Federal auto safety officials have warned owners of certain Jeep vehicles to avoid parking them inside garages or near buildings after identifying a defect that could ignite a fire even when the vehicle is switched off. The precaution accompanies a nationwide recall affecting 1,076,999 Jeep vehicles manufactured for the 2021 through 2025 model years.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall covers Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator models equipped with an electric hydraulic power steering system. Investigators determined that an electrical connection within the steering pump wiring may overheat, creating conditions that could ignite nearby combustible materials without warning. Until a repair becomes available, owners have been advised to leave the vehicles parked outdoors and away from structures.
The safety action follows an investigation launched after reports of vehicle fires were submitted to federal regulators. NHTSA said it has linked the suspected defect to 51 fire incidents and one injury. Those findings prompted FCA US to initiate the recall while engineers finalize a permanent repair strategy.
Vehicle owners will receive formal notification once the repair program is ready, with recall letters expected to begin mailing on July 9. Beginning June 11, affected vehicle identification numbers became searchable through the agency’s recall database, allowing owners to determine whether their vehicles are included in the campaign.
Motorists are encouraged to verify their vehicle status using NHTSA’s recall lookup service or by contacting FCA US directly. Regulators also recommend downloading the SaferCar mobile application, which provides automatic alerts whenever new safety recalls or repair campaigns are announced.
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
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