Battery Fires Creating New Nightmare For EV Owners
Forget the slow burn of traffic — electric vehicles are catching fire amid a surge in recalls over models that can burst into flames even while parked.
Forget the slow burn of traffic — electric vehicles are catching fire amid a surge in recalls over models that can burst into flames even while parked.
Sarah Lammersen’s plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler caught fire while her daughter drove it, days after a recall of a partially electric car model, according to The Washington Post. Jeep alone recalled more than 200,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles in November 2025, over a risk that their batteries could catch fire while parked or driving.
“FCA US LLC confirms that a remedy for the recall of certain 2020-2025 Jeep® Wrangler 4xe and 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe SUVs is available to customers. The solution consists of a software update to the high-voltage battery pack control module that will improve diagnostic capability for early detection of internal battery separator damage,” a spokesperson forJeep parent companyStellantis told the Daily Caller News Foundation.
The 2025 Jeep recall is part of a growing problem involving vehicles that can pose a fire hazard even after drivers turn them off. An estimated 3.2 million vehicles currently have an outstanding “park outside” recall, according to vehicle history provider Carfax.
“Since the initial recall actions, the company’s engineers have continued to analyze field data and battery performance, leading to a deeper understanding of the factors involved,” the Stellantis spokesperson added. “That insight has guided development of a more comprehensive remedy designed to address the condition. While the earlier actions reflected the best information available at the time, this latest step reflects the company’s continued efforts to learn, adapt and provide effective solutions.”