Jeep Wrangler Lawsuit Alleges 2021-2023 4xe Hybrids Can Catch Fire, Explode Due to Defect

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A new proposed class action lawsuit alleges 2021-2023 model year Jeep Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrids suffer from a troubling defect that can cause their propulsion system to catch fire and explode, even when a vehicle is parked with the ignition off. 

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The 114-page Jeep Wrangler lawsuit stresses that the apparent fire-and-explosion risk poses an unreasonable danger to drivers, passengers, pedestrians and property, particularly if a 4xe hybrid suddenly ignites while parked at a proposed class member’s home, on a public street, or in a public parking lot. 

The complaint was filed in Michigan federal court on March 4, 2024, nearly four months after automaker FCA US recalled roughly 45,000 of the hybrids nationwide following reports of eight having caught fire while parked and turned off. The suit says FCA failed to warn the public that the batteries found in the Wrangler plug-in hybrids were susceptible to fire—or that they would be unable to park or charge their vehicles indoors due to the battery fire risk. 

“A plug-in electric hybrid that cannot be parked at its home or operated in electric mode is not fit for its ordinary purpose,” the lawsuit asserts. 

According to the case, at least six of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe fire incidents have occurred while a vehicle was charging. The complaint states that although automaker FCA US contends that the cause of the fire-and-explosion problem is unknown, it “appears virtually certain” that the defect is linked to the hybrid vehicles’ Samsung-made, high-voltage lithium ion battery packs and related components used to propel the cars while in electric mode. 

Per the case, Samsung has had a history of issues with its high-voltage lithium ion batteries found in electric vehicles, problems the suit claims FCA has been aware of since at least 2020. Since then, Ford and BMW have recalled vehicles containing the Samsung EV batteries due to the risk of fire, and in 2022 Samsung itself pulled more than 1,000 of its batteries, including some found in FCA vehicles, due to “poor manufacturing quality,” the lawsuit shares. 

The proposed class action lawsuit says that although FCA has received reports of at least eight fires connected to the Wranglers’ hybrid propulsion system, it has yet to correct the problem. 

“Instead, with its first notification to Class Vehicle owners, FCA ‘advised [owners] to refrain from recharging these vehicles and not to park them inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed,’” the suit reads. “To be clear, there is no repair.” 

According to the filing, FCA has placed “an unfair burden” on drivers by failing to explain what constitutes a “safe” distance away from structures or other cars, or what they should do with their Wrangler hybrids if they have nowhere to park in the first place. Many consumers cannot realistically follow FCA’s safe-distance parking advice, either at home or at places they might want to drive, and drivers continue to make loan, lease and insurance payments on hybrid vehicles they cannot safely charge, the suit stresses. 

“Not being able to plug in and charge the Class Vehicles defeats the central purpose of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle,” the case reads. “Absent charging, the Class Vehicles must run exclusively on their gasoline engine, which eliminates the benefits of having a hybrid vehicle.” 

The case alleges FCA “knew or should have known” about the fire problem before 2021-2023 Wranglers hit the market and “certainly knew well before” it recalled the cars late last year. It was in a notification of a safety recall sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration last November that FCA admitted that the Wrangler hybrids at issue contained a high-voltage battery that “may fail internally,” leading to “a vehicle fire with the ignition off,” the suit relays. 

The lawsuit looks to cover all persons or entities who bought or leased one or more 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles. 

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