QUIET FIRE 

Jeep urges 194,000 plug-in hybrid SUV owners to stop charging and park outdoors due to fire risk

Associated Press
Mon, September 30, 2024 

A Jeep logo is displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Jan. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)

DETROIT (AP) — Jeep is recalling more than 194,000 plug-in hybrid SUVs worldwide because they can catch fire with the ignition turned off.

In addition, Jeep is urging owners not to charge the SUVs and to park them outdoors and away from structures until they are repaired.

The recall covers the Wrangler four by e from the 2020 through 2024 model years, as well as the Grand Cherokee four by e from 2022 through 2024. Most of the recalled SUVs are in North America.


Stellantis, which makes Jeeps, said a remedy is near and affected customers will be notified when they can schedule service. The company says the risk of fire is reduced when the battery charge is depleted.

A routine review of customer data led to an investigation that found 13 fires with two injuries. Stellantis estimates that 5% of the SUVs have the problem.

Owners with questions should contact Jeep Customer Care at (800) 853-1403 or visit www.mopar.com.

Nearly 200K Jeep PHEVs Being Recalled Due to Battery Fire Risk

Emmet White
Tue, October 1, 2024

194K Jeep PHEVs Recalled Over Fire RiskALDO_FERRERO


Stellantis has been having a bit of a rough year in 2024 — and it doesn't look like it's getting better just yet. On Monday, the automaker announced that nearly 200000 plug-in hybrid Jeeps are being recalled due to a risk that the batteries could catch fire.


More specifically, 2020–2024 model year examples of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe and 2022–2024 model year versions of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe subject to the recall. Models produced after November 16, 2023 are not affected, however.


The automotive conglomerate confirmed that 154032 U.S.-market vehicles are covered by the recall. Other markets affected include 14308 Jeeps in Canada, 673 in Mexico, and an additional 25502 4xes outside North America. Stellantis estimates that around five percent of the recalled models may be affected; the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, however, says it believes only one percent of U.S.-market models suffer from the problem.


Jeep

The potential problem: a combusting lithium-ion battery, to which at least 13 fires have been attributed. NHTSA filings explain that the issue stems from cells that are susceptible to separator damage. Stellantis has yet to find an official remedy, but the company says that a solution is imminent, and that owners should refrain from charging their vehicles in the meantime, because the risk of fire is significantly reduced when the battery is depleted. Owners are encouraged to park their 4xe models away from structures and other vehicles for now, too.

"Affected customers will be notified when they may schedule service," a release from Stellantis said. Affected owners can contact call customer care at 1-800-853-1403 or visit mopar.com/recalls for more information.

This recall comes on the backs of a federal probe into mysterious fires that are plaguing certain Wranglers and Gladiators. Initial reports suggest that the fires are stemming from a shorting power steering pump connector. Hundreds of thousands of BMWs were also recalled recently over fire risks stemming from a shorting water pump connector.