More than a million Jeep owners just got a warning that has nothing to do with mileage or maintenance schedules: park your vehicle outside, away from your home, and don't wait for the mail to arrive first. Federal regulators have now confirmed 51 fires and one injury tied to a wiring defect that can ignite a Jeep even when it's parked with the engine completely off.
What's Actually Causing These Fires
The defect involves the electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring. Over time, the electrical connection at this pump can develop a loose or high-resistance connection, generating excessive heat that can ignite nearby combustible materials under the hood. Critically, this isn't limited to driving — the NHTSA's official consumer alert confirms the fire risk exists even when a vehicle is parked with the ignition switched off, which is exactly why the "park outside" instruction matters as much as it does.
Which Jeeps Are Covered
Stellantis, the parent company of Jeep, filed this recall on June 9, 2026, covering 1,076,999 vehicles in the United States:
- 2021–2025 Jeep Wrangler, including the Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrid — approximately 787,887 vehicles
- 2021–2025 Jeep Gladiator — approximately 289,112 vehicles
Vehicles built after December 2, 2024 are generally not included, since production changes addressed the wiring issue going forward.
This Recall Was Years in the Making
Stellantis actually began looking into Wrangler and Gladiator fires as early as 2023, but closed that internal review after concluding the incident rate was too low to act on. NHTSA disagreed, opening its own formal investigation in September 2024 after continuing fire reports. Throughout 2025, the company re-examined vehicle fires, inspected returned parts, and ran CT scans and X-rays on failed components before formally confirming the safety defect in May 2026 — nearly three years after the first fires were reported.
How to Check If Your Jeep Is Affected
- Find your 17-character VIN on your registration, insurance card, or the driver's side windshield corner.
- Enter it at NHTSA's official recall lookup tool under recall number 26V-363, or check directly at Mopar.com under recall 21D.
- Watch for a "service power steering" warning light or a loss of power steering assist, both of which can be early warning signs.
What to Do Right Now
If your Jeep falls within the affected model years, park it outside and away from your house, garage, other vehicles, and any structure until the repair is completed — this instruction applies immediately, regardless of when your individual notification letter arrives. If you notice a burning smell, smoke, or the power steering warning light, stop driving and contact a dealer immediately rather than waiting. This is nearly identical guidance to what BMW owners were told just days earlier in a separate fire-risk recall affecting BMW plug-in hybrids, and the overlap says something about how seriously regulators are treating parked-vehicle fire risk across the industry this year.
What Happens Next
Notification letters began mailing to owners on July 9, 2026. Dealers will inspect the wiring and repair or replace the harness or the pump itself at no cost. Stellantis has said it anticipates a repair being available no later than July 2026. Until you've received confirmation your specific vehicle has been repaired, the outdoor parking advisory remains in effect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still drive my Jeep if it's part of this recall?
NHTSA's guidance focuses primarily on where you park, not driving itself, though you should stop driving immediately and contact a dealer if you notice a burning smell, smoke, or a power steering warning.
Is the repair available yet?
As of this recall's timeline, Stellantis expected a remedy no later than July 2026. Contact your local dealer directly to confirm current parts and repair availability.
What if I already fixed a power steering issue on my Jeep?
Check your VIN regardless, since this recall covers a specific wiring defect that may differ from prior repairs, and confirmation requires checking your exact vehicle.
Is this recall free?
Yes. Federal law requires safety recall repairs at no cost to the owner, regardless of your vehicle's warranty status.
If you own a 2021–2025 Wrangler or Gladiator, don't wait for a letter to decide where you park tonight — the advisory applies the moment the recall was announced, not the moment your mail arrives.
