Stellantis recalls 375K Jeep SUVs for fire risk

Overview: What Happened

Automaker Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, has issued a global recall involving approximately 375,000 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrid SUVs due to potential fire risks linked to the high-voltage battery packs.

The company is urging owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures and to avoid charging them until the necessary repairs are completed.

The issue stems from a possible internal battery cell failure that could lead to a thermal event (fire), whether the vehicle is parked, charging, or being driven.

Affected Models and Years

The recall primarily affects two plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) Jeep models across multiple production years:

• Jeep Wrangler 4xe (Model Years 2020–2025)
• Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (Model Years 2022–2026)

In total, around 320,000 of these vehicles are located in the United States, while another 55,000 are spread globally across Canada, Europe, and other markets.

The Main Issue: Fire Risk from High-Voltage Battery

According to Stellantis, certain battery cells manufactured by Samsung SDI may experience internal separator damage, which can cause a short circuit inside the pack.

This short circuit could lead to a thermal runaway — a chain reaction inside the battery that produces heat, smoke, and in some cases, a fire.

So far, Stellantis has reported:

• 19 vehicle fires related to this issue.
• One injury has been documented, though no fatalities.

Even more concerning is that some of the affected vehicles were already repaired under earlier recall programs — meaning the previous software fixes failed to detect certain battery faults.

What Stellantis Is Saying

Stellantis has confirmed that the current recall supersedes earlier campaigns for the same models. The automaker admits that the previous software-based remedy “did not fully identify specific battery abnormalities.”

Now, the company is conducting a comprehensive recall to both update vehicle software and replace defective batteries if necessary.

The automaker emphasized that owners should not charge their vehicles and must park them outdoors, regardless of whether the car was previously repaired.

What Owners Should Do Immediately

If you own a Jeep Wrangler 4xe or Grand Cherokee 4xe, here’s what you need to do right now:

1. Park your Jeep outdoors and away from buildings.
   Do not park in a garage or near flammable materials.
2. Do not charge the vehicle.
   The fire risk is greater while charging, so stop charging until the recall fix is complete.
3. Check your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number).
   Jeep owners can verify if their SUV is part of the recall using the VIN lookup tool on the official Jeep or Stellantis recall site.
4. Wait for your recall notice.
   Stellantis will begin mailing official recall notifications to owners starting December 2025. These letters will include repair instructions and dealer information.
5. Schedule a free repair once available.
   All recall-related repairs will be completely free of charge for owners.

Recall Timeline

• 2023–2024: Stellantis issued earlier recalls on smaller batches of the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe, deploying software updates designed to detect and prevent potential battery fires.
• Early 2025: New fire incidents occurred — including in vehicles that already had the previous software fix applied.
• November 2025: Stellantis launched a global recall expansion, covering over 375,000 plug-in hybrid Jeep models.

This new action aims to fully resolve any remaining risks by adding advanced detection systems and inspecting or replacing battery packs where needed.

Technical Insight: Why Plug-In Hybrids Face Battery Challenges

Plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) combine a gasoline engine with a high-capacity lithium-ion battery and electric motor. This setup provides better fuel efficiency and the ability to drive short distances on electric power alone.

However, large lithium-ion batteries are complex systems. Each pack contains hundreds of cells, and even a small internal defect — like a damaged separator — can cause short circuits.

If a single cell overheats, it can trigger thermal runaway, spreading heat to adjacent cells and potentially causing a fire.

Automakers typically rely on battery management software to detect early signs of failure, such as temperature spikes or voltage drops. But as Stellantis discovered, not every abnormal condition was being caught by the earlier system — leading to this expanded recall.

What the Repair Will Involve

Stellantis says the final remedy will depend on diagnostic results from each vehicle. The recall fix may include:

• Updated battery monitoring software to detect internal faults more precisely.
• Battery pack inspection to check for damage or overheating signs.
• Battery replacement for affected vehicles where defects are found.

Dealers will perform all inspections and repairs free of charge, and customers will receive written instructions when appointments can be scheduled.

Global Impact

While most affected vehicles are in the United States, this recall impacts owners worldwide. Stellantis confirmed that Jeep customers in Canada, Europe, and Asia should also follow the same “park outside and don’t charge” precautions until their vehicles are repaired.

The company stated that owner notifications will be rolled out region by region, but all vehicles within the identified VIN range are included globally.

How to Check If Your Jeep Is Affected

To find out if your Jeep Wrangler 4xe or Grand Cherokee 4xe is part of this recall, locate your 17-digit VIN number (usually on the dashboard or driver-side door frame) and check it using these methods:

• Visit the official Jeep Recall Lookup page.
• Contact your local Jeep dealership directly.
• Call Jeep customer care with your VIN ready.

Even if your Jeep was previously repaired under a recall, you should still check again, as this new campaign includes vehicles that had earlier fixes.

Conclusion

If you own a Jeep Wrangler 4xe (2020–2025) or Grand Cherokee 4xe (2022–2026), it’s crucial to take immediate action:

• Park the SUV outdoors and don’t charge it until repairs are complete.
• Check your VIN to confirm if your Jeep is affected.
• Wait for the official recall notice, which will include instructions for free repairs starting in December 2025.

This recall underscores how critical battery safety remains in modern hybrid and electric vehicles. Stellantis is working on a comprehensive fix to ensure that all affected Jeep models are safe to drive and charge again.