More than one million Jeep vehicles have been recalled over fears they could spontaneously catch fire — even when parked with the engine switched off — in a major safety alert that has prompted regulators to warn owners to park away from buildings until their cars are repaired.
Stellantis, the parent company of Chrysler and Jeep, has notified the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it is recalling approximately 1.08 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles manufactured between 2021 and 2025. The recall also extends to an estimated 106,258 vehicles in Canada, 23,702 in Mexico and 124,297 in markets outside North America — bringing the total global figure to well over one million.
The problem stems from a possible electrical connection fault in the electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring. In rare cases, the defect could cause nearby combustible materials to overheat and potentially ignite a fire. Crucially, the NHTSA has warned the risk exists even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition off — a detail that has made the recall particularly alarming for owners.
The NHTSA is advising affected owners to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the fault has been remedied. Stellantis said an internal investigation found some vehicles may require their wiring harness and electric hydraulic power steering pump to be repaired or replaced, but confirmed the work will be carried out free of charge. Customers will be contacted by first-class mail when they can schedule a service appointment. “FCA US is working diligently to accelerate remedy availability and anticipates a solution no later than July,” a Stellantis spokesperson said, according to the Daily Mail. Owners with questions can call 1-800-853-1403 or visit recalls.mopar.com.
The recall is the latest in a string of safety issues for the brand. In late May, Stellantis recalled 419,035 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Grand Cherokee L SUVs over a software defect that could delay side airbag deployment during crashes, according to The Detroit News. Last year the company recalled more than 320,000 plug-in hybrid Wrangler and Grand Cherokee models due to a separate fire risk.
Despite the setbacks, Jeep has been showing signs of recovery under chief executive Antonio Filosa’s turnaround strategy. After six consecutive years of declining US sales — blamed on a revolving door of leadership, a shortage of new models and an unsuccessful push toward premium pricing — the brand realigned its lineup in 2025 and reported its best quarterly sales gain in the middle of that year. This past quarter, Jeep recorded 1.4 million shipments, up 12 per cent year on year.
The Wrangler, introduced in 1986, remains one of the most iconic vehicles in American motoring history, prized for its off-road capability and heritage. The Gladiator, launched in 2019, has more recently rebuilt momentum after a sluggish start. The fire risk recall will test both the loyalty of that fanbase and the credibility of the brand’s ongoing recovery.
