This just came out – Stellantis, the company that owns Jeep, issued a recall and warning to owners of more than 32,000 hybrid Jeep Wrangler SUVs due to a potential fire risk when the vehicle is charging.
Affected are 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe SUVs. So far.
First and foremost: Stellantis is advising owners to park outside, away from buildings and not to charge the battery – or even plug it in.
As the SUVs are hybrids, Stellantis says owners may still drive the vehicles but, again, are not to charge them and should “keep them away from structures or buildings.” You would not be alone in noting that the advice is not only conflicting but hardly conducive to normal use and enjoyment of your vehicle.
More on the Defect
During a company review of “customer data” – no, we have no idea what that really means - Stellantis discovered that eight Jeep Wrangler SUVs caught fire while parked and turned off.
Six of the SUVs were charging when they caught fire.
Stellantis’ statement: “The vehicles may be driven. However, the company is advising owners to refrain from recharging these hybrid vehicles, and to park them away from structures and other vehicles, until they are remedied.”
The vehicle is the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4xe equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that works in conjunction with a motor generator unit integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission.
In the third quarter of 2023, the Wrangler 4xe was the top-selling plug-in hybrid passenger car in the United States, selling more than the combined sales of Toyota and Lexus PHEVs.
A Tough Year for Jeep
This is the second major recall issued from Jeep in just the last seven months. In March it announced a recall of more than 69,000 of its manual-transmission-equipped Wrangler SUVs and Gladiator pickup trucks over a clutch pressure plate that may overheat.
Affected vehicles were: 2018-23 Wranglers and 2020-23 Gladiators equipped with manual transmissions.
The problem: Friction could cause the clutch pressure plate to overheat and fracture, resulting in cracks or holes in the transmission case. Heated debris could then be released from the damaged transmission bellhousing causing a fire if it came in contact with an ignition source. There is a risk of injury both to vehicle occupants and those nearby.
What to Do If You Think You Have a Lemon
Document everything . . . and call Gayle Law Group PC—your lemon law experts for Californians, based out of LA.
You are the only one who can document what you are going through with your vehicle. You will not get help from the dealership or manufacturer. You must be proactive; ask the dealership for the documentation you are entitled to on every visit.
Get the repair order and invoice every time you take your vehicle in and pick it up. Even if they have not or cannot fix the problem ‘that day,’ ask for the invoice.
Never allow them to leave your ticket “open” while a part is being ordered. Get an invoice then and when the part comes in and the work is done. Remember, every visit counts as a ‘reasonable attempt.’ Again, it’s up to you to get and keep accurate documents.
Gayle Law Group, Your California Lemon Law Firm
We care about every one of our clients and work hard to get impressive results for them. We are as dependent on our vehicles as any Californian – we know how it feels to have a vehicle that won’t operate the way it should.
We pride ourselves on keeping our clients advised every step of the way. You will never be in the dark wondering what’s happening in your case. You’ll know every step of the way.
Our goal is to get you out of your lemon vehicle so you can get a safe and reliable one as quickly as possible. We know how important it is to you, how you are hamstrung without a reliable vehicle.
Contact
Based in Los Angeles and serving all of California, The Gayle Law Group has successfully represented numerous clients throughout the state over the years. Our experience spans across various vehicle-related cases, including those involving cars, electric and hybrid vehicles, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, RVs, and more. No matter where you reside in California, we are here to provide the necessary legal support.