Jeep Is Telling Over a Million Wrangler and Gladiator Owners to Park Outside — a Power-Steering Part Can Catch Fire

If you drive a Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator from the last several model years, there’s a recall you should act on this week. According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an electrical connector in the power-steering pump can overheat and cause a fire — and because it can happen even when the vehicle is parked and switched off, regulators are telling owners to park outside, away from homes and garages, until it’s repaired.

Stellantis’ FCA US unit is recalling about 1,076,999 Wranglers and Gladiators from the 2021 through 2025 model years — one of the largest U.S. vehicle recalls of the year so far. The repair is free. And beyond the recall, owners have already begun filing class action lawsuits claiming the company knew about the fire risk and didn’t tell them. Here’s what happened, how to check whether your vehicle is affected, and the free steps to take now.

What Was Recalled — and Why

The recall covers 1,076,999 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles from the 2021–2025 model years, including the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid. According to the recall, it breaks down to about 787,887 Wranglers (built June 24, 2020 through December 2, 2024) and about 289,112 Gladiators (built August 18, 2020 through December 2, 2024). It is NHTSA campaign number 26V363, tracked inside Stellantis as recall 21D, and it was announced on June 9, 2026.

The problem is in the wiring connector for the electric hydraulic power steering pump. According to the recall, the connector’s header was manufactured outside of the specified tolerances. That can require too much force to seat the wiring and can spread the connector’s terminals, leaving a loose, high-resistance connection. Over time, that resistance can generate enough heat to melt the connector and ignite the materials around it — and because the circuit can stay live, the overheating can happen even with the ignition in the “Off” position.

NHTSA says it is aware of 51 fires and one injury that are likely related to the condition. That is why regulators and the company are urging owners to park away from anything a fire could spread to while they wait for the fix.

It’s worth being clear about one thing: a recall is a safety action, not a court ruling or an admission that the company did anything wrong. Jeep is recalling the vehicles and will fix them for free. For most owners, the most important thing right now is following the park-outside guidance and watching for the notice to schedule the repair.

Why Can a Parked Jeep Catch Fire?

This is the part that surprises people: the vehicle doesn’t have to be running. According to the recall, the danger comes from a connection that carries current to the power-steering pump. When that connection is loose or corroded, electricity has to “push” through more resistance, and resistance turns into heat — the same way a frayed extension cord can get hot at a bad plug.

Enough heat, in the wrong spot, can melt the plastic connector and set nearby materials smoldering. Because the affected circuit can remain powered when the vehicle is off, the failure can begin hours after you’ve parked and walked away. A fire that starts in a closed garage or next to a house can spread before anyone sees it — which is exactly the kind of hazard regulators move on quickly. That’s the reasoning behind the “park outside” warning: it isn’t about how you drive, it’s about limiting what a fire could reach if it starts on its own.

Is There a Lawsuit?

Yes — and this is where the story goes beyond a routine recall. Alongside the recall, owners have started filing proposed class action lawsuits in federal court. According to those filings, plaintiffs allege that FCA US knew about the power-steering fire risk — from consumer complaints and communications with safety regulators — but did not disclose it to buyers at the time of sale or lease. One such case was filed in Michigan federal court, where Stellantis’ U.S. operations are based.

A few things are important to keep straight:

• These are allegations. A lawsuit reflects what one side claims. The company has not been found liable, and it has the right to contest the claims in court.
• A class action over a defect is different from a personal-injury claim. The class cases largely concern owners who bought or leased an affected Jeep — the argument being that the vehicle was worth less than what they paid because of a hidden fire risk. A claim for a burn injury or property damage from an actual fire is a separate, individual matter.
• The recall repair doesn’t require a lawyer. You get the free fix from a dealer regardless of whether you’re ever part of any lawsuit.

In plain terms: if you simply own a recalled Jeep, the recall is the main thing to act on. If a Jeep fire actually injured someone or damaged property, that’s the situation where it can make sense to look into your legal options separately.

How to Check If Your Jeep Is Affected

Only 2021–2025 Wranglers and Gladiators are covered by this recall. Here’s how to confirm:

• Look up your VIN. Enter your 17-character vehicle identification number at nhtsa.gov/recalls or on the Mopar owner portal.
• Recall numbers to reference: NHTSA campaign 26V363; Stellantis recall 21D.
• Watch your mail. Stellantis began mailing interim owner notification letters around July 9, 2026, and has said a second letter will follow once the repair is available. You don’t have to wait for the letter to take the safety steps.

How the Free Repair Works

Based on the recall, here’s the remedy:

• Dealer inspection. Technicians will inspect the power-steering pump connector and the parts around it.
• Repair or replacement. They will repair or replace the wiring harness and/or the electric hydraulic power steering pump as necessary — at no cost to you.
• Timing. Stellantis has said the complete remedy is expected to be available no later than July 2026, and that owners will get a second notice when they can schedule service.
• Keep your paperwork. Hold on to the repair order and any records, especially if you’ve noticed heat, smoke, or a burning smell, or if a fire has already occurred.

Until the repair is complete, keep parking the vehicle outside and away from structures, as regulators advise.

Who May Want to Check Their Options

Most people with a recalled Jeep should simply follow the safety steps and get the free repair when it’s available. You may want to look into your options if:

• A Wrangler or Gladiator caught fire and injured you or someone else;
• A fire damaged your vehicle, garage, home, or other property; and/or
• You had a close call — smoke, melted parts, or an under-hood fire — that led to a repair bill, an insurance claim, or a medical visit.

Gathering your records — photos of any damage, repair orders, your VIN, and notes on exactly what happened and when — will help a lawyer evaluate whether you may have a case. Checking is free and doesn’t commit you to anything.

What to Do Now

Here are the practical steps, in order:

• Park outside. Away from homes, garages, and other vehicles, until the repair is done.
• Check your VIN. At nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Mopar owner site — reference campaign 26V363 / recall 21D.
• Watch for the second notice from Stellantis, then schedule the free repair at a dealer.
• Save your records. Keep repair orders and photos, especially if there was a fire, smoke, or melted parts.
• Don’t wait too long to ask. If you were hurt or your property was damaged, every state has a deadline for taking legal action, and the clock can start sooner than people expect.

Checking your options is free, and a real person — not a chatbot — reviews every submission and reaches out only if you may have a case.

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