Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2020 Jeep RenegadeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 64 owner complaints for the 2020 Jeep Renegade. Most complaints involve engine (22) and electrical system (14). The EPA rates it 24–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
24–27mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jul 2024
Owner complaints
64
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.

Air bagsReported Jul 3, 2024NHTSA 24V510000

Back over prevention: camera

Over-the-air fixFree remedy

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 Jeep Renegade and 2019 Dodge Challenger vehicles equipped with 8.4" or 12" radio displays. A software error can cause the rearview camera image to remain displayed after the vehicle has been shifted out of reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rearview Mirrors."

Back over preventionReported Sep 10, 2020NHTSA 20V191000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Renegade and Fiat 500X vehicles. The right rear brake caliper could have been fractured during the casting process.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Dec 19, 2019NHTSA 19V909000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

64 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2020 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine22
  2. Electrical system14
  3. Power train8
  4. Fuel/propulsion system6
  5. Seat belts6
  6. Air bags5
  7. Vehicle speed control5
  8. Wheels2
  9. Tires2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Renegade model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2015512
2016431
2017566
2018444
201980
202064
202167
202228
202321
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine

22 reports1 crash
“-Timing Chain. Yes it is available for inspection. The jeep Renegade with the issue is a 2020 (in serv, in August 2020) -While driving the Timing Chain broke and we lost all engine power and power steering, barely making it to the shoulder of the road without causing an accident. I have meticulously cared for this car through oil changes, transmissions flushes, and general upkeep. A Timing Chain is supposed to last the lifetime of a vehicle. Not 50,000 miles. Instant loss of engine power and power steering could have cost us our lives while driving at 70 mph or someone else's by causing an accident. - Vehicle is sitting with Jeep dealership now. -warning light came on briefly before the catastrophic failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 21, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11772689

Electrical system

14 reports1 crash
“Infotainment system is highly defective even after replacement. The screen goes black, shows white lines and you're left unable to use your backup camera! After doing research this problem stems all the way back to 2016 renegades with the same system.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 28, 2026Electrical systemCrash reportedODI 11727696

Power train

8 reports
“Go to step on gas to accelerate my jeep it will limp backwards on speed then all of a sudden take off like a rocket, jerking everybody in the car like g force, jerking head & necks, also driving down the road car has several times shut completely off, having me to pull vehicle over to side of road, & restarting the car.I I’ve had radio system shut completely off by itself for no reason. I have had the vehicle in to shop several times, they put on computer system, to recheck and redo computer, they call me to pick it up next day & still jerking like g- force hesitating & taking off like a rocket, took it back three times they said they put power steering fluid in it, well guess what not fixed. I have less than 30k miles on vehicle, & this has been going on since under 11k miles. Now when you stop and put vehicle in park the vehicle jumps forward & backwards, like you slammed your brakes on, several times my car has almost hit my garage door or in a parking garage the wall, or a parked car, the steering is very loose, & touchy, also noise like clunking in the wheel well, my friend said sounds like the springs. the tie rods & wheel bearings have been checked and…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2024Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11601115
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.3L 4-cyl turbo · 2.4L 4-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic 9-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Renegade 2WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
243227$2,300328
Renegade 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
232926$2,400348
Renegade 2WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Front-Wheel Drive
223025$2,500357
Renegade 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
212924$2,600371
Renegade Trailhawk 4WD
Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
222724$2,600370
  • Renegade 2WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo
    24 city · 32 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • Renegade 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo
    23 city · 29 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • Renegade 2WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    22 city · 30 hwy · $2,500/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • Renegade 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    21 city · 29 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Renegade Trailhawk 4WD
    Auto 9-spd, 4 cyl, 1.3 L, Turbo
    22 city · 27 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Jeep Renegade SUV AWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
22.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Jeep Renegade SUV FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
4 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 14276Vehicle 14248
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2020 Renegade questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Jeep Renegade have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2020 Jeep Renegade problems?

Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (22), electrical system (14), power train (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Jeep Renegade get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Jeep Renegade at 24–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Jeep Renegade?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Jeep Renegade 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026