Stellantis expanded its high-voltage battery safety action for Jeep plug-in hybrids after federal regulators said an earlier software remedy did not stop every fire risk. NHTSA campaign 25V741 (Chrysler recall 68C) covers roughly 320,000 U.S. vehicles and carries a rare park outside instruction until a new repair is completed. If you drive a Wrangler 4xe or Grand Cherokee 4xe, treat the bulletin as a daily parking and charging rule—not a message you can file away because you already visited a dealer once.
What changed and why it matters on your driveway
The root concern is internal damage to battery separators inside certain Samsung SDI packs, which can lead to a fire while the SUV is parked or moving. Chrysler told NHTSA it traced fires to cells both inside and outside the population addressed by the prior campaign 24V-720 (internal recall ID 95B). Critically, the manufacturer reported fires in Wrangler and Grand Cherokee PHEVs that had already received the 95B software update, and concluded that update could not detect every abnormality that precedes thermal runaway. NHTSA’s consumer alert therefore applies even if your dashboard never showed a warning and even if a dealer performed the earlier fix.
Models and model years in the population
Only 4xe plug-in hybrid variants are affected—not every gasoline Wrangler or Grand Cherokee. The U.S. population includes:
- 2020–2025 Jeep Wrangler 4xe (about 228,000 units in the federal tally)
- 2022–2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe (about 92,000 units)
Gasoline, diesel, and non-PHEV trims are outside this specific recall, but a 4xe badge on the tailgate or a charge port on the front fender is the quick visual clue that you need to verify the VIN.
If you already completed recall 95B
Owners who received mail or a dealer repair for 24V-720 should not assume they are cleared. NHTSA states explicitly that 25V741 includes those vehicles and requires the new remedy when it becomes available. Keep your prior repair invoice, but follow the park-outside and no-charging instructions again until Chrysler performs the updated software—and a battery pack replacement if your VIN is flagged for one. The eventual fix, per the manufacturer’s filing, is a high-voltage battery software update with pack replacement as needed, at no charge to the owner.
Parking, charging, and where not to stop
Until your vehicle is repaired under 25V741, NHTSA and Chrysler align on three behaviors:
- Park outdoors, away from homes, garages, carports, and other vehicles whenever possible.
- Do not plug in to Level 1 or Level 2 charging; agency guidance notes fire risk is higher when the pack is charged than when it is depleted.
- Drive only as needed for essential trips; there is no “do not drive” order, but minimizing miles reduces exposure if a fault develops.
In attached garages, consider street or open-lot parking even when inconvenient, and tell household members not to sandwich the Jeep between other cars. Apartment and condo residents should coordinate with property management so the PHEV is not under a porte-cochere or stacked parking structure if an alternative exists.
Confirm your VIN before you rely on memory
Recall status is VIN-specific. Search your 17-character number at NHTSA.gov/recalls once campaigns are loaded for 25V741, and call Stellantis customer assistance at 800-853-1403 with recall code 68C if the website lags the mailer. Owner letters began reaching mailboxes in December 2025, with additional waves afterward; if you moved, update your address with Jeep and your state motor vehicle agency so you do not miss the remedy appointment window. Before you buy a used 4xe from a private seller, running the VIN through CarDiary’s VIN check alongside the federal lookup helps you spot open safety campaigns before money changes hands.
When the dealer remedy opens
Chrysler’s schedule calls for dealers to update high-voltage battery software and replace packs where required. Book the first available slot at an authorized Jeep retailer; mobile chargers at home should stay unplugged until the service advisor confirms the recall closure in writing. Ask whether a loaner or alternate transport is offered if your daily commute depends on electric range—you may need to run in hybrid mode on gasoline alone after the visit, but do not resume charging until the dealer documents completion of 68C.
Reporting smoke or heat
If you smell burning plastic, see smoke from the underbody, or notice unexpected heat near the battery area while parked, move away from the vehicle, call 911, and do not attempt to open the hood. You can also file a complaint with NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline or online portal; those reports feed the same defect investigation stream that produced 25V741 and help investigators see patterns by region and build date.
