Do not charge and preferably park only outside. The car manufacturer warns of a potential fire risk with its vehicles
Up to two hundred thousand Jeep vehicles might have a defective component that, in some cases, could cause a fire when the vehicle is parked or charging. Therefore, the company is recalling the vehicles and advises customers to park them only in outdoor spaces and to refrain from charging their vehicles.
The Jeep company, part of the Stellantis group, has issued an urgent warning to its customers worldwide to immediately stop charging their hybrid cars and to park them only outside. The reason is the potential fire risk identified in a specific plug-in hybrid SUV model. The measure concerns the Wrangler 4xe model from 2022 to 2024, which has been found to be at risk of catching fire and exploding.
The company is responding to several reports of vehicles catching fire while idle. According to data from official sources, including the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem is caused by a defective part in the high-voltage battery system of these vehicles. Specifically, a defect has been found in the batteries, which in certain cases can cause a short circuit and subsequent ignition. While Jeep notes that there are currently no known injuries or deaths resulting from this defect, the automaker recommends taking immediate safety measures.
The risk of ignition can occur both while the vehicle is charging and when it is parked — especially if it is parked in an enclosed space where the subsequent fire could cause significant damage. Therefore, Jeep strongly urges its customers to park their vehicles only outside, away from enclosed garages or other spaces that could be threatened by the spread of fire.
Jeep has responded to this situation quickly, and in addition to issuing the warning, it has limited the production of the mentioned models and started conducting detailed inspections. The automaker plans to initiate a mass recall of the vehicles for repair, during which the defective part will be replaced and the battery system will be checked. Owners of the affected vehicles should be informed as soon as possible so that they can take necessary steps to secure their cars.
This is another instance where electrical or hybrid vehicles have encountered problems with their battery systems. These incidents often raise concerns among customers, as they can cause serious damage not only to the vehicle itself but also to surrounding property and, in extreme cases, can pose a threat to human health. Additionally, at a time when electric and hybrid cars are on the rise as an ecological alternative to traditional combustion engine vehicles, such events present a problem for the entire automotive industry, which must ensure the safety and trust of customers.
According to the automaker, the issues could potentially affect up to 200,000 vehicles from the mentioned model years that use the plug-in hybrid drive. This drive allows for a combination of electric motors and a combustion engine to power the vehicle.
