Global automotive group Stellantis, owner of various car brands including Jeep, is recalling over 44,000 plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe SUVs worldwide due to concerns that their high-voltage battery packs may pose a fire risk.
The recall was initiated following a routine review of customer data, leading to an internal investigation that identified eight vehicle fires. Notably, all incidents occurred while the vehicles were parked and turned off, with six of them connected to chargers. The affected units are specific to certain 2021-2024 model-year Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles, comprising 32,125 in the United States, an estimated 3,856 in Canada, and 9,249 outside North America.
Stellantis advises affected vehicle owners to refrain from recharging these hybrid vehicles and to park them away from structures and other vehicles until the necessary remedies are applied. The fix primarily involves a software flash, but in cases where a specific error code is observed (details undisclosed), the entire battery pack will be replaced. Stellantis estimates that around one percent of the affected vehicles may exhibit the identified defect. Customers will be notified to schedule the required service procedure.
Launched in late 2020, the Jeep Wrangler 4xe features a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine in conjunction with a motor generator unit, providing a combined output of 375 horsepower.
The high-voltage battery has a capacity of 17 kilowatt-hours, offering an all-electric range of 21 miles on a full charge. Despite the recall, the Wrangler 4xe achieved significant sales success in the third quarter of this year, becoming the best-selling plug-in hybrid passenger car in the United States with 17,662 units sold.
