Chrysler is recalling approximately 154,000 Jeep electric vehicles (EVs) due to concerns about a potential fire risk while parked or being driven, FOX Business reports.
The recall, announced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Tuesday, affects the 2020-2024 Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and the 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEVs.
The recall encompasses 118,230 Jeep Wrangler PHEVs and 35,802 Jeep Grand Cherokee PHEVs, all manufactured by Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Jeep. According to the NHTSA, the vehicles were recalled due to a “risk of fire while parked or driven.”
To ensure safety, the agency advises owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures or other vehicles until the issue has been resolved. Furthermore, owners are instructed not to charge the vehicles until they have been repaired, as charging increases the fire risk, which is lower when the battery is depleted.
So far, the NHTSA reports two alleged injuries related to the recall. The agency noted that the affected vehicles may have been manufactured with a high-voltage battery that could fail internally.
Owners of the recalled vehicles are encouraged to visit their local Chrysler dealers to update the vehicle’s battery pack control module software. Dealers will also be able to inspect and, if necessary, replace the high-voltage battery.
Notifications will be mailed to affected drivers starting on October 17. For further assistance, owners can contact customer service at 800-853-1403. The NHTSA recall numbers for the affected models are 24V-720 for Wranglers and 24E-080 for Grand Cherokees.
