Stellantis, the conglomerate in charge of Jeep, has announced an extensive recall of close to 200,000 plug-in hybrid SUVs. This comes as a result of a potential case of fire that has bothered several units of Jeep Wranglers 4xe and Jeep Grand Cherokees 4xe. In case you possess any of these cars, here is everything you need to know about the issue.
What Happened?
Here’s a breakdown of the issue Stellantis is facing with its hybrid Jeep models:
Recall Size: Stellantis has recalled about 194,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles.
- Fire Risk: The issue was discovered after 13 fires were reported. All fires occurred while the vehicles were parked and off.
- Affected Models: This recall affects: Jeep Wrangler 4xe models from 2020 to 2024. Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models from 2022 to 2024.
- Estimated Impact: Stellantis believes that about five percent of the recalled vehicles may have this fire defect.
Which Vehicles Are Affected?
If you own a Jeep plug-in hybrid, check if your model falls under these categories:
- Jeep Wrangler 4xe: Model years: 2020–2024.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe: Model years: 2022–2024.
This recall impacts the following regions:
United States: The largest number of vehicles, with 154,032 Jeep hybrids affected.
- Canada: Over 14,000 vehicles recalled.
- Mexico: 673 vehicles.
- Other regions: 25,502 vehicles outside of North America.
What Should You Do if You Own One of These Vehicles?
Stellantis has advised vehicle owners to follow a few simple steps to minimize the risk:
1. Do Not Recharge: Avoid recharging your hybrid until further notice. Stellantis has suggested that risk is reduced when the battery charge level is depleted. For now, running the vehicle on a lower charge can reduce the chance of a fire.
2. Park with Caution: Out of caution, avoid parking your vehicle near structures or other vehicles. This precaution is to prevent potential damage in case the vehicle catches fire when parked.
3. Wait for Notification: Stellantis has stated that a remedy is imminent, but the company hasn’t yet begun bringing vehicles in for repairs. They will notify owners when it’s safe to bring their Jeep in for servicing. For now, you are advised to wait for further instructions.
No Immediate Fix, So What Now?
Regrettably, Stellantis is yet to come up with any solution to this issue. Although the car manufacturer is confident that a remedy is on the way, no timeline has been given for repairs to commence. For the time being, however, it will be up to the Jeep drivers to deal with the issue by:
- Not recharging the vehicle.
- Parking away from other cars and buildings.
- Waiting for official communication from Stellantis regarding when to bring the vehicle in for servicing.
It’s frustrating if your hybrid is your main mode of transportation, but for safety reasons, it’s important to take these precautions seriously.
Fire Risk While Parked and Off
What is the most alarming related to this issue is that all 13 reported incidents of fire occurred when the vehicles were parked and switched off. For now, Stellantis has not expounded the cause of the fires but instead recommends adhering to the recommendations to avert any possible occurrence.
Final Thoughts
This is not the kind of news you want to hear if you own a Jeep plug-in hybrid, but safety must come first. While it’s inconvenient to have to stop recharging and find alternate parking options, these steps are critical until Stellantis can provide a fix.
Here’s a quick recap of what you need to know:
Nearly 200,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles recalled by Stellantis due to a potential fire risk.
- Affected models: Jeep Wrangler 4xe (2020–2024) and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (2022–2024).
- 13 fires reported, all occurring while the vehicles were parked and off.
- Stellantis advises you to stop recharging and park away from structures until a fix is available.
- No solution has been provided yet, but the company will notify you when it’s time to bring your vehicle in for servicing.
Stay safe and keep an eye out for any updates from Stellantis. Hopefully, a remedy will be available soon.
