Image Credit: Stellantis.Stellantis has issued a massive safety recall affecting more than one million Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators across the United States. The recall covers 2021 through 2025 model-year vehicles equipped with an electric-hydraulic power steering system that may pose a fire risk.Owners are being told to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until repairs are completed. That warning alone gives an idea of how seriously both Stellantis and federal safety regulators are treating the issue.According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problem centers around the electric-hydraulic power steering pump wiring. A faulty electrical connection inside the system can create excessive resistance, potentially generating enough heat to ignite nearby materials under the hood.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe recall affects 787,887 Jeep Wranglers and 289,112 Jeep Gladiators in the United States alone. Additional vehicles in Canada, Mexico, and other international markets are also included, pushing the global total well beyond 1.2 million units.The Problem Comes From An Electrical ConnectorPhoto Courtesy: Autorepublika.The issue specifically involves the electric-hydraulic power steering pump, commonly referred to as the EHPSP. According to the recall report, an electrical connection inside the system can degrade over time and create dangerous heat buildup.When resistance increases at the connector, temperatures can rise high enough to damage wiring insulation and potentially ignite surrounding components. Stellantis says this can eventually lead to an under-hood fire, even while the vehicle is parked.Federal investigators believe moisture intrusion and corrosion may contribute to the failure. That possibility is especially concerning for Wranglers and Gladiators, since both are frequently exposed to mud, water crossings, off-road environments, and harsh weather conditions.Owners Are Being Told To Park OutsideAs part of the recall notice, Stellantis is advising owners not to park affected vehicles inside garages or near buildings until repairs are completed. That recommendation applies even if the vehicle has not shown any warning signs.AdvertisementAdvertisementSome owners may notice a "Service Power Steering" message appear on the dashboard before a failure occurs. Loss of power steering assistance may also happen in some cases prior to overheating.According to the recall documents, Stellantis is aware of at least 72 field reports potentially related to the issue. Of those, 35 were confirmed to involve the power steering pump connection.The automaker also acknowledged one injury potentially connected to the defect. However, Stellantis says it is not currently aware of any crashes related to the issue.Modified Jeeps Could Face Additional RisksImage Credit: Stellantis.The recall has drawn extra attention because Wranglers and Gladiators are among the most heavily modified vehicles on the road. Many owners install aftermarket lighting, winches, air compressors, auxiliary batteries, and additional electrical accessories under the hood.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile Stellantis has not directly linked aftermarket modifications to the recall, added electrical loads could potentially increase stress on already vulnerable wiring connections. Excessive current flowing through a deteriorating connector can generate even more heat.Owners of heavily modified Jeeps are encouraged to visually inspect their engine bays for signs of melted plastic, brittle wiring insulation, or discoloration around electrical connectors. Burning plastic smells or intermittent electrical issues should also be treated seriously.Dealers Still Don't Have A Full Repair ReadyAt the moment, Stellantis has not finalized the complete repair procedure. Dealers are expected to inspect affected vehicles and either repair or replace damaged components as necessary once parts and service instructions become available.The automaker says dealers will begin receiving official recall information around June 11. Vehicle owners are expected to start receiving mailed notifications beginning July 9.AdvertisementAdvertisementStellantis estimates that only about 0.1 percent of recalled vehicles may actually experience the defect. Even so, the sheer size of the recall makes it one of the largest Jeep safety campaigns in recent years.Owners can check whether their vehicle is included by entering their VIN through the NHTSA recall database or Jeep's official recall lookup tool.Another Recall For Jeep's Most Popular ModelsImage Credit: Stellantis.Unfortunately for Jeep, this is far from the first major recall involving the Wrangler and Gladiator lineup. In recent years, both models have faced recalls involving clutch failures, steering components, and plug-in hybrid battery concerns.The Wrangler 4xe in particular has been involved in multiple high-profile safety campaigns tied to potential fire risks. Some owners were previously instructed to avoid charging their vehicles or parking indoors until fixes became available.AdvertisementAdvertisementDespite the recurring recall headlines, the Wrangler and Gladiator remain two of Jeep's most important products. Their strong sales and loyal enthusiast following continue making them central to the brand's identity.Still, telling more than one million owners to park outside is never the kind of publicity any automaker wants. For Jeep owners, the safest move right now is simple: check the VIN, follow the parking guidance, and wait for the official repair instructions to arrive.If you want more stories like this, follow Guessing Headlights on Yahoo so you don't miss what's coming next.
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