Dive Brief:
- Stellantis’ North American subsidiary FCA US has recalled nearly 1.1 million Jeep Wranglers and Gladiator pickups due to electric power steering pump wiring that may overheat, potentially causing a fire, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- The recall involves certain 2021-2025 Wrangler and Gladiator models produced at various times between June 2020 and December 2024. Just 0.1% of the recall population is estimated to have the defect.
- Dealers will inspect affected parts and repair or replace them as necessary, free of charge. However, due to the risk of fire, owners are advised to park their vehicles outside until the remedy can be performed. The company plans to send owner notification letters beginning July 9.
Dive Insight:
Affected Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles have electric-hydraulic power steering pumps that draw power from the vehicle’s electrical systems. The electrical connector to the pump may develop high resistance, potentially leading to overheating of combustible materials, even when the ignition is off, increasing the risk of injury.
Some owners may experience a loss of power steering assist or receive a “service power steering” warning message on the dash that’s related to the condition.
FCA US has been aware of the potential problem since 2023. Between May 2023 and April 2024, the automaker’s Technical Safety and Regulatory Compliance team investigated fires that originated at the electrical connection of electric hydraulic power steering pumps on some Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. But the team closed the investigation after concluding that the low occurrence rate did not merit a safety risk.
However, in August 2024, the TSRC team reopened the investigation after a documented increase in vehicle fires originating at the power steering pump electrical connection in Jeep models.
On Sept. 6, 2024, the NHTSA’s Office of Defect Investigations opened an investigation into engine compartment fires in model year 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles after the agency received nine Vehicle Owner's Questionnaire reports, one death and injury report and multiple other reports alleging engine compartment fires. A majority of these occurred when the vehicles were off, according to the recall report.
FCA’s TSRC team continued its internal investigation between September 2024 and March 2025, working to analyze incident trends and gather information requested by NHTSA.
As part of its own investigation, the NHTSA filed an information request on March 12, 2025, which FCA US responded to on May 9, 2025.
Between April and May 2025, FCA investigators determined that the power steering pump header had not been manufactured according to specifications, causing the electrical connector to require more force than intended when plugged in, which could damage the terminals and cause higher resistance within the circuit.
The defect could prevent the connector from fully seating, resulting in a poor electrical connection and increased electrical resistance, according to the recall report. In addition, the TSRC team learned that a terminal inside the connector could get pushed out of position, also leading to higher electrical resistance.
The electric power steering pump was manufactured by Michigan-based supplier Dare Auto Inc.
Between April 2025 and March of this year, the TSRC team continued to investigate the issue to determine the root cause, which included analyzing vehicle buybacks, returned parts, vehicle design and performance, as well as CT scans and X-rays. In related bench testing conducted between June and December 2025, FCA’s team also attempted to duplicate the failure mode, but was unsuccessful.
In November 2025, FCA met with the NHTSA to review information from its investigation. The automaker provided supplemental information to the agency that month and again on May 4, 2026.
In April 2026, FCA concluded that a loose electrical connection to the power steering pump header would melt the connector, potentially leading to a fire. On May 28, FCA’s Vehicle Regulations Committee determined that a safety condition existed and approved the recall.
As of May 18, FCA was aware of 63 customer assistance records, 72 field reports, one injury and 12 other service records potentially related to the issue in all markets, but no accidents. The first report was received on July 13, 2019.
In a June 9 press release announcing the urgent park outside warning for the Jeep models, the NHTSA said it was aware of 51 fires and one injury likely related to the issue.
