Jeep SUVs Investigated Over Reports They Can Catch Fire

U.S. auto safety regulators launched an investigation on Monday into reports that some Jeep SUV vehicles are prone to catching fire even after being turned off.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the agency has received nine complaints from owners reporting engine fires, with one incident leading to an injury. There are no reports of any deaths in the complaints. Most of the cases suggest that the fires originate on the passenger side of the engine compartment even with the ignition turned off.

“The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received 9 Vehicle Owner’s Questionnaire (VOQ) reports, 1 Death and Injury report, and multiple field reports alleging incidents of engine compartment fires in model year (MY) 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles,” NHTSA said in documents posted on Monday.

Though no official recall has been issued yet, the ODI is opening a Preliminary Evaluation (PE) investigation “to assess the cause, scope, and frequency of the alleged defect” as it involves over 781,000 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models produced between 2021 and 2023.

A fire occurring while the vehicle is off poses significant risks, including injury to people inside or near the vehicle and potential property damage, according to the NHTSA. The fires are said to be associated with the power steering pump’s electrical connectors, a problem Jeep’s parent company, Stellantis, has acknowledged as they are cooperating with the investigation.

Newsweek reached out to Stellantis and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via email for comment on Monday morning.

Stellantis told The Associated Press it was cooperating with the investigation.

Investigators had contacted Stellantis and were told of several other “thermal events” that started at a power steering pump electrical connector.

“The location of the pump connector is located at the passenger front side of the engine compartment, coinciding with the majority of fire reports known to ODI,” NHTSA said in documents.

Michael Brooks, the executive director of the nonprofit Center for Auto Safety, advises Jeep owners to park their vehicles outdoors as a precaution. “Given the risks of property damage, I wouldn’t recommend parking these Jeeps in a garage until this issue is fully resolved,” Brooks told The Associated Press.

Meanwhile, this comes after the Jeep brand brought in a new CEO in November as he hopes to regain market share and eventually sales.

Antonio Filosa took over as the chief executive for North America in November after a few years of lackluster sales for the brand.

In his previous role, Filosa was the Chief Operating Officer for Stellantis South America. Before that, he held positions in Italy, England and Brazil with Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.

“The brand is in transition; we need to gain market penetration and market share because it’s not where this brand deserves to be. And Jeep is also in a technological transition. Because it’s transitioning into electrification while it keeps freedom to choose for its consumer. And this transition is launching a new technology, in this case, BEV and a new nameplate, Jeep Avenger in Europe,” Filosa said at a media event in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press

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