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Jeep® Grand Cherokee 4xe Stop-Sale Issued Over Safety Recall

Software Glitch Prompts Stop-Sale Of One Of America's Best-Selling PHEVs

Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) has issued a stop-sale order for its popular Jeep® Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid models, built between 2022 and 2026. The move comes after federal regulators flagged a potentially dangerous software problem in the SUV’s hybrid system, according to documents now published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

What’s Behind the Recall – 

2023 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Trailhawk 4xe. (Jeep).

At the heart of the issue is a communication error between two important pieces of the plug-in hybrid’s drivetrain: the Battery Pack Control Module (BPCM) and the Hybrid Control Processor (HCP). Stellantis says that during certain resets, the HCP may misread signals from the BPCM. If this happens, the result could be a complete loss of propulsion while driving—something that dramatically increases the risk of a crash.

While the automaker stresses that no accidents or injuries have been reported, the scope of the recall is significant. Roughly 91,787 vehicles in the United States are affected. Additional vehicles are being recalled across Canada (about 3,476 units), Mexico (1,792 units), and other global markets (5,311 units).

Stop-Sale in Effect – 

Until repairs are available, dealers are not allowed to sell any new Grand Cherokee 4xe models identified under this recall. Federal law requires that any stop-sale vehicle must be fixed before it can be sold to a customer. Dealers caught selling one of these vehicles without the proper repair could face fines of up to $27,874 per vehicle.

Stellantis has also reminded dealers that impacted vehicles still on their lots qualify for reimbursement under the Recall Floorplan Reimbursement Policy. Customers, meanwhile, are left waiting for the official remedy.

What’s the Fix? – 

2023 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe. (Jeep).

Unfortunately, the solution is not yet ready. Stellantis says the repair will involve updating the hybrid control processor’s software, but the fix won’t be rolled out until the fourth quarter of 2025. Until then, affected owners will need to wait for a notice in the mail informing them when it’s safe to bring their SUV to a dealership for the update.

What Customers Should Know – 

2024 Jeep® Grand Cherokee Summit Reserve 4xe. (Jeep).

For now, Stellantis is asking customers with concerns to contact their Jeep dealer or call FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. All recall work will be performed free of charge once parts and software are available.

While hybrid technology has helped the Grand Cherokee 4xe become one of the brand’s most in-demand models, this stop-sale highlights the growing pains of electrified vehicles. With no immediate fix, Stellantis and its dealer network will need to carefully manage communications with owners to maintain confidence in the 4xe lineup.

Robert S. Miller

Robert S. Miller is a diehard Mopar enthusiast who lives and breathes all that is Mopar. The Michigander is not only the Editor for MoparInsiders.com, 5thGenRams.com, and HDRams.com but an automotive photographer. He is an avid fan of offshore powerboat racing, which he travels the country to take part in.

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Why, why, why, why would anyone buy any vehicle that is critical to everyday needs that is predominately electric ? My ten foot pole statement on the Charger Daytona still has gravitas in fact which all electrics fundamentally carry. It’s evidential science dudes. It’s just so common sense, one should not ignore the evidence no matter how good it makes you feel. I know, save those whales Karen.
Just tell me, anyone, WHY ???

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Why, why, why, why would anyone buy any vehicle that is critical to everyday needs that is predominately electric ? My ten foot pole statement on the Charger Daytona still has gravitas in fact which all electrics fundamentally carry. It’s evidential science dudes. It’s just so common sense, one should not ignore the evidence no matter how good it makes you feel. I know, save those whales Karen.
Just tell me, anyone, WHY ???

Everybody knows that I've been EV skeptical since this push really got going in 2021. And I'm not sure I'd ever go totally electric (I still have my 392 Hemi Challenger which isn't going anywhere). But I will say this: I decided to lease a F-150 Lightning pickup before the tax credit ends, and because the deals are mind blowing on them right now. I leased it because of my skepticism and because I want to try out the technology for a couple years without any real commitment on my part.

I have had the truck now for 6 weeks and I've put almost 1,500 miles on it. I have towed my 26' enclosed camper/car hauler with it. I've taken my wife on a 280 mile trip to the lake with it. I've commuted to work daily in it 40 miles round trip. I've done every single thing with this electric truck that I did with the diesel truck I traded in. And so far the Lightning has proven to be up to the task. The power is amazing and made the transition from diesel to EV easy to adjust to. The additional storage in the "frunk" has been useful. The 120/240 volt onboard outlets all over the truck have been useful. Whereas I was spending $85-100 PER fill-up with the diesel truck, I am now spending $14 per fill-up with the electric truck. My insurance decreased $350/year, likely due to the loads of safety items on this electric truck. The interesting thing about it is that being able to "fill up" at home anytime I want has given me a sense of freedom that I didn't have before. It's hard to explain. You just have to live it. I also never thought I'd like the quiet, peaceful nature of the EV, but as I'm approaching age 50 I guess I am finding that I really like this a lot. My one, and only one, complaint is the range while towing. If the next iteration of this truck allows, say, 250 miles of towing range instead of 100 it would be perfect.

So my takeaway has been this so far: electric vehicles are not for everyone, but they make a good option in many cases and I think options are good for consumers. I am liking this EV pickup truck far more than I expected to. And it's obvious to me the longer I have this that Ford did put in the homework and made a very quality truck with the Lightning. I have seen other guys with 100k to 150k miles on these already being used in the field for work, with no failures and still showing 95% battery efficiency. So that looks promising.

I think what I would add to your statement would be this: "Why, why, why, why would anyone buy a STELLANTIS vehicle that is critical to everyday needs that is predominantly electric?"

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I think what I would add to your statement would be this: "Why, why, why, why would anyone buy a STELLANTIS vehicle that is critical to everyday needs that is predominantly electric?"

That is a golden statement.👏

I think what we are witnessing is from the engineering ranks in Auburn Hills being decimated under the old regime.

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Just tell me, anyone, WHY ???

The design of the hybrid system in my Toyota dates back to the last few years of the 1950s decade. Maybe that's why the transmission is basically a Buick Dynaflow with a pair of electric motors replacing the fluid coupling. This hybrid design of the Toyota Prius, Ford Maverick, and Chrysler Pacifica wasn't developed for environmental concerns, but in response to the Suez Crisis. The R&D and subsequent patents that resulted are the work not of an auto manufacturer, but a defense contractor, TRW. Energy security was a thing even before peak oil.

After the the TRW patents ran out a number of automakers grabbed the ball and ran with it. Toyota with its family control and dedication to continuous improvement won the race. The one American automaker that took electrification seriously was AMC. Their R&D even continued when everything was consolidated under the roof in Auburn Hills. So what happened? Daimler-Benz looted everything. That's why the front e-axle of the Chrysler Citadel concept is now being made in China for the Chinese.

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