Jeep Owners Urged to Park Outside Amidst Recall

Jeep Owners Urged to Park Outside Amidst Recall

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a stern warning to owners of 154,000 Jeep plug-in hybrid electric SUVs, advising them to park their vehicles outdoors, away from structures or other automobiles, until recall repairs are completed.

Recall Initiated After Fire Incidents

This directive stems from a recall announced by Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis, on Monday. The recall encompasses 194,000 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrids globally, including 154,000 in the United States. The move follows reports of 13 fires involving these vehicles. NHTSA has received two reports of injuries potentially linked to the recall issue.

Battery Failure Investigation

NHTSA has identified the potential cause of the fires as a high-voltage battery that may experience internal failure. Stellantis has confirmed that the battery packs in question were produced by Samsung SDI. Samsung SDI has communicated to Stellantis that the probable root cause is “separator damage combined with other complex interactions within the cell.”

Inadequate Previous Recall

This recall is an extension of a previous callback in 2023, which involved 32,000 Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrids for a software update. However, Stellantis has acknowledged that some vehicles that underwent that software update subsequently experienced fires in the summer of 2024. The company has determined that the previous recall remedy was “ineffective at detecting certain abnormalities” within the battery that could lead to fires.

Immediate Action Required

Stellantis’ recall plan includes a software reflash followed by a battery replacement if necessary. Owners will be notified in mid-October and should expect their vehicles to be repaired promptly. The company emphasizes that the risk of a fire is reduced when the battery charge level is low. Drivers are strongly advised to refrain from recharging their vehicles until repairs are completed.

Vehicle Details and Locations

The recall affects certain Jeep Wranglers manufactured between 2020 and 2024, as well as Jeep Grand Cherokees from 2022 to 2024. The Chrysler-parent company has indicated that the fires occurred when these vehicles were parked and turned off. Approximately 5% of affected vehicles are estimated to have the defect.

Global Recall

The recall extends beyond the United States, impacting 14,000 vehicles in Canada, 700 in Mexico, and nearly 26,000 in other regions outside North America. Owners of affected vehicles are urged to contact their local Jeep dealer to schedule a recall appointment as soon as possible. They should not hesitate to seek assistance if they experience any issues or concerns related to their vehicle’s battery or charging system.