Over 300,000 Jeep Plug-In Hybrids Pose Fire Risk

Bassyonni

ago 4 hours

Over 300,000 Jeep Plug-In Hybrids Pose Fire Risk

Stellantis has announced a significant recall affecting over 300,000 Jeep plug-in hybrid vehicles due to a potential fire risk linked to their battery packs. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported concerns surrounding high-voltage lithium-ion battery components. Certain defects in these cells can increase the risk of fire.

Details of the Recall

The recall impacts two Jeep models: the 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and the 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe.

Jeep Wrangler 4xe: Approximately 228,221 units affected.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe: Around 91,844 units affected.

Fires may occur when these vehicles are parked or even while driving, prompting the NHTSA to recommend precautionary measures. Owners are advised to park their vehicles outdoors and away from buildings and structures until they can be serviced. Furthermore, it is recommended to avoid plugging in the vehicles, as a charged battery poses a higher fire risk than a depleted one.

Understanding the Fire Risk

Despite improvements in electric vehicle safety, incidents of battery fires can occur, often due to a phenomenon called thermal runaway. This event transpires when lithium-ion cells burn uncontrollably, typically sparked by a breach in a separator that keeps the battery’s anode and cathode apart. Such breaches can result in short circuits and extreme heat.

Previous Issues and Current Solutions

The NHTSA highlighted that Stellantis was aware of at least one related injury and up to 19 reported fires. This latest recall follows a previous notification from September, where Stellantis offered software updates or battery replacements to address the risk. However, it appears that these methods are insufficient for detecting battery pack defects.

Both Jeep models utilize a 17.3-kilowatt-hour high-voltage battery pack. The Wrangler 4xe provides an all-electric range of approximately 21 miles, while the Grand Cherokee 4xe offers a slightly better range of 26 miles. Though Stellantis has not disclosed its battery supplier, reports indicate that Samsung SDI is the manufacturer for these hybrids in the U.S.

Impact on Stellantis

Stellantis experienced a 6% year-over-year increase in sales during the third quarter. The Jeep Wrangler 4xe notably emerged as the best-selling plug-in hybrid in the U.S. However, this recall poses a potential setback for the automaker as it attempts to recover from a recent sales slump and declining profit margins.