Jeep has issued a recall for 154,032 plug-in hybrid SUVs in the U.S. due to potential battery fires, prompting the company to advise owners to park their vehicles outdoors and away from other structures, as disclosed by the NHTSA last week.
This recall includes 118,230 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models manufactured between 2020 and 2024, along with 35,802 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe models from the 2022 to 2024 model years. The “4xe” label indicates Jeep’s line of plug-in hybrid vehicles.
The recall represents a substantial increase from an earlier recall that was limited to 32,125 Jeep Wrangler 4xes from the 2021-2023 model years. The updated recall now covers all plug-in hybrids produced by Jeep through November 16, 2023, although the company estimates that merely 1% of the recalled vehicles may have the defect.
According to the NHTSA’s report, the recalled models feature a 17-kWh battery pack with cells that are “susceptible to separator damage.” This damage poses a risk of causing a fire whether the vehicle is parked or in operation. Jeep advises against charging the recalled vehicles, as doing so could reduce the fire risk. Additionally, they recommend that owners keep their vehicles parked outside and distanced from buildings “out of an abundance of caution.”
In August, Samsung SDI, the battery supplier, informed Jeep that the separator issue is likely at fault, although the fundamental reason is still being examined.
Jeep has acknowledged 13 reports from the field and two injuries associated with this issue, but there have been no recorded crashes or fatalities.
A dealer-performed software update may resolve the issue; however, if that does not suffice, Jeep will replace the high-voltage battery pack. Owners who have incurred costs for these repairs will be reimbursed. Notifications will be sent starting October 17, informing owners to bring their 4xe models to a dealer for necessary updates or battery replacement.
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