A new class action lawsuit filed against Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) over ongoing battery fire concerns with Jeep® Wrangler (JL) 4xe plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs). The suit, filed by New York resident Michael Gandelman on March 4, 2025, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, claims FCA has failed to properly address serious safety risks associated with the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery.
The Jeep Wrangler 4xe has already been subject to two major recalls — one in November 2023 and another in September 2024 — due to the risk of the battery catching fire. Despite these recalls and a subsequent software update applied to Gandelman’s leased 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe in January 2025, the lawsuit claims the underlying issue remains unresolved because the potentially defective battery itself has not been replaced.
According to the complaint, Samsung — the lithium-ion battery manufacturer — warned FCA about a physical defect in some of its batteries that could lead to fires even when the vehicle is turned off. Samsung reportedly issued a recall for these batteries in 2022, citing poor manufacturing quality. Still, FCA allegedly failed to take sufficient action at the time, only advising owners to avoid recharging their batteries and to park their vehicles outdoors until further notice.
The lawsuit accuses FCA of prioritizing sales over customer safety by continuing to sell vehicles with known battery defects. Gandelman’s claims include breach of express and implied warranties, fraudulent concealment, and violations of New York business laws. The complaint argues that had customers been fully informed of the defect, they either would not have purchased the vehicles or would have demanded a lower price.
This is not the first legal action against FCA regarding Jeep battery issues. Previous class action lawsuits filed in 2024 targeted both Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator (JT) models equipped with Samsung-made batteries, alleging similar fire risks.
As this case unfolds, Jeep Wrangler 4xe owners are urged to stay informed and exercise caution, particularly if they have yet to receive a permanent fix for the battery defect.
Source: AboutLawsuits
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