A million Jeeps under threat: fire risk lurks even in the parking lot

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Stellantis has been hit with another major recall in the US. According to NHTSA, the service campaign covers 1,076,999 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles from the 2021–2025 model years.

The issue lies in the wiring of the electric-hydraulic power steering pump. The wiring can overheat and, in the worst case, lead to a vehicle fire. The unsettling detail is that the risk persists even when the car is parked with the ignition switched off.

Dealers are required to inspect the vehicles and, if necessary, replace the affected components free of charge. For Wrangler and Gladiator owners, this is one of those cases where putting off a service visit is a bad idea: this isn’t a glitchy infotainment system or a squeak — it’s a potential fire.

Almost simultaneously, Stellantis announced another US recall — 17,277 vehicles over a battery pack defect. That one can also trigger a fire, including when the vehicle is switched off.

The broader picture for the conglomerate looks grim. Last month, Stellantis recalled more than 419,000 vehicles over an improper side airbag deployment issue.

For Jeep, the blow lands especially hard: Wranglers and Gladiators are bought for their durability, no-nonsense image and readiness for tough use. But right now the main selling point isn’t off-road capability — it’s how quickly the owner gets the car checked at the dealer.