Over 1 Million Jeep Wranglers And Gladiators At Risk of Fire, Owners Warned To Park Outside

Jeep is recalling 1.1 million Wrangler and Gladiator models from 2021 through 2025 due to a fire risk linked to a faulty electrical connection in the electric hydraulic power steering pump (EHPSP). The NHTSA recall (26V363) identifies high resistance in the connector as the cause, which can generate excessive heat and potentially ignite combustible materials, posing a threat to occupants and bystanders. The recall covers 787,887 Wranglers and 289,112 Gladiators, including gas, diesel, and plug-in hybrid models like the 4xe. Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis, first detected the issue in May 2023 after investigating fires tied to the connector between May 2023 and April 2024, but the investigation was closed due to low frequency. It was reopened in late 2024 after further NHTSA scrutiny, with Stellantis confirming the manufacturing defect in early 2025. Owners may experience warnings like loss of power steering assist or a Service Power Steering alert before the issue escalates. Jeep advises affected owners to park vehicles outside and away from structures or other vehicles until repairs are completed. Dealers will inspect the connectors and replace or repair them if necessary. As of May 2026, Stellantis has documented 63 customer assistance records and 72 field reports, with 35 confirmed to originate from the connector, though no crashes have been linked to the defect. Recall notifications will be sent to owners in July, but owners can check the NHTSA’s recall database starting June 11 to confirm if their vehicle is affected. The recall underscores the importance of addressing electrical faults before they pose serious safety hazards.