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2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine Problems

29 owner-reported engine complaints from NHTSA data

29
Complaints
1
Recalls
1
Fires
Jan 2026Dec 2020
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Engine Recalls (1)

RECALLCampaign #23V411000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Ram 1500 and 2014-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee vehicles equipped with 3.0L Diesel engines. The crankshaft position sensor tone wheel may delaminate, causing the engine to lose its ability to synchronize the fuel injector pulses and cam shaft timing, possibly resulting in an engine stall.

Fix: Dealers will update the powertrain control module software to maintain vehicle propulsion, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 3, 2023. Some owner notification letters were mailed October 31, 2023. The remaining owner notification letters will be mailed at a future date, anticipated July 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 66A. This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-475.

Owner Complaints (29)

criticalENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Filed: Mar 2026

During a September 2025 service, your dealership found that your oil filter housing had failed internally but didn't inform you of the risk or offer to repair it. By February 2026, your engine failed completely and became inoperable, with the dealership estimating about $13,000 for engine replacement. You also noticed oil and coolant leaks during this period, which indicated ongoing mechanical problems. The repair will likely require a complete engine replacement or internal engine repair.

NHTSA #: 11722336
highENGINE
Filed: Jan 2026

You noticed oil under the right side of your vehicle while filling the washer fluid. The dealer found that the plastic oil canister housing cracked, which allowed oil to contaminate your antifreeze. The powertrain warranty won't cover the full repair cost. Fixing this will likely require replacing the oil canister housing and flushing the contaminated coolant system.

NHTSA #: 11713674
highENGINE
Filed: Jan 2026

Your 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee's engine misfires and runs rough at idle, with unusual valvetrain noise that suggests internal wear. Despite three repair attempts totaling $2,500, the problem persists and makes the vehicle feel unsafe and unreliable to drive. The issue may involve camshaft and rocker arm wear, and you're concerned about potential engine failure while driving.

NHTSA #: 11709770
highENGINE
Filed: Nov 2025

Your Jeep has developed an antifreeze leak from the engine head that wasn't initially diagnosed correctly—the dealer first thought it was the water pump gasket. This leak can cause your engine to overheat without warning, which could lead to engine failure while driving on the highway, creating a safety risk for you and others on the road. The dealer has confirmed this is a known issue affecting other 2020 Jeeps. Fixing this will require the dealer to replace the engine head gasket or reseal the engine head.

NHTSA #: 11696912
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2025

Beginning October 3, 2025, the buyer reported a Check Engine Light (CEL) issue. 10.3.25 - The sale dealership stated diagnosis of a fuel leak. 10.8.25 - The sale dealership identified a charcoal canister issue. 10.13.25 - The sale dealership is referring to Jeep dealership. 10.17.25 - The sale dealership confirmed light continues to persist. To date the vehicle has been returned to the sale dealership three times since October 3, 2025. A warranty invoice shows only maintenance order performed occurred on October 3, 2025, and confirmed with the warranty company. This has been a persistant issue based on dates of service with only one repair attempt by the dealership while they maintain possession of the vehicle. Please investigate this issue to determine course of action. within these 10 days.

NHTSA #: 11694196
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2025

I bought the vehicle Dec 29, 2024 and it had 79000 miles on it. I use it for work , that is driving to and from my job and to the bank and back for work. I would say that in March of 2025 I went to the bank and I got in to leave and put the vehicle into reverse and it would not go into reverse and a the engine light came on. I had to shut the vehicle off and wait 5 minutes and then try again to go into reverse. When I put it into reverse the r was flashing on the shifter and it said something about needing something to be serviced. So when I looked it up it said that was a sign the transmission was failing. I drove it a couple more times and it only happened 3 times total when it was unable to shift going forward. So I took it to a shop and was informed that the transmission was needing to be replaced. There is no reason the transmission should be going out of it. I live 5 miles from where I work and 15 miles from the bank. I dont abuse my vehicles so what is there an issue with the transmission.

NHTSA #: 11688086
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2025

P0303 code. Misfire in cylinder 3. Blown head gasket. 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Car is only five years old with 115000 miles. Dealer suggested a new engine. A $12,000.00 expense to the consumer. $20,000.00 still owed to bank. After much research, it’s clear as day that this is an engineering flaw. Thousands of Pentastar engines have this recurring failure.

NHTSA #: 11687470
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2025

Camshaft and lifter failure at 52,102 miles on Pentastar V6 Motor. This has been a known issue to this motor and no recalls. My vehicle is with the mechnic getting fixed. My vehicle was not drivable after diagnostics at my mechanic. I had potential for enfgine failure due to metal on metal camshaft. I was at risk of serious injury if I did not take my vehile in. There were no check engie lights to alert me of an issue. I noticed a slight ticking noise that was not normal. Could not be heard over the radio. Yes this problem has been reproduced at my independant service center. It has not been inspected to my knowledge by the manufacturer, police, insurance other than my mechanic. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symbols prior to my failure other than a noise I noticed when my radio was off that was not normal.

NHTSA #: 11678507
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2025

The transmission went out in October 2024 and was replaced in November 2024. Since then, the valve body has been replaced twice and probably needs to be replaced again. The car does not shift into/out of third gear properly or consistently which causes very delayed acceleration. This is a safety hazard when entering the roadway, especially merging onto the highway. Chrysler is aware of the valve body being “bad” yet continues to “replace” with bad parts.

NHTSA #: 11667267
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jun 2025

[XXX] Utility 4D Altitude 4WD 3.6L V6 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee My 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine check engine light came on at 115,000 miles with a P0305 code. The P0305 code for a 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine indicates a misfire in cylinder number five. The week prior I performed a coolant flush and fill with the proper Mopar coolant. A few days later the water pump weep hole started leaking. I replaced the water pump and changed the spark plugs. A few days after this was when the P0305 check engine light came on and I could feel the engine starting to stumble from the misfire. No indication of overheating, coolant temperature was normal between 180 F and 210 F. I kept checking the coolant level and noticed the level dropping after a few days. There was no indication of a coolant leak after replacing the water pump. No coolant in the oil, or oil in the coolant and no white cloud from the exhaust from the coolant leaking into the combustion chamber, typically caused by a blown head gasket, cracked head or block or warped head or block. I set an appointment at the Jeep service department, and they informed me the engine had to be replaced. They said they did a bore scope test and a leak down test to confirmed the coolant was leaking into the cylinder. There are hundreds if not thousands of reports from other owners of Jeep Grand Cherokee and other Jeep, Chrysler, Ram, Dodge owners reporting this same issue. The attached photos show no coolant mixing with the or oil mixing with the coolant, resulting in the coolant only leaking through the combustion chamber to the exhaust confirming the service departments findings. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA #: 11667318
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was a misfire coming from the engine while accelerating, decelerating, idling, and while parked. The check engine warning light was intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed that the right-side intake camshaft on all 6 lobes had ground away and needed to be replaced. Additionally, metal was found in the rod bearings in the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA #: 11660840
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: May 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the vehicle vibrated abnormally, and the contact noticed white smoke coming from the exhaust. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was coolant intrusion leaking into the engine, which caused engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.

NHTSA #: 11660367
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2025

While I was attempting to pass a vehicle on a two-lane highway, my engine started misfiring and I lost engine power and it almost caused a head-on accident. The engine had to be replaced because the camshaft was worn on bank 1 and after doing some research there seems to be a lot of issues with this engine and the rocker arms which wears the camshaft down. There was a lot of metal in my engine which caused them to have to replace it. I researched recalls and there is nothing but after speaking with the dealership they confirmed that there is a known issue with this engine.

NHTSA #: 11657231
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Mar 2025

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate and experienced a loss of automotive power. Additionally, the temperature gauge raised abnormally and was almost indicating that the engine was hot(H). The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact stated that the engine was previously replaced due to the same failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

NHTSA #: 11647001
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Jan 2025

My Jeep Cherokee has lost power twice. Once while idling at a red light and once while going 70 MPH on the Interstate. The gas pedal went to the floor without resistance and would not give any fuel to the engine. The lights were still on so I didn't lose power completely, but the engine was not responding. The recent recal 25V011000 sounds like what happened to my car, but the 2020 model is not included in the recall. I have taken it to the dealership, but they could not find anything wrong with it.

NHTSA #: 11638726
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2024

Car wouldn't shift into drive. Git car towed in was told possible cam shaft issues. Car has been back 3 more times for same issue finally Stellantis replaced cam shaft. Now same problems are occurring and Jeep wants me to pay to replace engine on a 4 year old car.

NHTSA #: 11629233
mediumENGINE
Filed: Jul 2024

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle started shaking abnormally and stalled. The RPM increased to high. The contact was able to pull over and restart the vehicle. Several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the water pump was leaking. The contact stated that the valves, cylinder, head gasket, gasket case cover, gasket head cover, oil intake manifold, and oil filter housing were replaced, but the failure recurred. The mechanic performed a pressure test. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the engine seized and failed to move. The vehicle failed to shift into gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the alternator ground wiring nut was corroded. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 50,273.

NHTSA #: 11600541
mediumENGINE
Filed: Sep 2023

Water pump has failed at 61, 573 miles. Jeep issued a warranty extension for water pumps in the 2013-2017 models. It appears they have not corrected the defects in their water pumps.

NHTSA #: 11545146
mediumENGINE
Filed: Apr 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the failure could not be duplicated, and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact then stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that on numerous occasions while attempting to start the vehicle, she heard a cranking sound under the hood before the engine turned over. The stated that the battery was faulty. The contact stated that the battery was replaced however, three weeks later the battery failed, and the vehicle was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the generator field control circuit was open and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 56,165.

NHTSA #: 11519039
mediumENGINE
Filed: Mar 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle momentarily lost power and would not accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the failure also occurred a second time while making a turn. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 26,500.

NHTSA #: 11512411
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Dec 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that on multiple occasions while driving 30 MPH and various other speeds, an audible warning sound was heard inside the vehicle and the temperature gauge indicated that engine was overheating. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 28,000.

NHTSA #: 11496284
mediumENGINE
Filed: Oct 2022

The vehicle when drive shuts engine off and tell you to shift to park. It has don’t it to me a few time and twice I almost got rear ended. I took it to the dealer and they say they can’t find anything wrong with it. To shut off the stop start system but it still does it when I stop start system is off. If you go online a lot of people are having the same issue Jeep just doesn’t want to acknowledge it. This is very dangerous because it does it at any speed stop and go or you could do 65 on the highway and it does it in jeep is aware of this because many people have complained about it and it’s going on death years. After some time, the system completely shut off and I was able to drive it without the stop start system. The message that came out was stop start system needs servicing, but the jeep dealer has no idea what that is. They have tested the battery and they said it’s OK. It Hass to do something on the transmission or something yeah true but this is going to be something if they don’t fix someone’s gonna get hurt and when they get a lawsuit that’s what you’re gonna do something for the negligence.

NHTSA #: 11490495
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2022

Vehicle stalls unexpectedly. Error is "shift to park". Driver shifts the vehicle into park. The car is then locked in park and the driver needs to restart the vehicle. The vehicle doesn't always restart. This has happened multiple times. After the first time, we took it back to the dealership where we bought the vehicle and they replaced the batteries. After the batteries were installed it happened again, took it to a Jeep dealership and they were not able to duplicate the issue so did not do anything. It happened again after that. This is extremely dangerous and can cause serious accidents since the vehicle is stalled in the middle of a road!

NHTSA #: 11478128
mediumENGINE
Filed: Feb 2022

Updating NHTSA ID Number 11382705, 10/22/20. Dealer diagnosed issue on 9/15/21 and it was caused by a defective battery. Battery was replaced and there has been no further issue. Please remove or supplement No. 11382705

NHTSA #: 11451556
mediumENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Filed: Jan 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. Several unknown warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and diagnosed with 45 error codes relating to the vehicle not being able to communicate with the blind spot and doors due to battery failure. The battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer. The contact was uncertain if the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with engine control module (ECM) or body control module (BCM) failure. The dealer informed the contact that the windshield seal was not installed correctly during manufacturing, which caused water to seep in and damage the engine control module (ECM) or body control module (BCM). The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered since it did not have an extended warranty. The failure mileage was 14,787.

NHTSA #: 11446926
mediumENGINE
FireFiled: Jul 2021

Jeep caught fire while parked. Origin of cause states right side of engine is fire origination

NHTSA #: 11425301
mediumENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Feb 2021

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON IT HAS TO DO WITH THE EMISSIONS CONTROL THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RUN PROPERLY. IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES GOING ON NUMBER 4 FOR THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT IT FALLS UNDER THE LEMON LAW BECAUSE THE EMISSIONS CONTROL SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE IN THAT VEHICLE. MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WITH OUR THREE MONTH OLD GRANDCHILD AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WOULD NOT MOVE AT ALL IN TRAFFIC ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH VEHICLES PASSING BY HER AT 45 TO 50 MILES AN HOUR.

NHTSA #: 11397080
mediumENGINE
Filed: Dec 2020

2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE OVERLAND. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE TROUBLE. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *JS

NHTSA #: 11382705
mediumENGINE
Filed: Aug 2020

I WAS AT A RED IGHT, ON A BUSY ROAD. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I WAS THE FIRST CAR STOPPED IN THE TURNING LANE. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN,AND AS I TURNED, THE CAR INTO THE LANE, IT ROLLED FOWARD FOR A SECOND WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THEN IT LEPT FORWARD, STALLED, THEN SAID ON THE DISPLAY THAT THE CAR NEEDED TO BE PUT IN PARK BEFORE STARTING THE ENGINE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION GOING ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC.

NHTSA #: 11349166

Other 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Issues