Stellantis Recalls Over 375,000 Jeep Hybrid SUVs for Fire Risk

5 hours ago7 min read3 comments

Stellantis has issued a critical recall for more than 375,000 of its Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid SUVs, a sweeping action triggered by an unresolved fire risk that persists whether the vehicles are in motion or parked. This marks the second major recall for these specific models in under a year, following a similar safety campaign in October 2024, underscoring a profound and ongoing failure to contain a hazardous flaw originating from their high-voltage battery packs supplied by Samsung SDI.The automaker's internal investigation has confirmed at least 19 fire incidents linked to this defect, a number that compelled regulatory action across North America and beyond, with 320,000 vehicles recalled in the United States, 20,753 in Canada, 2,653 in Mexico, and a further 32,238 in international markets. The grim reality for owners is that Stellantis has conceded software updates are an inadequate remedy for this physical battery fault, leaving the company scrambling to develop a permanent fix while issuing stark interim instructions: park these SUVs outdoors, away from any structures, and under no circumstances plug them in to charge.This effectively transforms these sophisticated, off-road-capable machines into inert, multi-ton liabilities, a temporary fleet of very expensive and potentially dangerous lawn ornaments. The situation evokes troubling parallels with other large-scale automotive fire recalls, such as General Motors' protracted battery issues with the Chevrolet Bolt, which cost the company nearly $2 billion and severely damaged consumer trust in its electric vehicle program.For Stellantis, this repeat recall represents a significant reputational and financial blow, coming at a time when the auto giant is aggressively trying to position its Jeep brand—a quintessentially American icon—at the forefront of the electrified future. The 4xe models have been central to this strategy, marketed as rugged, eco-conscious vehicles that retain their legendary capability.This recurring safety crisis directly undermines that narrative and raises urgent questions about the rigor of the company's battery validation processes and its supply chain oversight with Samsung SDI. Industry analysts are now watching closely, noting that the cost of replacing thousands of high-voltage battery packs could run into hundreds of millions of dollars, not including the inevitable costs of potential litigation, regulatory fines, and customer compensation programs.The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is almost certainly monitoring the situation with heightened scrutiny, and a formal investigation could follow if the remedy is delayed or proves insufficient. For the consumers left holding the keys, the directive is one of extreme caution, a frustrating imposition that strips their vehicles of core functionality and injects a constant low-level anxiety about a potential thermal event. Until Stellantis engineers and their suppliers can diagnose the root cause with absolute precision and implement a definitive, physical repair, these Jeep hybrids remain grounded, a stark reminder of the complex and sometimes perilous challenges inherent in the industry's rapid pivot to electrification.

#recall

#Stellantis

#Jeep

#hybrid SUVs

#fire risk

#battery issue

#safety

#featured

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