Imagine stepping outside to find your car engulfed in flames—a nightmare scenario that could become a reality for thousands of Jeep owners. Stellantis has issued an urgent recall for 375,000 plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee SUVs worldwide due to a critical fire risk linked to battery failure. But here's where it gets even more alarming: this isn't the first time this issue has surfaced. After 19 reported fires and one injury, the automaker is urging owners to park their vehicles outdoors and avoid charging them until a fix is implemented.
The recall specifically targets Jeep Wrangler 4xe models from 2020 to 2025 and Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models from 2022 to 2026. Stellantis has confirmed that the batteries in question were manufactured by Samsung SDI, and an investigation revealed a defect eerily similar to the one that prompted a 2024 recall of 154,000 plug-in hybrid Jeep EVs. And this is the part most people miss: even vehicles that were repaired after previous recalls in 2023 and 2024 will need to be fixed again, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Of the recalled vehicles, approximately 320,000 are in the United States. Stellantis reported nine fires originating from batteries in vehicles that received software updates during the 2024 recall, and another 10 fires from batteries outside the scope of that recall. Samsung SDI has pointed to separator damage within the battery cells, combined with other complex interactions, as the likely root cause. However, the company has yet to comment publicly on the latest developments.
This recall comes on the heels of another safety issue for Stellantis, which recalled over 298,000 U.S. vehicles in October due to a potential rollaway risk. But here’s the controversial question: Are automakers like Stellantis doing enough to ensure the safety of their electric and hybrid vehicles, or are consumers being left to bear the brunt of these recurring issues? Let’s spark a discussion—what do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
