More Than 300,000 Jeep Plug-In Hybrids Could Be A Fire Risk

"The vehicles at risk include the model years 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe and 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe, which can reportedly catch fire when parked or while driving, the NHTSA report said. The Wrangler 4xe accounts for 228,221 potentially affected units, whereas some 91,844 Grand Cherokee 4xes could also have the same problem. NHTSA advised owners to park the vehicles outdoors and away from structures until the recall is completed and the vehicles are fully serviced."

"Electric vehicle batteries have come a long way in terms of safety, with EV fires statistically lower than those in combustion-engine vehicles. But in rare cases when these fires do occur, they can be dangerous and hard to extinguish due to a phenomenon known as thermal runaway, in which lithium-ion cells burn uncontrollably without oxygen. The issue with the Jeep battery packs appears to be emanating from separator damage, NHTSA said."

Stellantis is recalling more than 300,000 plug-in hybrid Jeeps in the U.S. and Canada because of a potential fire risk tied to the high-voltage battery pack. Affected models include 2020-2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe (228,221 units) and 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (91,844 units). NHTSA advised owners to park outdoors, away from structures, and not to plug vehicles in until repairs are completed. The fire risk may be higher with a charged battery. The issue appears linked to separator damage inside lithium-ion cells, which can allow anode and cathode contact, causing short circuits, extreme heat and thermal runaway.

Read at insideevs.com