Jeep's Fiery Recall: 300,000+ Plug-In Hybrids Face Battery Fire Risk

TL;DR: Hold up, Jeep owners! Stellantis is recalling over 300,000 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids because their high-voltage batteries could catch fire. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is telling owners to park these bad boys outdoors and, for heaven's sake, don't plug 'em in! It's a serious safety alert for a popular PHEV.

Meta: Stellantis is recalling over 300,000 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids due to a significant battery fire risk, with owners advised to park outdoors and avoid charging.

Well, this ain't exactly a smooth ride for Stellantis! They're hitting the brakes on over 300,000 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids, all because of a pesky little thing called a fire risk. The NHTSA is not mincing words, telling owners to treat these vehicles like they're carrying fireworks – park 'em outside and away from anything important. And don't even think about plugging them in, because a charged battery could mean a higher risk. Talk about a buzzkill for your eco-friendly commute!

The problem seems to be stemming from potential separator damage within the lithium-ion cells. Now, if you're not a battery whiz, a separator is basically what keeps the good stuff apart. If it ruptures, things get hot, short-circuit, and boom! Thermal runaway. Stellantis is aware of one related injury and 19 known fires, which is more than enough to get Uncle Sam's attention.

Double Trouble: An Ineffective Fix

This isn't the first time these Jeeps have had a date with a recall notice. Back in September, NHTSA issued one for a software update or a full battery replacement. But it turns out, that fix was about as effective as a screen door on a submarine. So, here we are again, with a more urgent warning and no clear remedy yet. It's like trying to fix a leaky faucet with a band-aid – you just end up with a bigger mess.

Both the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe pack a 17.3-kilowatt-hour battery, supplying about 21 and 26 miles of electric range, respectively. The supplier is rumored to be Samsung SDI. This recall is a major blow for Stellantis, especially since the Wrangler 4xe was the best-selling PHEV in the U.S. during Q3. Just when they thought they were bouncing back from a sales slump, this fiery news drops like a ton of bricks. It just goes to show, you can't rush perfection, especially when it comes to batteries!

"NHTSA advised owners to park the vehicles outdoors and away from structures until the recall is completed and the vehicles are fully serviced. It also urged owners to refrain from plugging them in, as the risk of fire may be higher with a charged battery than with a depleted one."

While EV fires are statistically less common than gas car fires, incidents like this remind everyone that safety is paramount. When it does happen, these high-voltage packs can be a real headache to extinguish. So, for now, if you've got one of these Jeeps, treat it with respect, and maybe keep a fire extinguisher handy. Just kidding... mostly.

What's Next

Stellantis and NHTSA are working overtime to find an effective remedy for these PHEV battery packs. Owners should closely follow all advisories, including parking outdoors and avoiding charging, until the permanent fix is implemented. This recall will be a crucial test for Stellantis's commitment to safety and could impact consumer confidence in their electrified lineup moving forward. It’s a tough break, but sometimes you gotta stop, drop, and roll... right out of the garage. You know what I'm saying?