- Recall affects 1.3 million MY21-25 Wrangler SUVs and Gladiator trucks.
- Faulty steering pump connection can overheat and potentially start fires.
- Jeep advises parking outdoors until repairs are completed by dealers.
More than a million Jeep owners have been issued a warning nobody wants to hear. If you own certain Wrangler or Gladiator models, the company says you should park outside and away from buildings or risk your go-anywhere utility going up in flames.
All told, the recall covers more than 1.33 million 2021-2025 Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide. In the United States, it affects 1,076,999 units, with another 106,000 in Canada, 23,000 in Mexico, and roughly 125,000 spread across other markets around the world.
An electrical connection linked to the electric hydraulic power steering pump can develop high resistance, creating excess heat that could ultimately lead to a fire, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The risk exists even when the vehicle is parked with the ignition off, which is why Stellantis is urging owners to keep them away from buildings.
Related: Over 517K Jeeps And Hondas Recalled For Airbag Issues
In the States, the vast majority of affected vehicles are Wranglers, accounting for 787,887 units, while another 289,112 Gladiators – which are essentially stretched Wrangler pickups – are included in the campaign. The issue traces back to vehicles built between mid-2020 and late 2024.
Jeep says the problem can occur when the electrical connection isn’t fully seated or develops terminal-related issues. Investigators found that a loose connection can melt, creating conditions that could ignite surrounding materials. The automaker warns that a fire could occur within the vehicle or even affect nearby property.
Drivers may at least receive some warning before things get that far. Jeep says affected vehicles can experience a loss of power steering assistance or display a “Service Power Steering” message.
Jeep’s Known Since 2023
The investigation has been ongoing for quite some time. Stellantis first examined reports of fires linked to the power steering pump connection in 2023, then reopened the investigation in 2024 after receiving additional incidents. NHTSA also launched its own probe into engine compartment fires involving Wranglers and Gladiators.
As of May 18, Stellantis reported 72 field reports related to the issue, including 35 confirmed cases originating at the steering pump connection. The company also identified one potentially related injury, though it said it was not aware of any accidents connected to the defect.
US owners will be notified beginning in July, and dealers will inspect and repair or replace affected components as necessary. Until then, Jeep is recommending that vehicles be parked away from structures and other vehicles to be on the safe side.
If that advice sounds familiar, it’s because Jeep issued a remarkably similar warning last November for an entirely different reason. At the time, roughly 320,000 Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe plug-in hybrids were told to stay outside due to concerns that their battery packs could catch fire.
