More than 1.07 million Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators can catch fire even while parked. The engine doesn’t even need to be running. Stellantis filed the recall with federal safety regulators, and it’s not a minor glitch. It’s the kind of recall that makes owners park in the driveway instead of the garage. If you own one of these Jeeps, or you’re shopping for one, here’s what actually matters.
What triggered the Wrangler and Gladiator recall?
The problem traces back to the electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring. That wiring can develop a bad electrical connection. The connection overheats nearby materials and sparks a fire. Stellantis says this can happen even with the ignition switched off. That’s why the fix isn’t optional or cosmetic—it’s a genuine safety issue.
The recall covers model year 2021-2025 Wranglers and Gladiators. That splits into roughly 787,887 Wranglers and 289,112 Gladiators in the U.S. alone. NHTSA says it’s aware of 51 fires and one injury tied to the defect. The agency’s own investigation started in September 2024. That probe helped push Stellantis to widen the recall. The automaker’s earlier internal review back in 2023 had found the incident rate too low to act on.
Is my Jeep actually affected?
If you own a 2021-2025 Wrangler or Gladiator, assume yes until you confirm otherwise. NHTSA’s VIN lookup tool covers this campaign. You can also call the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline directly to check.
- Affected models: 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator
- U.S. units affected: 1,076,999
- NHTSA campaign number: 26V363000
- Known fires: 51, plus one reported injury
- Interim advice: park outside, away from structures and other vehicles
Owners started receiving notification letters by mail beginning July 9. That first letter is essentially a warning. Stellantis calls this an “advance notice recall.” That means the company flagged the danger before it had a finished repair ready. A second letter will follow once dealers can actually schedule the fix. The repair involves inspecting, and if needed, replacing the wiring harness or the power steering pump itself. Watch for a “service power steering” warning light. A sudden loss of steering assist is another early warning sign.
Should you still buy a Wrangler or Gladiator right now?
Yes, but only if you treat the recall seriously. Get it inspected the moment a remedy is available. This is a real fire risk affecting over a million vehicles. But Jeep itself estimates only about 0.1% of them actually have the defect. And the fix is free.
That 0.1% figure matters. It means the vast majority of these Jeeps are fine mechanically. The recall exists because Stellantis can’t tell which specific vehicles have the bad wiring connection without inspecting them. Compare that to a recall where every unit needs a part replaced. This one looks more like an abundance-of-caution measure than proof the whole lineup is a fire trap.
If you’re shopping used, don’t let this scare you off a good deal. Just confirm the VIN is either unaffected or already repaired before you sign anything. If you’re eyeing a new 2026 model, you’re in the clear. This recall only touches 2021-2025 model years. The 2026 lineup starts around $34,895 to $36,035 for the base Sport trim, per Edmunds’ recall coverage.
How does this compare to other recent Jeep recalls?
Stellantis has had a rough stretch of recalls lately. This isn’t an isolated incident. Jeep’s parent company has been through multiple safety campaigns across its lineup in the past year alone.
| Recall | Vehicles Affected | Issue |
|---|---|---|
| Wrangler/Gladiator (2026) | 1,076,999 | Power steering wiring fire risk |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee | 328,000 | Third fix attempt on same issue |
| Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid (2024) | 194,000+ | Battery fire risk, ignition off |
That pattern is part of why we’ve been tracking the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s third recall attempt so closely. Repeat campaigns on the same components suggest Stellantis’ quality control still has gaps to close. It’s worth keeping that in mind if you’re deciding between a gas Wrangler and something like the electric Jeep Recon. The Recon uses a completely different drivetrain and steering setup.
What should current owners do right now?
Park outside and away from your house or garage until the repair is done. That’s not a suggestion—it’s NHTSA’s official guidance. Don’t wait for the second notification letter to start being cautious.
Call Stellantis customer care at 1-800-853-1403 or check recalls.mopar.com. Confirm your vehicle’s status and repair timeline now. It’s also a smart time to pick up a basic diagnostic tool. A cheap OBD2 scanner can help you spot early warning codes between now and your dealer appointment.
FAQ
How do I know if my Jeep is part of the recall?
Enter your VIN into NHTSA’s recall lookup tool at nhtsa.gov. You can also call the agency’s Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236. Or call Stellantis customer care directly at 1-800-853-1403.
Is the repair free?
Yes. Federal law requires manufacturers to fix safety recalls at no cost to the owner. Stellantis has confirmed the wiring harness and pump inspection or replacement will be free at any Jeep dealer.
Can I still drive my Wrangler while waiting for the fix?
Stellantis hasn’t told owners to stop driving. The guidance is to park outside and away from structures when the vehicle is parked. If you notice a loss of power steering assist or a warning light, call your dealer sooner rather than later.
Does this recall affect the 2026 Wrangler?
No. The recall is limited strictly to 2021-2025 model year Wranglers and Gladiators. The current 2026 lineup is not included in this campaign.