What 258 owners told NHTSA about the 2020 Jeep Cherokee

Upon driving at approx 20mph in traffic on the highway, there was a sudden loss of power in acceleration. Smoke was seen around the vehicle. Multiple lights flashed on the dashboard and then quickly went blank. As I was pulling to the side of the road I noticed flames coming from the front right side of the vehicle. The brakes no longer worked. I got out of the vehicle as smoke was seeping into the cabin. I was able to retrieve my phone and bag. Approx. 30 seconds after exiting the vehicle and moving away there was a small explosion. Over the course of the next few minutes there were multiple other explosions. Emergency services were called immediately. The vehicle burnt to the ground completely.

NHTSA ODI 11611494

The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the four-wheel drive overheated warning light illuminated. The contact reduced the speed, and the vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road. The contact stated that a nearby driver pulled over and informed the contact that the vehicle was on fire. The nearby driver also assisted the contact out of the vehicle. The contact stated that there were several explosions. The contact stated that the vehicle was burned to the ground. The fire department and the local police arrived on the scene. There were no injuries sustained. A Fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was condemned to total loss. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. In addition, the case is currently under investigation. The failure mileage was approximately 26, 900.

NHTSA ODI 11595553

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 shop. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 16,800.

NHTSA ODI 11442222

The contact owned a 2020 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated that while his nephew was driving approximately 70 mph, a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle. The driver then noticed flames coming from the engine compartment. The driver stopped the vehicle and exited. No further information was available. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away from the scene. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and an unknown dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 13,000.

NHTSA ODI 11425084

TL* THE CONTACT LEASES A 2020 JEEP CHEROKEE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, AN UNKNOWN BURNING ODOR OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE ALERTED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT QUICKLY COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND AS SHE EXIT THE VEHICLE THE HOOD EXPLODED ENGULFED INTO FLAMES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNED DOWN TO A CRIST. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE OF WHAT HAD LEFT OF THE VEHICLE. A FIRE AND POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW LOT AND WAS LATER TAKEN BY THE VEHICLE INSURANCE TO AN INSURANCE AUTO AUCTION LOT WHERE IT STILL REMAINED. THE CONTACT CALLED KELLY JEEP CHRYSLER, 353 BROADWAY, LYNNFIELD, MA 01940, AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 3,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11390488