The Hidden Recall Crisis Jeep Owners Are Furious About
While I would never personally own a Jeep, there are many people drawn to the ruggedness of the vehicle. Jeeps are fairly popular, and many towns have their own Jeep clubs. However, there have been some developments that have cast a shadow over the popular car brand. Some Jeep owners are absolutely furious. Here’s why.
Plug-In Hybrids at Risk of Fire
In October 2024, Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, recalled over 194,000 plug-in hybrid SUVs, including the Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe models from 2020 to 2024. Although it has become a fairly common (and terrifying) problem with hybrids and EVs, these vehicles’ high-voltage batteries pose a fire risk. What’s scarier is that the batteries pose the same risk whether the ignition is on or off, meaning it could catch on fire just sitting in your garage. At the time of the recall, Stellantis urged owners to park their cars outside. They were also urged to avoid charging them altogether until repairs could be made. This led to 13 fires and 2 reported injuries, and it undoubtedly damaged Jeep’s reputation.
The Problems Don’t Stop There
Jeep announced a recall affecting over 32,000 Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles due to defective instrument panel clusters (IPCs). These clusters could experience internal short circuits, leading to blank screens and loss of critical vehicle information. The affected models span from 2018 to 2024 for Wranglers and 2020 to 2024 for Gladiators. Such failures not only breach federal safety standards but also pose significant risks to drivers. Jeep’s response involved replacing the faulty IPCs, but the recall has raised concerns about quality control.
On top of that, Jeep recalled certain 2017-2019 Cherokee SUVs due to transmission problems that could cause drivers to lose power while in motion or prevent the vehicle from being put into Park. These issues increase the risk of crashes and have left many owners feeling unsafe. The recall aimed to address these defects, but the problems have persisted for some. Such transmission failures undermine the reliability that Jeep owners expect. The ongoing nature of these issues contributes to the broader Jeep recall crisis.
Nearly 80,000 Jeep vehicles were recalled due to rearview camera issues that could prevent the display from functioning properly. This defect compromises driver visibility and increases the risk of accidents. The recall affected various models and required software updates to resolve the problem. Owners expressed frustration over the inconvenience and potential danger posed by this malfunction. Such electronic failures add to the growing list of concerns in the Jeep recall crisis.
A Crisis Jeep Can’t Afford to Ignore
When you look back at the recalls impacting Jeeps over the years, there are even more that you could add to the list. This has caused more Jeep owners to push the company for transparency and accountability. The company’s recall crisis shows a pattern of oversight that could potentially put drivers at risk. To maintain (or possibly even rebuild) its reputation, Jeep needs to prioritize safety and quality.
Have you experienced issues with your Jeep? Share your story in the comments and let us know how the recall crisis has affected you.
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Drew Blankenship is a former Porsche technician who writes and develops content full-time. He lives in North Carolina, where he enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. While Drew no longer gets his hands dirty modifying Porsches, he still loves motorsport and avidly watches Formula 1.