Stellantis has issued a warning to owners of the 2020-2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and the 2022-2024 Grand Cherokee 4xe, advising them to park their vehicles outside due to a risk of spontaneous combustion. The automotive manufacturer has recalled approximately 154,000 of these plug-in hybrids based on an internal investigation that revealed 13 incidents of vehicles catching fire. The specific cause of the fires has not yet been determined, but Stellantis estimates that around 5%, or about 10,000 vehicles, may have the defect.
The fires have reportedly occurred while the vehicles were parked and turned off, but there remains a risk of fire while driving. Stellantis advises owners to refrain from charging their vehicles, as elevated charge levels could potentially be contributing factors. It’s essential to note that the 4xe models don’t necessarily need to be plugged in; they can operate solely on their 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine.
However, this recommendation somewhat undermines the purpose of having a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe models rely on charging to achieve their respective electric-only ranges of 21 and 26 miles, whether at home or via public charging stations. While the battery does receive some charge during normal driving, it typically isn’t sufficient for full-electric operation in urban settings without utilizing the gasoline engine.
This situation is particularly significant due to the popularity of Jeep’s 4xe models, which are the leading plug-in hybrids in North America. A total of 118,230 Jeep Wrangler PHEVs and 35,802 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEVs are included in this recall. When critical issues arise in the most favored models of this segment, the repercussions can be extensive. American consumers, who remain uncertain about electrification, may be further discouraged by incidents like this.
Additionally, in 2023, Stellantis ceased selling gas-only Wranglers and Grand Cherokees at dealer locations in 14 states that follow California’s emissions rules. Instead, they focused on their electrified versions. Customers in these states wishing to acquire the traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) models had to place special orders or go out of state. Although the latest 2025 4xe models are not part of this recall, the recent developments imply that those available at dealerships over the past year may have experienced significant problems, forcing customers to take extra steps to avoid them.
Jeep has yet to announce a specific remedy for the unresolved issue, but it plans to inform affected customers by mail before October 17. Owners can reach out to Stellantis at 800-853-1403, and the relevant NHTSA recall numbers are 24V-720 and 24E-080.
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