Jeep has issued a recall for 42,887 Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles over a potential fire risk.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced that certain 2018-2021 Jeep Wrangler vehicles and 2020-2021 Jeep Gladiator vehicles with manual transmission and a V6 engine were part of the recall made on Jan. 28.
The issue stems from the clutch pressure plate, which transfers power from the engine to the transmission. In the recalled vehicles the clutch pressure plate could overheat and fracture, causing the transmission case to potentially crack and release heated debris, which could cause a fire.
When the problem occurs, drivers will most likely smell a burnt odor before the affected vehicle fails.
Jeep manufacturer Fiat Chrysler does not currently face legal action over the recalled vehicles, but Top Class Actions tracks recalls because they sometimes end in class action lawsuits.
The issue isn’t the result of a faulty part, a filing made by Jeep with the NHTSA alleges, it is a design issue that can be fixed with a software update intended to reduce the engine torque when the clutch’s temperature gets too high.
Fiat Chrysler stated it is aware of one accident but no injuries relating to this issue, according to the defect notice.
Chrysler will notify owners of the recalled vehicles, and dealers will add software to reduce engine torque capability, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 19, 2021. Owners may contact Chrysler US customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler US LLC’s number for this recall is Y01.
Owners who have any additional questions about the recall may contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
TCA reached out to Chrysler for comment on the defect and will update the story when we hear back.
In addition to the 42,887 vehicles that have been recalled in the United States, another 4,314 models have been recalled in Canada for the same issue.
In recent years Chryser and Jeep have been at the forefront of controversy, with many consumer complaining about faulty vehicles.
In July 2020, an oil consumption class action lawsuit claimed that the 2018 Jeep Compass consumed an excessive amount of oil.
In December 2020, a federal judge refused to throw out a class action lawsuit accusing the Fiat and Chrysler motor company of breaching a lifetime warranty it offered to consumers.
Are you the owner of a Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator and have experienced issues? Let us know in the comment section below.
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3 thoughts onJeep Recalls 43,000 Wrangler, Gladiator Vehicles Over Fire Risk
In October of 2023 my 2020 Jeep Gladiator’s clutch exploded while My wife and I were traveling on the highway at 80 mph. Luckily we escaped without injury but we were left without a vehicle my insurance paid off the Jeep but when I contacted Stalanis they send me a email stating pretty much get with your insurance. We also talked to numerous lawyers and they said if you or you wife were not injured then there’s nothing we can do for you. I would like more information on this class suit.
Due to the torque reduction software installed on the mandatory recal of 2021 gladiator, the vehicle cannot meet the same payload or towing ability that the vehicle initially advertised. This is false advertising. The vehicle with 500 lbs on an uphill cannot even meet the speed limit of soMe freeways in Canada with 120 kph speed limit. It has proven excessively dangerous to travel at full payload, you cannot pass safely o an uphill, and you cannot count on the lower gears to torque you out of any precarious traffic situations if they come up. With the new software the vehicle is completely de tuned and does not meet any of its advertised specs. How is this legal, knowing it also puts lives at risk??
My Wrangler did this twice after having both recalls performed. There is now a third recall in the works. Jeep refuses to fix it for me this time and expects me to pay 11 grand more for a faulty vehicle with 20000 miles on it that I have only been able to drive a grand total of ten days since owning it in September!!!