The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2026, that it has closed its preliminary evaluation into 1,076,999 Chrysler vehicles following reports of underhood fires. The investigation focused on incidents occurring while the vehicle’s ignition was turned off. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) US, a division of Stellantis, initiated a recall for approximately 1.07 million vehicles in the United States to address the risk.
The federal investigation was originally opened on Sept. 6, 2024, after the agency received nine complaints of spontaneous fires in 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models. Owners reported fires originating in the engine compartment while vehicles were parked and turned off. An internal investigation by Stellantis identified a wiring connection fault in the electric hydraulic power steering pump as the cause, stating it could cause combustible materials to overheat and ignite.
The recall covers select Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator models from the 2021 through 2025 model years. According to FCA US, the remedy involves inspecting the wiring harness and power steering pump and repairing or replacing them as necessary. The company stated it expects a remedy to be available no later than July. In the meantime, the manufacturer has advised owners to park their vehicles away from buildings and other automobiles.
The safety action affects approximately 1.07 million vehicle owners in the United States, along with 106,258 in Canada, 23,704 in Mexico, and 124,297 in other international markets. According to a class-action lawsuit, *Graves v. FCA US, LLC*, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan in November 2024, the alleged defect placed occupants and property at risk.
The resolution of the NHTSA probe follows the manufacturer's recall response. This action occurs alongside other industry safety trends; for instance, Ford issued 153 recalls in 2025, and previously recalled 1.39 million F-150 trucks. Stellantis is currently operating under a five-year strategic plan known as FaSTLAne 2030, which involves a €60 billion ($69.42 billion) investment intended to accelerate growth and profit. Owners of the affected Jeeps should await mail notifications regarding service appointments.