NHTSA Issues Park Outside Consumer Alert for Jeep Fires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a rare Consumer Alert telling owners of more than 154,000 model year 2020-2024 Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and model year 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid electric vehicles due to a risk of fire while parked or driven. There have been two alleged injuries reported to date. The affected vehicles may have been built with a high voltage battery that may fail internally. (read AutoInformed.com on Plug-in Hybrid Jeeps Recalled for Battery Fire Risks)

Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from structures and other vehicles until their vehicle has been remedied. In addition, owners should not charge unrepaired vehicles, because the risk of fire is higher in a charged battery and the risk of fire is reduced when the battery is depleted.

To fix the  potentially deadly safety defect, Chrysler dealers will update the battery pack control module software. Dealers will also inspect and, if necessary, replace the high-voltage battery. Owners can expect to be notified by mail starting 17 October 2024. They can contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. The NHTSA recall numbers are 24V-720 and 24E-080.

Owners can also visit NHTSA.gov/recalls or call NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 and enter their license plate number or 17-digit vehicle identification number to see if their vehicle is under recall. NHTSA also encourages everyone to download its SaferCar app to stay informed on current recalls.