Jeep has recalled 154,032 plug-in hybrid SUVs in the U.S. for battery fires that prompted Jeep to warn owners to park outside away from other structures, the NHTSA disclosed last week.
The recall encompasses 118,230 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models from 2020-2024, as well as 35,802 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models from the 2022-2024 model years. The “4xe” designation signifies Jeep’s plug-in hybrid models.
The recall marks a significant expansion of a previous recall that had been limited to 32,125 Jeep Wrangler 4xes from the 2021-2023 model year. The expanded recall now accounts for all plug-in hybrids made though Nov. 16, 2023 by Jeep, even though the brand estimates that only 1% of the recall population has the issue.
The recalled vehicles have a 17-kwh battery pack with cells that are “susceptible to separator damage,” according to the NHTSA filing. The separator damage could lead to a vehicle fire both when the Jeep is parked or while in motion. Jeep recommends not charging the recalled vehicles since the fire risk is reduced when there’s no battery charge. Jeep also asks owners to park outside and away from structures out of “an abundance of caution.”
In August, battery supplier Samsung SDI told Jeep the separator issue is the likely cause, but the root cause is still under investigation.
Jeep acknowledged 13 field reports and two injuries related to the issue, but no crashes or fatalities.
A software flash performed at a dealer could remedy the problem, but if not Jeep will replace the high-voltage battery pack. Reimbursement will be provided for owners who have paid for the work to be done. Owners will be notified as early as Oct. 17, and they’ll be advised to bring their 4xe models into the dealer for the software update and/or battery replacement.
For more info, contact Jeep customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or visit Jeep’s recall site.