Huge Jeep recall as multiple cases of cars bursting into flames identified

A claim against auto insurance AND home insurance? A careless driver may be the least of your clients’ worries - that is if they drive certain four-wheel drive models. If you have clients that drive a hybrid Jeep - now might be a good time to let them know you’re thinking about them...

Stellantis NV has issued a sweeping recall of roughly 375,000 plug-in hybrid Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee sport-utility vehicles globally after reports of battery fires, urging owners to keep the vehicles parked outside and to avoid charging them until repairs are completed.

The recall applies to certain 2020–2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models and 2022–2026 Grand Cherokee 4xe vehicles, about 320,000 of which are in the United States. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the automaker has logged 19 fire incidents tied to the defect and one reported injury.

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The company said a permanent remedy is expected soon, though owners should take precautions in the meantime. “A remedy is imminent and affected customers will be notified when they may schedule service,” Stellantis said, advising drivers to park their vehicles away from structures and other cars.

Read more: Tesla's 'Mad Max' mode draws scrutiny as US regulators probe aggressive driving behaviour

The issue centers on the high-voltage battery packs built by South Korean supplier Samsung SDI. An internal investigation by Stellantis and Samsung found that cell separator damage within the batteries, combined with other internal factors, may cause electrical short circuits that can ignite fires.

The recall covers vehicles that were previously included in earlier safety campaigns in 2023 and 2024. Stellantis confirmed to regulators that some of those vehicles — which received software updates at the time — are still at risk and must be repaired again. NHTSA said that fix “is ineffective in detecting certain battery abnormalities that can lead to a fire.”

The company told regulators that it had received nine fire reports from vehicles already repaired under the earlier recall and 10 additional fires from vehicles outside that group. Owners who previously brought in their SUVs for recall work are being asked to verify whether their vehicles are covered under this new campaign.

The automaker’s safety notice states that the risk is highest when the battery is fully charged or charging. Because a discharged battery carries less electrical stress, Stellantis has advised owners to avoid plugging in their vehicles altogether until repairs can be scheduled.

The recall is the latest in a series of safety campaigns from the Franco-American carmaker, which in October withdrew nearly 300,000 U.S. vehicles for unrelated rollaway risks. It also marks another blow for Stellantis’ electrification push at a time when the company is seeking to rebuild its presence in its largest market.

The automaker has been trying to regain momentum after a period of sluggish sales and strained dealer relationships in North America. In recent months, shipments have rebounded as inventories improved. Chief Executive Antonio Filosa has pledged to invest roughly $13 billion in U.S. operations, part of a broader effort to boost domestic production and reassure regulators and customers of the brand’s long-term stability.

For insurers and brokers, the Jeep recall underscores the mounting risks associated with lithium-ion battery technology in plug-in hybrids — risks that can lead to property damage claims even when vehicles are stationary. Fire incidents stemming from high-voltage systems have prompted new scrutiny from underwriters, who are re-evaluating exposure linked to charging infrastructure, residential parking, and electric vehicle storage.

Owners of affected Jeep models are urged to contact Stellantis’ customer service line or visit the recall portal at recalls.mopar.com for more information.

It’s not just Jeep, either.

Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid Vehicle Fire-Risk Summary

Key patterns and insights

• Charging as a trigger: Many incidents occurred while the vehicle was actively charging or immediately after reaching full charge. Fire risk stems primarily from internal short circuits or thermal runaway within high-voltage lithium-ion battery modules.
• “Do not charge” advisories: In every major recall—BMW, Ford, Jeep/Chrysler, Audi, Volvo—owners were explicitly advised not to plug in their vehicles until the manufacturer’s remedy was completed.
• Geographical variation: European recalls (Ford Kuga, VW Group) emphasised charging restrictions, while North American recalls (Jeep 4xe, Chrysler Pacifica, Volvo Recharge) focused on parking precautions and software patches.
• Battery suppliers: Many of these affected vehicles used battery cells or modules supplied by LG Energy Solution or Samsung SDI, highlighting the systemic nature of supplier-linked risk.
• Insurance implications: These recalls underscore emerging underwriting exposures for property insurers, motor carriers, and garage keepers — particularly concerning charging-related fire risk in residential or commercial environments.