UPDATE: Jeep® Wrangler 4xe Risk Of Battery Fire Recall

A week ago, we saw Stellantis (FCA US, LLC) issue a recall for a risk of a battery pack fire for the 2021 to 2023 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited 4xe (JL) plug-in hybrid (PHEV). However, we are now learning more details about those 32,125 vehicles in the United States, an estimated 3,856 in Canada, and 9,249 outside North America, thanks to documents sent from FCA US, LLC to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

According to the documents, some 2021 to 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe PHEVs may have a high-voltage (HV) battery that may fail internally. The defect has not been identified, and the root cause is still being investigated. Samsung SDI is the manufacturer of the battery.

The suspect period began on September 18th, 2020, when production of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe with battery cells manufactured from January 21st, 2021, through October 2nd, 2021, began and ended on March 22nd, 2023, when production of the vehicles built with battery cells manufactured from January 21st, 2021, through October 2nd, 2021, finished. The suspect population was determined using the supplier manufacturing records of HV batteries with cells manufactured from January 21st, 2021, through October 2nd, 2021.

Recall Chronology – 

• On May 12, 2023, the FCA US LLC (“FCA US”) Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance (“TSRC”) organization opened an investigation after receiving two field reports of 2021 MY Jeep Wrangler PHEVs with fires originating from the HV battery.

• In May 2023, FCA US requested buybacks of both vehicles for further analysis.

• From May 2023 to September 2023, FCA US received five additional reports of 2021-2022 MY Jeep Wrangler PHEVs with fires originating from the HV battery. We requested buybacks of these vehicles for further analysis.
• In October 2023, FCA US received two vehicle buybacks and disassembled the HV battery packs. The modules and cells are undergoing additional analysis.

• As of November 9, 2023, FCA US is aware of zero customer assistance records, zero warranty claims, and eight field reports potentially relating to this issue for all markets, with receipt dates ranging from April 6, 2023, to November 02, 2023.

• As of November 9, 2023, FCA US is unaware of any accidents or injuries potentially relating to this issue for all markets.

• On November 16, 2023, FCA US determined, through the Vehicle Regulations Committee, to conduct a voluntary safety recall of the affected vehicles.

Owners are advised not to recharge their vehicles and to park outside and away from structures until they are repaired. Dealers will update the high voltage battery pack software and replace the battery pack assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on January 11th, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC’s number for this recall is 89A.

Owners may also contact the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov.