Triggered by a wave of customer complaints and internal investigation findings, FCA US LLC issued a safety recall in November 2022 for over 62,000 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles.
The recall encompassed SUVs produced from model years 2021 to 2023 and specifically targeted those that rolled off the assembly line in Toledo, Michigan between September 2020 and August 2022.
The impetus for this action stemmed from reports of the vehicles experiencing unexpected engine shutdowns. These shutdowns, according to FCA, were potentially caused by the engine’s diagnostic system misinterpreting faults due to a communication loss.
In January 2023, Fiat Chrysler addressed a potential engine shutdown issue in certain 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models by issuing a software update. This fix targeted the hybrid control processor, auxiliary hybrid control processor, and transmission control module.
However, a new concern has emerged. As of July 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has received numerous complaints from owners of 2021-2024 Wrangler 4xe SUVs, alleging a loss of motive power.
Notably, these complaints include vehicles from the 2024 model year, which were not part of the original recall. According to the NHTSA’s failure report, the issue seems more prevalent in these previously excluded vehicles.
This situation suggests the need for a potential new recall encompassing a wider range of Wrangler 4xe models, likely impacting an estimated 94,275 vehicles from 2021 to 2024. There are reports of continued issues with the 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s plug-in hybrid system.
This comes after a previous recall in 2023 to address similar problems. The current situation likely stems from software calibration issues related to the Wrangler’s recent mid-cycle refresh.
While concerning, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is investigating the matter, and fortunately, no accidents or injuries have been linked to the reported loss of motive power.
On a brighter note, the affected vehicles were all produced at the Toledo North plant, which solely manufactures Wranglers.
Meanwhile, the Toledo South plant, responsible for Gladiator assembly, is currently undergoing retooling for a new model expected to be the 2025 Jeep Gladiator 4xe. This mirrors the Wrangler 4xe’s MY2024 powertrain update.
