Stellantis is pulling hundreds of thousands of Jeep plug-in hybrid SUVs off the road after reports of batteries catching fire raised serious safety concerns. The automaker announced it is recalling 375,000 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe vehicles worldwide, with about 320,000 of those in the United States, after 19 fire incidents and one injury were linked to battery failures.

The recall affects 2020 through 2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models and 2022 through 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe SUVs. What makes this situation particularly troubling is that nine of the fires occurred in vehicles that had already received a software fix from a 2024 recall addressing the same issue.

Stellantis is telling owners to park their vehicles outdoors and stop charging them until a proper fix becomes available. The batteries involved were manufactured by Samsung SDI, and investigations point to separator damage combined with other complex interactions within the battery cells as the likely culprit behind the fires.

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Details of the Jeep Recall

Stellantis is dealing with multiple recall campaigns affecting Jeep plug-in hybrid models, with issues ranging from battery fires to engine problems that can lead to complete vehicle failure. The recalls involve both the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe from recent model years.

Which Jeep Models Are Affected

The recalls impact nearly 113,000 Jeep vehicles in the United States due to engine-related defects. Specifically, the recall covers 76,019 Wrangler 4xe models and 36,840 Grand Cherokee 4xe vehicles from the 2024 and 2025 model years.

These aren’t the only Jeeps under recall, though. Stellantis also announced a separate campaign affecting 375,000 Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrids worldwide over battery fire risks. That particular issue involves vehicles equipped with Samsung SDI batteries.

The engine defect recall specifically covers vehicles produced over nearly two years, from June 2023 through March 2025. This extended production timeline means a significant portion of the plug-in hybrid Jeep lineup is affected.

Main Causes of the Recall

The engine recall stems from sand contamination during the block casting process. This manufacturing defect left debris inside the engines of affected vehicles, which can lead to catastrophic engine failure.

Production of Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrids with contaminated engines began on July 19, 2023, and continued until March 3, 2025. The Wrangler 4xe saw an even longer production span with the defect, running from June 7, 2023, to March 4, 2025.

The fact that Stellantis manufactured engines with this problem for nearly two years raises questions about quality control during the production process. As of late October, the company was aware of 144 warranty claims and 50 field reports related to loss of propulsion connected to this issue.

Types of Risks and Incidents Associated With the Recall

The sand contamination can cause catastrophic engine failure, which presents two major dangers: fires in the engine bay or unexpected loss of propulsion. The only warning signs drivers might notice are a knocking noise from the engine compartment or a warning lamp on the instrument cluster.

By October 20, Stellantis had documented 36 fires linked to the engine defect across all markets. The company also recorded 50 instances of loss of propulsion, 36 customer assistance records, and three injuries attributed to the problem. No accidents have been reported so far.

Stellantis has warned owners to avoid driving their vehicles and park them outside while a fix is being developed. The company plans to notify affected owners by mail on December 29, though a remedy is still under development.

What Jeep Owners Need to Know and Next Steps

Affected owners face specific instructions about battery charging and parking while Stellantis works to notify customers and deploy a fix for the Samsung SDI battery issue.

Warning Signs and How to Identify the Problem

The battery defect has caused fires with no warning signs, according to the recall notice. Samsung SDI-supplied battery packs may contain cells with separator damage that can lead to vehicle fires through complex interactions within the battery system.

Stellantis discovered the issue through a review of customer assistance records that led to an internal investigation. The company identified 19 fires and one injury linked to the defect. Owners shouldn’t expect a malfunction indicator lamp or other dashboard alert to warn them of the problem before a fire starts.

The recall affects 228,221 Jeep Wrangler 4xe PHEVs from model years 2020-2025 and 91,844 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models from 2022-2026. This marks the third recall for these vehicles, and vehicles repaired under prior recalls will need additional fixes.

How Stellantis Is Handling Repairs and Notifications

Stellantis announced that a remedy is imminent and affected customers will be notified when they can schedule service. The company stated it will contact owners directly through recall notices with specific instructions for obtaining repairs.

Customers with questions can call customer care at 1-800-853-1403 or visit recalls.mopar.com for information. The automaker hasn’t specified whether warranty claims will cover any fire-related damage that occurred before the recall announcement. FCA US LLC issued the recall covering 320,065 vehicles in the U.S. market, with additional vehicles affected in Canada, Mexico, and other international markets bringing the total to approximately 375,000 units worldwide.

Safety Recommendations for Affected Owners

Stellantis issued urgent guidance for PHEV owners affected by the recall. Owners should refrain from recharging their vehicles because the risk is reduced when the battery charge level is depleted.

Out of an abundance of caution, the company advised owners to park away from structures or other vehicles until they obtain the remedy. This precaution applies even to vehicles parked at home overnight or during work hours. Owners should continue following these safety measures until they receive notification that their specific vehicle has been repaired under the new recall campaign.

The company urged owners to follow the instructions on their recall notices carefully once received.

 

 

 

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