Wrangler Plug-in Hybrid Fire Risk Sparks Lawsuit Against Stellantis

Mar 11, 2024 09:11 PM EDT

OFFROAD JEEP WRANGLER 4X4 — (Photo : PIXABAY/HScarphotographie)

A federal lawsuit, filed recently, claims that Jeep marketed Wrangler Plug-in hybrid vehicles with a fire risk, and has not adequately addressed the issue for owners. Stellantis NV has disputed these allegations. It claimed that it started addressing the battery-related problem. Owners of Jeep and Wrangler 4xe are presently embroiled in a legal dispute in the US. District Court in Detroit regarding the grievance. They are arguing that Jeep failed to adequately address the fire hazard associated with the Wrangler 4xe.

Jeep Fire Risk Alert

Detroit - A lawsuit has been filed in District Court in Detroit. The complain is charging Jeep with failing to adequately handle a fire risk connected to the Wrangler Plug-in hybrid. According to CarScoops, nine complainants who own Wrangler 4xe versions and are from seven different states filed the lawsuit.

It's a suggested class-action lawsuit. Furthermore, it cited a connection between the vehicle's lithium-ion battery packs and the fire risk. Stellantis argues that dealers are now actively performing repairs. While the plaintiff claims that Stellantis has not offered a remedy.

In 2021, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Groupe PSA united to establish Stellantis.

The suit claims that, according to FCA, the root cause of the fires is unknown. However, it asserts that there is a high level of certainty among consumers that the defect is associated with the vehicles' high-voltage lithium-ion battery packs and related components utilized for electric mode operation.

According to information reported on gmtoday, Stellantis has stated that it promptly informed the public and media about the recall concerning the fire risk in specific 2021-2024 Wrangler 4xe models in November. Dealers are now capable of conducting the necessary repairs, and customers are currently being notified about the availability of the repair.

Additionally, the report stated that, according to the suit, the company was expected to be aware of a potential vehicle defect prior to the vehicles entering the market. This anticipation arises from claims that the Samsung SDI America Inc. batteries had a "history of issues," including those related to previous fire-risk recalls by Ford Motor Co. and BMW AG, as characterized by attorneys.

A spokesperson from Samsung did not provide a comment in response to a request made on Tuesday afternoon. According to the lawsuit, possible problems with the battery packs should have been discovered during FCA's pre-launch stress and durability testing.

Stellantis announced a possible fire risk associated with the Wrangler Plug-in hybrid in November and recalled 32,125 vehicles in the US, 3,856 in Canada, and 9,294 units worldwide. According to the business, the fix would involve either a software update or, in the event that a specific problem code was found, a free replacement of the complete battery pack. Eight vehicle fires that happened when the automobiles were parked and turned off have all been reported to Jeep.

Wrangler 4xe

Car and Driver's review states that the redesigned Wrangler is an even more alluring alternative because of its enhanced safety features, a long-lasting 12.3-inch touchscreen, increased availability of the Wrangler 4xe, and the option for a winch.

One significant improvement for the 2024 Wrangler is the standard 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is neatly integrated into the revised dash.

This feature is available across all trim levels, from the base Sport model to the range-topping Rubicon 392. While built-in navigation is exclusive to the Sahara model, wireless phone mirroring and app-based navigation are accessible on all trims.

Additionally, the factory navigation system offers advantages such as built-in Badge of Honor trail guidance and integrates the Trails Offroad trail-library application, functioning from cached data in areas with limited cellular service.