Jeep Wrangler Fires Probe Closed After Stellantis Recall

NHTSA Closes Preliminary Evaluation of Jeep Fires

Jeep Wrangler fires were the subject of a preliminary evaluation that the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it had closed on September 29. The agency had examined reports involving Jeep vehicles that caught fire while parked with the ignition switched off. Several reported incidents appeared to have originated near the power steering pump, prompting regulatory scrutiny. The evaluation covered vehicles involved in reports of underhood fires and focused on conditions that were subsequently addressed through a recall. NHTSA said the recall addressed the vehicles and conditions examined during its probe, while also noting that it will continue monitoring field performance.

Investigation Covered About 781,500 Jeep Vehicles

NHTSA opened the investigation in September 2024 after receiving reports of fires involving approximately 781,500 Jeep Wrangler SUVs and Gladiator trucks. The reported incidents involved vehicles that were parked and had their ignition turned off, creating a specific safety concern because fires could occur when the vehicles were not being operated. Several reports indicated that the fire appeared to begin near the power steering pump. The investigation therefore focused on the affected Wrangler and Gladiator population and the circumstances surrounding the reported fires. The agency's preliminary evaluation was later addressed through a broader recall covering additional vehicles beyond the population initially examined.

Stellantis Expanded the Recall to Nearly 1.08 Million Vehicles

To address the problem, Stellantis recalled nearly 1.08 million vehicles in the United States in June, expanding the action beyond the original investigation. The global recall population exceeded 1.3 million vehicles. The expanded recall covers all 2021-2025 Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators manufactured from June 24, 2020, through December 2, 2024. Approximately 253,000 of the recalled vehicles were located in Canada, Mexico, and other markets outside North America. The broader scope means the recall encompasses vehicles across multiple production years and markets rather than being limited to the vehicles and incidents initially examined during the NHTSA investigation.

Recall Addresses Vehicles Examined in NHTSA Probe

NHTSA said the recall addressed the vehicles and conditions examined during its preliminary evaluation. The agency's closure of the evaluation does not end regulatory oversight of the issue, because NHTSA stated that it will continue to monitor field performance. The agency also retained the ability to take additional action if warranted by information obtained from vehicles in service. For owners of affected Jeep models, the recall therefore represents the principal corrective action associated with the investigation, while continued field monitoring provides a mechanism for NHTSA to assess whether additional safety concerns emerge after the recall has been implemented.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The closure illustrates how reported vehicle fires can lead from an initial regulatory investigation to a broader manufacturer recall covering multiple model years and international markets. For United States vehicle owners, the key development is that NHTSA considers the recalled vehicles and conditions addressed by the action, while retaining ongoing oversight of field performance. The recall also affects owners and operators of Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles produced across the specified manufacturing period. The next stage will depend on field results and any additional information received by NHTSA, which could determine whether further regulatory action becomes necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did NHTSA close its preliminary evaluation of Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator fires?
NHTSA closed its preliminary evaluation after determining that Stellantis' recall addressed the vehicles and conditions examined during the investigation. The agency had investigated reports of fires involving parked Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators with the ignition off. The recall expanded to cover all 2021-2025 vehicles manufactured during the specified production period. NHTSA said it will continue monitoring field performance and could take additional action if warranted by information from vehicles in service. The closure therefore concludes the preliminary evaluation while maintaining continued regulatory oversight of the affected vehicles.