Jeep 4XE Model Recall

Jeep recently issued multiple safety recalls for various 4XE models and model years. The recalls cover nearly 200,000 Wrangler 4XE and Grand Cherokee 4XE vehicles. The recalls focus on issues with the windshield defrost and defog options, as well as problems that can result in a battery fire. 

Issues with the Jeep 4XE

Recent 4XE recalls cover two separate issues. One concerns the defrost and defog systems, while the other concerns battery fire risks. 

Faulty software lies at the bottom of the defrost/defog issues. These functions may fail to work properly, obscuring a driver’s vision and creating a dangerous situation for the driver and for others on the road. Defrost and defog tools that do not work also fail to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards. 

In November 2023, Stellantis issued a recall of over 32,000 Jeep Wrangler 4XE plug-in hybrid SUVs due to fire risk. 4XE vehicles in model years 2021 through 2024 are covered by the recall. 

Stellantis says it has received news about eight fires in parked 4XE vehicles. The affected vehicle was connected to a charger in six of the eight cases. 

Stellantis says that the affected 4XE vehicles can be driven but that they should be parked “away from structures and other vehicles” and that they should not be recharged until the recall repairs are complete. The company states that a free software update should fix the problem. 

What to Do If You Have an Affected 4XE

Visit the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) website. Enter your vehicle’s VIN to see which recalls affect your 4XE. Read the recall information – it will tell you who to contact and which repairs must be made to fix your vehicle. It will also give advice on what to do between now and when you can get your vehicle repaired. 

Following the automaker’s advice, however, is just a first step toward safety. For instance, although Stellantis claims the 4XE vehicles affected by fire risk can be driven, vehicle owners express skepticism. 

“4XE Recall should be considered NON-Driveable,” notes one 4XE owner on an online forum dedicated to the vehicles. The writer notes that the risk of fire or injury, combined with the difficulty of parking the vehicle away from structures in busy cityscapes or extreme weather, poses a significant risk to people and property. 

“It is also extremely challenging to find a place to park the car away from others when driving about town. How does one do that in busy parking lots and parking structures?” the writer asks. 

While the affected 4XE vehicles may still start and run, the risk of causing injury, death, or significant property damage if a fire occurs may cause some drivers to reconsider driving their 4XE until the software update is complete.  

4XE-Related Lawsuits

Some owners of Jeep Wrangler 4XE vehicles are filing lawsuits, arguing that the software update isn’t enough to fix the problem. The owners note that a design flaw in the electrified powertrain raises fire risk even when the software update is in place. They also note that the vehicle’s batteries, which are made by Samsung, are linked to an increased risk of fire even when the vehicle is powered down. 

The vehicle owners represented in the lawsuit also object to the time it took Stellantis to address the problem. “Despite the ongoing safety risk that the Fire Defect poses, [the automaker] has not yet corrected the problem and did nothing to warn owners and lessees until very recently,” the complaint states. 

“[The automaker] had actual and/or constructive knowledge of the Fire Defect but was slow to recall the class Vehicles and still has not provided an actual fix to correct the defect,” the complaint notes. This complaint may be the first of many against Stellantis as issues with the 4XE continue to unfold. 

Help With a Lemon Vehicle

If you need help with a Jeep 4XE or other defective vehicle, talk to an experienced California lemon law attorney today.

California’s lemon law contains some of the US’s most extensive protections for owners of defective vehicles. If your vehicle is a lemon, you can seek compensation from the automaker for:

• A refund or replacement of your vehicle, whichever you choose,
• Incidental and consequential damages, such as the cost of towing, alternative transportation, and other expenses directly related to your vehicle being undrivable and
• Attorney’s fees. 

To learn more about your options, talk to a lemon law attorney today. The team at Wirtz Law APC is here to help. 

Contact the Jeep 4XE Lemon Law Attorneys at Wirtz Law Today!

We have extensive experience pursuing lemon law claims involving the Jeep 4XE, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and other popular Jeep models and a track record of achieving positive outcomes. Contact us today so we can start working on your Jeep lemon law claim.

If you’re struggling with a problem vehicle, talk to the experienced San Diego lemon law team at Wirtz Law APC today. We will help you understand your options under California lemon law. Contact us today to schedule a free, no-obligation, confidential consultation. We proudly serve not only La Jolla residents but also California car owners across the state. We serve Southern, Central, and Northern California.