Jeep Wranglers And Gladiators Keep Catching Fire

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Fires starting in the engine compartment of certain 2021 to 2023 Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators has spurred the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to launch an investigation. So far there have been nine such fires, one resulting in an injury, with most happening when the engine is shut off and the vehicle is sitting parked.

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So far, NHTSA suspects the power steering pump electrical connector might be at fault for the blazes, says CBT News. That’s on the passenger side of the engine compartment and could theoretically spark when the Jeep is shut off.

Some instances have involved the Wrangler or Gladiator catching fire while it’s being driven down the road. Seeing smoke or even worse fire coming out from under your vehicle’s hood as you’re driving would be a scary situation.

At least one Jeep caught fire after it had sat unused for a couple of weeks. Blazes like that can catch whole buildings on fire, which is even scarier. So far there isn’t a park outside order for Wranglers and Gladiators, but we bet some owners are already considering doing just that.

While many people worry about electric cars suddenly catching fire, this situation just goes to show it can happen with a traditional vehicle. With all the onboard electronics and electrical connections in modern rides, the likelihood in some ways increases.

But we’ve seen fires sparked by a leaky power steering pump or similar issues, so it’s not like analog cars are free from any risk. With EVs the fires burn far hotter, something which legitimately concerns us and others.

Stellantis, which owns the Jeep brand, is reportedly cooperating with NHTSA’s investigation. Only in rare circumstances do automakers not work with regulators on investigations. Depending on the results, NHTSA might request that the company issue a recall of all the affected vehicles.

Image via Stellantis

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