Jeep Wrangler 4xe Gets Second Recall for Battery Problems

More than 40,000 Jeep Wrangler 4xe sport utility vehicles are set to be called back a second time over serious battery problems that pose real safety hazards.

The plug-in SUVs’ high-voltage batteries may fail unexpectedly and without prior warning, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is a potential recipe for disaster for anyone traveling in the vehicles or on the road with them. 

“An internally failed HV battery could lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off,” Stellantis, the company that owns Jeep, said in a notice filed with NHTSA. “A vehicle fire can result in increased risk of occupant injury and/or injury to persons outside the vehicle, as well as property damage.”

Stellantis said it is aware of at least eight fires stemming from the defect, including six in which the cars were plugged into chargers at the time. The company said it is not aware of any accidents or injuries caused by the problem.

The recall covers certain 2021–2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles. More than 32,000 of them were sold in the U.S., with another 3,200 in Canada and more than 9,000 elsewhere around the world.

Stellantis, in 2022, recalled certain Wrangler 4xe vehicles over other battery power problems. The company said at the time incorrect battery fasteners were to blame.

Stellantis is warning owners not to try to charge recalled vehicles - and to park outside - until they are fixed. The company also temporarily ordered dealers to stop selling the vehicles for the time being.

The company said it would notify owners of recalled cars by mail by Jan. 11. It is asking owners to bring their vehicles to authorized service providers for inspection, a software flash and possible battery replacement. 

California Jeep Wrangler Owners: Know Your Lemon Law Rights

These kinds of recalls are all too common for Stellantis and other major auto manufacturers. They call back millions of vehicles every year, citing serious defects that can put everyone on the road in harm’s way.

California car owners and lessors have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. You do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed.

The lemon law, officially known as the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, forces automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they are unable to or simply decline to fix. 

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon lawyer can help you understand your rights and take action.

Our California Lemon Lawyers Can Help

At Bickel Sannipoli, our California lemon law attorneys have assisted hundreds of clients across the state stuck with defective or malfunctioning vehicles. 

We are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.