The JL may have been off to a poor start due to numerous quality issues, most notably inadequate welds, but Jeep continues to dominate this particular segment with the long-running Wrangler. No fewer than 126,551 examples were delivered to customers in the United States in the first three quarters of 2023 as opposed to 91,468 units of the Ford Bronco.
As it happens, a handful of those Wranglers have been hit with a safety recall. According to a release published by FCA US LLC, an estimated 32,125 examples of the 2021 to 2024 model year Jeep Wrangler 4xe need to be inspected over a potential fire risk. Chrysler is aware of eight vehicle fires related to the recall condition, with all eight vehicles being turned off when the battery fire started.
The Auburn Hills-based automaker that became Stellantis after the merger with Groupe PSA further disclosed that six of those battery fires occurred while connected to chargers. Thankfully, Stellantis isn't aware of any injuries related to this problem.
Why does the Wrangler 4xe catch fire? In typical fashion, Chrysler didn't explain the root cause. On the other hand, the automaker did mention that a software flash is required. In case of a certain error code that Chrysler didn't share with the media, the high-voltage battery pack (supplied by Samsung SDI) will be replaced at no charge whatsoever to the owners.
It should be noted that Samsung SDI recalled no fewer than 24 batteries intended for the Wrangler 4xe in January 2022, along with 1,139 more for the Ford Escape PHEV. As per the South Korean supplier, inadequate welding between the battery cell terminal and busbar may lead to a loss of motive power.
Photo: Jeep
Turning our attention back to the current recall, Chrysler is also calling back 3,856 examples of the Wrangler 4xe in Canada, plus 9,249 other vehicles outside North America. The automaker estimates that one percent of the grand total may require a replacement high-voltage battery. One percent of 45,230 means 452.
In the meantime, as Chrysler prepares to send recall notifications via first-class mail to affected owners, the automaker urges Wrangler 4xe owners to refrain from recharging their vehicles. Of course, owners are further advised to park outside, away from structures and other vehicles, until the remedy is performed.
As of November 22, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has yet to publish any information regarding this recall. The manufacturer communications uploaded to the NHTSA's website for the 2024 and earlier Jeep Wrangler 4xe don't offer any clues either, at least not for the time being.
Refreshed for the 2024 model year, the fourth-gen Wrangler soldiers on with four-, six-, and eight-cylinder powertrains. The plug-in hybrid brings together a 2.0-liter turbo and an electric motor sandwiched by two clutches: one for the transmission, and the other for the engine. Up front, a second electric motor acts as a starter generator. At the present moment, the 4xe retails at $50,695.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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