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Seattle-based law firm Keller Rohrback is organizing Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe owners for a potential collective legal action. A motion-invoking post on the firm’s website alleges that Jeep deceived purchasers of these hybrid off-roaders by asserting that they can function solely on electric power, although Keller Rohrback asserts this is not consistently accurate. This issue purportedly stems from the vehicles’ Fuel and Oil Refresh Mode (FORM) which maintains the internal combustion engine continuously engaged in cold winter conditions.
The Drive has attempted to reach out to Jeep for a response without success. The law firm references complaints from owners who claim that their Jeeps struggle to achieve the manufacturer’s promised 21 to 25 miles of electric-only range “for several months during cold weather.” Consequently, they argue that the extra amount paid for these models was unnecessary, placing blame on Jeep for deceptive marketing.
Jeep
Hybrid models implement FORM cycles to ensure that gaskets and seals remain warm and expanded, preventing gasoline contamination in the oil. This process involves intermittently activating the internal combustion engine to reach optimal temperatures. While some mixing of gas and oil occurs naturally in internal combustion engines, the heat from regular use evaporates the negligible gas amounts. This may not always hold true for plug-in hybrids that can operate for prolonged periods without engaging the combustion engine. Some Jeep 4xe owners allege that their vehicles encounter the opposite issue.
A discussion on 4xe Forums from February 2022 delineates the reported problem along with a few potential remedies. Some owners have completely covered their front grille to trap heat whilst driving in winter; indeed, Mopar markets a specialized Wrangler cover. User 4xeveryday suggests the crucial factor is maintaining oil temperatures above 192 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 20 minutes, a feat seemingly unattainable for some in northern states without alterations.
The Wrangler 4xe dominated the plug-in hybrid market in the U.S. in 2022, accounting for almost a quarter of all Wrangler sales. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter engine, paired with a small battery and electric motor, delivers a combined output of 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque. While not the most fuel-efficient PHEV with an EPA-rated 20 mpg, people don’t typically choose Jeeps for their fuel economy.
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