Dealer visit checklist
2020 Jeep Wrangler checklist
Print it or keep it on your phone. Tick each item as you go so nothing gets missed.
Inspect the car
- Check every panel gap and look for mismatched paint (signs of past accident repair)
- Look at the tires: even wear, matching brands, at least 4/32" tread
- Check under the car and engine bay for oil, coolant or other leaks
- Start the engine cold; listen for knocks, ticks or squeals and watch for smoke
- Test every window, lock, seat, light, the A/C, heat and infotainment
- Test drive on city streets and highway: straight braking, smooth shifts, no pulling
- Ask for the service records and a vehicle history report
- Have an independent mechanic do a pre-purchase inspection (about $100–$200)
Known 2020 Jeep Wrangler problems to check
- Death wobble — a well-documented front-end steering shimmy at highway speeds, often triggered by worn track bars, tie rods, or loose steering components
- Soft-top and hard-top seal leaks allowing water intrusion into the cabin, especially in older or poorly maintained examples
- 3.6L Pentastar engine oil consumption — some owners report burning a quart every 2,000-3,000 miles, worth monitoring at every oil change
- Infotainment glitches with the Uconnect system, including freezes and Bluetooth connectivity dropouts requiring software updates
- Freedom Panel (removable roof panel) storage and latching issues leading to wind noise or rattles at highway speeds
Ask: have these recalls been fixed?
- BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA: 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.
- SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Wrangler vehicles.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020 Jeep Wrangler vehicles equipped with the 2.0 Liter engine.
- POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions.
- POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY: Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Jeep Wrangler and 2020 Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions.
- BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Jeep Wrangler, RAM 1500 and 2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Jeep Wrangler, Ram 1500, and 2021-2022 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with 3.0L diesel engines.
- POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2023 Jeep Wrangler, and 2020-2023 Jeep Gladiator vehicles equipped with manual transmissions.
Negotiate the price
- Know the typical price: about $26,000 for this model year
- Negotiate the out-the-door price, not the monthly payment
- Get the full price with every fee listed in writing before you sign
- Bring your own loan pre-approval so the dealer has a rate to beat
- Say no to add-ons you didn't ask for (paint protection, VIN etching, nitrogen tires)
- Negotiate your trade-in separately, after the car's price is agreed
- Be ready to walk away; another listing is usually a click away