Jeep is recalling more than 320,000 plug-in hybrid SUVs across the United States due to a possible fire risk. The company is urging owners to stop charging the vehicles and to park them away from buildings or other cars until the issue is fixed. This recall affects certain model years of the popular Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.
The recall includes 2020 through 2025 Wrangler 4xe models and 2022 through 2026 Grand Cherokee 4xe models. According to Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, the fire risk exists even when the ignition is turned off. In a statement, the company said, “Out of an abundance of caution, the company is advising owners of these vehicles to park away from structures or other vehicles until the remedy is obtained.”
The company also noted that the risk is lower when the battery is fully drained, but they are still asking owners not to plug in the vehicles until repairs can be made. Stellantis said it launched an internal investigation after going through customer data and found 19 separate fire incidents linked to these vehicles.
This is not the first time this year that Jeep has had to recall its hybrid SUVs. Just two months ago, Stellantis recalled over 91,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe vehicles in the U.S. because of a software problem that could lead to a sudden loss of drive power. That recall was tied to a glitch in the hybrid control system, which allegedly caused the battery pack control module microprocessor to overload and reset. When that happened, the control unit could misread data, leading to a potential stall.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that only around 1% of the recalled vehicles in that case were likely to have the defect, which equals roughly 918 vehicles. Vehicles built outside the affected timeframe or those without the specific hybrid control processor were not included in that recall.
In addition to the latest recall of over 320,000 vehicles in the U.S., Jeep is also recalling about 20,700 vehicles in Canada, 2,600 in Mexico, and another 32,000 in other parts of the world. Stellantis told FOX Business that it expects to have a fix ready soon, and customers will be contacted to schedule repairs.
This latest announcement follows a string of challenges for the Jeep brand and Stellantis overall. Earlier this year, the company recalled over 63,000 Jeep Cherokees from model years 2017 through 2019. That recall was due to issues with the power transfer units, which could affect the vehicle’s ability to stay in gear.
Beyond the recalls, Jeep has also been dealing with shifting production needs. In November, Stellantis confirmed that more than 1,000 employees at its Jeep assembly plant in Ohio were being laid off indefinitely. The company said this decision was part of a strategy to better align production with current demand and to manage inventory levels.
The auto industry as a whole has been going through major changes, especially with the rise of electric and hybrid vehicles. While many manufacturers are pushing ahead with new technologies, there have been growing pains along the way. Battery issues, software problems, and powertrain defects have all become part of the learning curve for companies trying to keep up with evolving markets and emissions regulations.
For now, Jeep owners impacted by this recall are being asked to take extra precautions. Stellantis is expected to announce repair details and timelines in the coming weeks. Owners can also check the NHTSA website or contact their local dealership for the latest updates.
