If your Jeep caught fire, you may be entitled to significant compensation. This electric vehicle fire lawsuit affects owners of jeep wrangler fire incidents nationwide.
The Jeep 4xe fire recall affects 154,032 vehicles after multiple fire incidents left owners with burned vehicles, property damage, and safety concerns.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe models from 2020-2024 contain defective Samsung batteries that can ignite even when parked and turned off.
Jeep Fire Victims Know Your Rights
Has your Jeep 4xe caught fire? You’re not alone. At least eight confirmed Jeep fire incidents have been reported. Recent jeep fire reports include:
- Fires in vehicles with low mileage (under 10,000 miles)
- Vehicles catching fire while plugged in overnight
- Fires starting in home garages, spreading to property
- Battery failures occurring within hours of charging
Fire victims may qualify for compensation beyond the recall repair, including full vehicle replacement, property damage claims, and additional damages.
Why Jeep 4xe Vehicles Are Catching Fire
These jeep on fire incidents represent a pattern of stellantis fire defects affecting thousands of owners.
On March 4, 2024, Jeep owners filed a 144-page class action complaint in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan.
In the lawsuit, consumers claim that although FCA / Stellantis states that the cause of the fire-and-explosion problem is unknown, it “appears virtually certain” that the defect is linked to the hybrid vehicles’ Samsung-made, high-voltage lithium-ion battery packs and related components used to propel the cars while in electric mode.
The battery defect has caused multiple jeep fires, with vehicles catching fire while parked in driveways and garages.
These automotive fire defects in hybrid car battery systems have led to multiple vehicle fire lawsuits.
The class action also alleges that Samsung has had a history of issues with its high-voltage lithium-ion batteries, which FCA has been aware of since at least 2020.
Ford and BMW have also recalled vehicles containing Samsung EV batteries due to the fire risk. In 2022, Samsung pulled over 1,000 of its batteries, including some found in FCA vehicles, due to “poor manufacturing quality.”
The class action further alleges FCA “knew or should have known” about the fire problem before the 2020-2024 Wrangler 4xes hit the market and “certainly knew well before” it recalled the cars late last year.
This recall represents the fourth time since 2015 that Jeep vehicles have been recalled for fire risks. The jeep fire recall follows a pattern of battery-related fires in electric and hybrid vehicles, particularly those using Samsung battery technology.
Fire incidents have been reported in:
- Home garages and driveways
- Public parking lots
- Charging stations
- Vehicles parked overnight
The fire defect affects both Jeep Wrangler 4xe and Grand Cherokee 4xe models. According to NHTSA Campaign Number 24V720000, the high-voltage battery ‘may fail internally’ causing fires whether the vehicle is running, parked, or charging.
What to Do If Your Jeep Caught Fire
Following reports that at least eight Jeep Wrangler 4xe fire incidents occurred while charging, parked, and turned off, if you experienced a Jeep fire:
Immediate steps:
- Document everything with photos and videos
- Contact your insurance company
- File a complaint with NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem
- Keep all repair receipts and towing costs
Legal rights: Fire victims may have claims separate from the class action lawsuit, including product liability claims for personal injury, property damage, and vehicle replacement.
Jeep Fire Recall Warns Owners Do Not Park Inside or Recharge
The Jeep 4xe fire risk is serious enough that there has been a nationwide recall of these Jeep vehicles. The cars might unexpectedly go up in flames, potentially causing injury to people outside the vehicle and property damage.
The lawsuit alleges this risk poses an unreasonable danger to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and property, particularly if a 4xe hybrid suddenly ignites while parked at an owner’s home, on a public street, or in a public parking lot.
In its first notification to Jeep 4xe owners, FCA:
“advised owners to refrain from recharging these vehicles and not to park them inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed,” according to the complaint filed in the class action lawsuit.
However, FCA has failed to explain what constitutes a “safe” distance away from structures or other cars or what drivers should do with their Wrangler hybrids if they have nowhere to park.
No Jeep Fire Repairs or Timeline for 4xe Owners
A plug-in electric hybrid that cannot be parked at its home or operated in electric mode is not fit for its ordinary purpose. Yet owners and lessees continue to make loan, lease, and insurance payments on hybrid vehicles that they cannot safely charge.
The class action lawsuit claims:
“Not being able to plug in and charge the Vehicles defeats the central purpose of a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle …. Absent charging, the Vehicles must run exclusively on their gasoline engine, which eliminates the benefits of having a hybrid vehicle.”
However, while FCA has “advised [owners] to refrain from recharging these vehicles and not to park them inside of buildings or structures, or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed,” the lawsuit claims, “to be clear, there is no repair.”
FCA has not given a timeline for when any fix will be available for Jeep 4xe owners.
Owners of recalled 4xe models should contact their local Jeep dealership to schedule a free repair once it is available. Any Jeep Wrangler owner who paid out of pocket to have the issue fixed can submit a receipt for the work done and get reimbursed.
Owners can also check if their vehicle is affected by entering their VIN number on NHTSA.gov/recalls.
Prior recalls for Jeep fire risks
This is not the first time Jeep vehicles have been recalled for fire risks. In fact, this is the fourth recall since 2015 to address similar safety defects.
If you have any questions or concerns about your Jeep Wrangler, you should contact your dealer or FCA as soon as possible.
If your Jeep has caught fire, you have important legal rights. For more information, get a free case review by an experienced lemon law attorney by filling out the form below.
The following legal options are available specifically for fire victims.
Legal Options for Jeep Fire Victims
Fire victims have multiple paths for compensation:
Product Liability Claims: For jeep fires caused by defective batteries, victims may recover:
- Full vehicle replacement value
- Property damage (garage, home, belongings)
- Rental car expenses
- Medical bills for smoke inhalation or injuries
- Pain and suffering damages
Lemon Law Claims: California and other states require manufacturers to buy back defective vehicles that cannot be repaired after reasonable attempts.
Insurance Claims: Work with experienced attorneys to maximize insurance settlements and pursue subrogation against Stellantis.
Class action settlements may provide additional compensation for all affected owners, even those without fire damage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Jeep 4xe fires have been reported?
At least eight confirmed fires, with potentially more unreported incidents.
What should I do immediately after a jeep fire?
Document everything, contact insurance, file NHTSA complaint, preserve evidence.
Can I still drive my recalled Jeep 4xe?
Stellantis warns against parking indoors or charging until repairs are completed.
Will Stellantis buy back my fire damaged Jeep?
Fire victims may qualify for full buybacks under lemon law protections.
Class Action Lawsuit for All Affected Owners
While fire victims may pursue individual claims, all affected owners can also participate in the ongoing class action lawsuit against automaker FCA US LLC or Stellantis. FCA has been accused in a class action lawsuit of covering up a major safety defect that could cause the Jeep 4xe’s propulsion system to catch fire and explode.
FCA initially recalled approximately 45,000 Jeep 4xe vehicles in November 2023, later expanding to 154,032 vehicles.
In the Jeep 4xe fire recall sent to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, FCA admitted that the Jeep 4xe Wrangler hybrids contained a high-voltage battery that “may fail internally,” leading to “a vehicle fire with the ignition off.”
Free Consultation for Jeep Fire Victims
If your Jeep 4xe caught fire, burned, or caused property damage, you may be entitled to compensation. Fire victims often have stronger claims than general recall participants.
Contact us for a free case review if you experienced:
- A jeep fire while parked or charging
- Property damage from a vehicle fire
- Safety concerns or near-miss incidents
- Total vehicle loss due to fire
Don’t wait. Fire damage claims have strict time limits. Contact automotive fire attorneys immediately if your jeep caught fire.
✓ No fees unless we win your case
✓ Confidential consultation
✓ Available 24/7 for fire emergencies
