Major auto alert: Stellantis recalls 1.3 million Jeep SUVs due to fire risk. What Romanian drivers should do

A serious technical problem is troubling hundreds of thousands of owners of off-road vehicles around the world. The Stellantis automotive group has announced a massive recall campaign targeting more than 1.3 million Jeep SUVs and pickups. The manufacturer has also issued a highly unusual and urgent warning: owners are advised to park their cars exclusively outdoors, at a safe distance from buildings or other vehicles, until the defect is fixed.

The hidden danger under the hood: Targeted models

The recall campaign affects two of the brand's most popular and robust models: the Jeep Wrangler and the Jeep Gladiator pickup, manufactured between 2021 and 2025.

According to official documents filed with the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the danger stems from a faulty (loose) electrical connection located in the wiring harness of the electro-hydraulic power steering pump.

How the fire starts: A faulty electrical connection can create increased resistance, melting surrounding plastic components and overheating combustible materials in the engine compartment. The end result can be a violent fire.

The most alarming aspect, also highlighted by American authorities, is that the electrical system can overheat and catch fire even when the vehicle is parked, with the engine completely turned off and the ignition off. For this reason, parking in underground or residential garages is strictly contraindicated at this time.

The figures of a global crisis

Stellantis confirmed that it is aware of at least 72 fires that could be directly related to this manufacturing defect, and one case of minor injury has also been recorded.

The distribution of affected cars worldwide shows the scale of the problem:

• United States: ~1.08 million vehicles
• Canada: 106,000 vehicles
• Mexico: 23,000 vehicles
• Other international markets (including Europe): ~125,000 vehicles

Chronology of the investigation: from isolated cases to global alert

1. 2023 – early 2024: Stellantis notices the first fires, opens an internal investigation, but quickly closes it, considering the incidents far too rare.
2. August 2024: The number of cases explodes, forcing the company to reopen the investigation.
3. September 2024: NHTSA officially intervenes and begins an extensive investigation into 800,000 Jeep models from 2021-2023, gathering clear evidence of the danger in the engine compartment.

What is the situation in Romania?

The Jeep Wrangler and, to a lesser extent, the Jeep Gladiator, enjoy a solid fan base in Romania, being vehicles highly appreciated by off-road and nature enthusiasts. The units sold on the local market (both those through the official network and those imported from other European markets) are part of the batch of 125,000 cars destined for the rest of the world.

In the European Union and implicitly in Romania, the procedures in the case of such global recalls follow a strict protocol:

• Notification through Safety Gate (RAPEX System): The defect will be registered in the European Rapid Alert System for Dangerous Products.
• Involvement of local authorities: The National Authority for Consumer Protection (ANPC) and the Romanian Auto Registry (RAR) usually monitor these campaigns. The official Jeep importer in Romania is required to extract the chassis numbers (VIN) of cars sold locally from the database and contact the owners directly (by letter or email).

What should Romanian Jeep owners do?

If you own a Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator manufactured between 2021 and 2025, here are the safety steps you need to follow:

• Park outside as a precaution: Until the situation of your vehicle is clarified, avoid leaving your car in your home's garage or in closed underground parking lots.
• Check the VIN series: Contact the nearest authorized Jeep dealer or service center in Romania to check if your car's chassis series is included in the recall list.
• Wait for the technical solution: Stellantis announced that it is working urgently to ensure the stock of the necessary parts. The fix – which will consist of inspecting and replacing the wiring harness or power steering pump free of charge – is expected to be available in service networks by July at the latest.