally, owners can choose to remotely update their software via an…

19V637000Steering:Rack And Pinion:RackReported 29/08/2019

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Jeep Cherokee vehicles. The steering rack gear may break, possibly causing a loss of steering control. Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. The recall began October 24, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 388 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
S2208000045 REV.D2026-06-26StructureBackup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection
S2523000003 REV.A2026-04-22StructureDoor Latch, Handle And Ajar Additional Service Information.
08-075-26 REV. A2026-04-15Electrical SystemRear Taillamp Condensation Clearing Procedure On occasion, vehicle exterior taillamp…
18-044-262026-03-21EngineFlash: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Updates Customers must experience a Malfunction…
S2208000045 REV.C2026-03-18Unknown Or OtherBackup Camera Poor Image Quality Inspection

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cherokee. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 Cherokee have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.