26 complaints reported

2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
26
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Aug 2026

This complaint concerns a serious ongoing engine defect in my 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with the 3.6L Pentastar engine. The vehicle experiences ongoing misfire, rough idle, loss of smooth engine operation, and valvetrain noise. The Jeep runs very poorly and feels unreliable and unsafe to drive. The problem appears to be consistent with camshaft and rocker wear described in Stellantis Technical Service Bulletin 09-011-25. The vehicle has been repaired three times at: NJV Auto Center Inc. 27 Orange Turnpike Sloatsburg, NY 10974 Despite being $2,500 out of pocket, the issue has NOT been resolved. This appears to be a widespread manufacturer defect affecting Pentastar engines. Loss of proper engine function while driving is a safety concern and creates risk of breakdown or loss of power. I am requesting NHTSA investigate.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2025
Jan 2026

On sat 01/24/26 I was filling my washer fluid and I looked down and saw oil on the bottom on right side. I left it parked until I took it 2 miles to dealer told them what I saw and they looked at it and the plastic oil canister housing broke and got oil in my antifreeze. They told me powertrain warranty would not cover the whole fix. I have seeing alot of people have had same problem I think jeep needs to get a recall out for that since it has been a problem. This is not right it should be all covered now I won't have all the money after they get it fixed to.pay. have never had any problem jeep ran good never over heated oil pressure always at 31 to 32 pressure. Never new I had a problem until I looked under hood to fill washer fluid. Something needs to be done about this asap. It all because jeep don't wanna have to fix all the ones like this. I didnot get any photos was so upset I saw oil never even thought about getting pictures. They need to get a recall on this asap thank you very much. It is at the dealership kunes country in Platteville wisconsin 53818 Thank you

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2026
Dec 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Dec 2025
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2025
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Dec 1969
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2025
Jul 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Oct 2024
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jun 2025
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)

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: May 2025
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Feb 2025
May 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Apr 2025
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2025
Jan 2025

I brought my jeep in for a concern about an antifreeze leak on 1/3/25. I had 130,112 miles on my vehicle and was my warranty expired at 125,000 miles. They thought it was a water pump gasket at the time. I took my jeep back on 10/30/2025 and they confirmed a head leak, that wasn't checked last time. This is a safety issue since it has been confimed that other jeeps within same year have the same issue. If I am driving on the interstate and this issue got worse, then it will be a safety issue for everyone driving around me and me and my passengers in the vehicle as well. It has been inspected by Murray Dodge and Jeep. I have not gotten any warning lamps, messages or symptoms prior to failure. First appeared before 1/3/25. I was 5,000 over my mileage- since I was a traveling RN at the time.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2025
Sep 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2023
Jun 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Nov 2024
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Sep 2023
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Apr 2023
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2023
Nov 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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Sep 2021
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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Oct 2022
Oct 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Dec 2021
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!

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Mar 2022
Jun 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.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2022
Jul 2021 Fire

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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Jan 2021
Oct 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

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2020 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE, Manufacturer: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Incident: Oct 2020

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Quick Summary

The 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee has 26 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.