Chrysler Announces Recall Affecting Over 154,000 Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Chrysler Owners Alert!

Chrysler has announced a recall affecting more than 154,000 vehicles, including the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) from the 2020-2024 and 2022-2024 model years, respectively.

In addition to the U.S. market, the recall includes:

1. 14,038 vehicles in Canada.
2. 673 vehicles in Mexico.
3. 25,503 vehicles in other international markets.

The recall affects 118,230 Jeep Wrangler PHEVs and 35,802 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEVs.

Reason Behind the Recall

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) stated that the battery packs in these models may contain cells susceptible to damage. The primary issue stems from a faulty high-voltage battery pack, which can damage the internal separator, leading to overheating and potentially causing a fire.

Chrysler became aware of the issue during an internal investigation, which revealed that some parked vehicles of these models had caught fire due to battery failure. Additionally, two injuries have been reported in connection with this issue.

Instructions from NHTSA and Chrysler

The NHTSA has issued the following instructions for owners of the affected 2020-2024 Jeep Wrangler PHEVs:

1. Park the vehicle away from buildings and other vehicles to ensure safety.
2. Do not charge unrepaired vehicles, as this increases the risk of fire.
3. The risk of fire is reduced when the vehicle’s battery is depleted.

Insights into the Issue

Stellantis subsidiary FCA US first learned about the issue in 2023. On May 12, 2023, the company’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance Organization launched an investigation after receiving reports of two fires involving the Jeep Wrangler PHEV.

The company issued a notice to buy back affected vehicles for further analysis. During this process, FCA US received five additional reports of fires in the Wrangler hybrid model due to battery issues. Although the company implemented software updates to address the problem, more complaints emerged in early 2024.

In June 2024, an internal investigation was conducted in collaboration with supplier Samsung SDI. The final report identified the root cause as a faulty battery cell separator. As a result, Chrysler recall the Wrangler and Grand Cherokee models to mitigate the risk of fire.

Solution

Chrysler has planned a two-step approach to resolve the issue:

1. Software Update: The battery pack control module will be updated to help detect potential issues.
2. Battery Replacement: If the software update is insufficient, the company will replace the battery pack.

Owners can contact Chrysler’s customer service for more information.

Those who have already paid for repairs or whose vehicles caught fire can request reimbursement. Additionally, affected owners can consult attorneys like SunsetWest Legal Group to explore further legal options.