Three battery fire recalls, no permanent fix. Wrangler 4xe battery fire or power-loss issues may qualify for a California buyback. Free case review.
If you bought a Jeep Wrangler 4xe because you wanted the best of both worlds — capable off-road adventure and the fuel savings of a plug-in hybrid — you were sold a promise that has, for many owners, turned into a nightmare. Since 2023, Stellantis has issued three separate safety recalls for the exact same defect: battery cells inside your Wrangler's high-voltage pack that can spontaneously catch fire while the vehicle is parked, charging, or being driven. The third recall (NHTSA 25V-741, November 2025) covered 228,221 Wrangler 4xe vehicles model year 2021 through 2025 and came with an admission that still stings: there is no permanent fix. Owners were told to park outside, away from structures, and to stop charging their PHEV indefinitely. In other words, the car you paid a premium for is no longer safe to use as intended. On top of the fire issue, the Wrangler 4xe has been dogged by a separate but equally alarming pattern: sudden, complete loss of drive power while moving. Two recalls (22V-865 and 25V-710) and an NHTSA investigation have documented hundreds of these events, two accidents, and one injury. A bad over-the-air software update in October 2025 alone left 24,238 owners stranded. California's lemon law — the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — was written for exactly this situation. If your Wrangler 4xe has been in for the same problem more than once, or has spent a significant number of days at the dealer waiting for parts or repairs, you may be entitled to a buyback or replacement at Stellantis's expense.
The issues owners report most, ranked by severity — each one verified against a cited NHTSA source.
Battery spontaneously catches fire while parked, charging, or driving. Smoke or burning smell from engine/battery bay. Warning lights (HV battery). Vehicle may be destroyed; fire can spread to garage or adjacent vehicles.
Engine and electric motor cut out without warning while driving at highway or city speeds. Dashboard shows 'Service Hybrid Electric Vehicle System' warning. Vehicle rolls to a stop; cannot be restarted without tow. Some owners report 'Ready' indicator on but vehicle has no drive power.
Warning message 'Service Charging System' or 'Service Hybrid Electric Vehicle System' appears on cluster. Vehicle will not charge from Level 1 or Level 2 EVSE; charging session ends prematurely. Electric range unavailable or severely reduced. Turtle (limp-home) warning lamp may illuminate. Intermittent: message appears during cold starts or short drives, then clears.
Vehicle fails to enter 'Ready' mode at startup. Cluster displays 'Service Hybrid Electric Vehicle System' or turtle/limp warning. No propulsion available; vehicle must be towed. Issue may occur after overnight parking, cold weather, or following a charging session.
After an over-the-air infotainment update (Oct 10, 2025), vehicle loses all drive power suddenly while moving. Dashboard may show 'Ready' but no forward/reverse motion available. Warning instructs driver to shift to Park while vehicle is still moving. Vehicle cannot be restarted; requires flatbed tow to dealer.
A settled Margarian Law case on this exact model, published with the actual settlement math.
See every published case, with the settlement math shown →
Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome; results depend on the facts of each case.
Open any defect for the symptoms and why it matters for a California lemon-law claim. Each is tied to a cited NHTSA source.
Battery spontaneously catches fire while parked, charging, or driving. Smoke or burning smell from engine/battery bay. Warning lights (HV battery). Vehicle may be destroyed; fire can spread to garage or adjacent vehicles.
Flagship lemon-law issue. Three serial recalls (23V-787 → 24V-720 → 25V-741) with no durable fix constitutes repeated unsuccessful repair attempts under Cal. Civ. Code §1793.2(d). Owners told not to charge their PHEV indefinitely — a substantial impairment of use. Class action (D. Utah) active; arbitration motion denied June 12, 2025. Stellantis discontinued 4xe production rather than issue a fix.
BPCM software flash (initial remedy under 23V-787 / 24V-720 — proven ineffective for full population). Battery pack replacement where defect detected. Under 25V-741 (ongoing): park outside, do not charge; permanent remedy still in development as of recall issuance Nov 2025.
Engine and electric motor cut out without warning while driving at highway or city speeds. Dashboard shows 'Service Hybrid Electric Vehicle System' warning. Vehicle rolls to a stop; cannot be restarted without tow. Some owners report 'Ready' indicator on but vehicle has no drive power.
Recurring propulsion loss across 4+ model years and two separate recall campaigns signals a systemic safety defect. Each propulsion-loss event is a discrete nonconformity; multiple events or multiple shop visits for the same complaint count toward the 2-visit/safety-defect presumption under the Song-Beverly Act. NHTSA's 2024 inquiry confirmed the 22V-865 remedy was ineffective for a substantial portion of the fleet.
Vehicle control software update (~1 hr, 22V-865). Interim backend policy update deployed for 25V-710; permanent OTA fix in development.
Warning message 'Service Charging System' or 'Service Hybrid Electric Vehicle System' appears on cluster. Vehicle will not charge from Level 1 or Level 2 EVSE; charging session ends prematurely. Electric range unavailable or severely reduced. Turtle (limp-home) warning lamp may illuminate. Intermittent: message appears during cold starts or short drives, then clears.
Charging failure deprives the owner of the core PHEV value proposition (electric range, fuel savings). Multiple unsuccessful repair attempts for the same charging/HV-system symptom — often requiring hardware replacement after software fixes fail — support a Song-Beverly nonconformity claim. Extended repair downtime (parts backorders) may independently satisfy the 30-day presumption under Cal. Civ. Code §1793.2(b).
IDCM software flash (TSB 0804923). HCP/AHCP software update (TSB 0805622). In persistent cases: IDCM module replacement, charging harness replacement, or HV battery pack replacement. Extended dealer wait times due to parts shortage reported.
Vehicle fails to enter 'Ready' mode at startup. Cluster displays 'Service Hybrid Electric Vehicle System' or turtle/limp warning. No propulsion available; vehicle must be towed. Issue may occur after overnight parking, cold weather, or following a charging session.
No-start events that require towing are among the strongest lemon-law nonconformities. If recurring after an initial repair attempt, each subsequent no-start/tow event is a discrete repair opportunity. California's 2-visit safety presumption may apply if the no-start poses an injury risk (e.g., stranding on a freeway).
HCP/AHCP software flash (TSB 0805622). Coolant valve hose re-routing (TSBs S2208000203/S2208000205). Electronic coolant heater replacement. 12V battery replacement. HV battery pack replacement in persistent cases.
After an over-the-air infotainment update (Oct 10, 2025), vehicle loses all drive power suddenly while moving. Dashboard may show 'Ready' but no forward/reverse motion available. Warning instructs driver to shift to Park while vehicle is still moving. Vehicle cannot be restarted; requires flatbed tow to dealer.
Manufacturer-induced defect via OTA update. If vehicle was brought in for this issue within the lemon-law window and required dealer service, the repair visit counts toward the Song-Beverly attempt threshold. Propulsion cutout at speed is a clear safety hazard. Vehicles left inoperable for days pending dealer availability may contribute to 30-day count.
Interim: Stellantis pushed a backend policy update to prevent further HCP resets. Vehicles that were already inoperable required dealer visit and software reflash. Permanent OTA remedy in development at time of recall (25V-710, Oct 23, 2025).
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Battery packs — including those previously remedied under 23V-787 and 24V-720 — may still contain cells with separator damage capable of causing a fire. Prior software-only detection remedies have not fixed the underlying hardware defect. 19 confirmed fires and 1 injury documented across the 2020-2025 Wrangler 4xe fleet.
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An over-the-air Uconnect infotainment software update released October 10, 2025 disrupted communication between the Telematics Box Module (TBM) and the Hybrid Control Processor (HCP). Disrupted communication causes the HCP to reset unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion, resulting in sudden, complete loss of drive power.
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Battery packs may contain Samsung SDI cells with separator damage. FCA US determined the prior B9A (23V-787) software remedy is ineffective at detecting certain battery abnormalities that may lead to a fire. Risk is elevated when the battery is charged.
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2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe PHEVs may have a high-voltage battery pack that fails internally due to separator damage in cells manufactured Jan–Oct 2021. Internal failure can cause a fire even when the vehicle is parked.
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A software defect in the vehicle control module can cause the hybrid control system to fault and shut down the engine and electric motor while the vehicle is being driven. Sudden loss of propulsion at any speed, including highway speeds.
Every item below comes from this vehicle's documented defects. The more you recognize, the more a free case review is worth your time.
California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act — commonly called the lemon law — gives you specific rights when a manufacturer cannot fix a defect after a reasonable number of repair attempts. For safety defects like fire risk or sudden loss of drive power, California presumes two repair attempts may be enough. For non-safety defects, four attempts, or 30 or more days out of service (not necessarily continuous), can trigger the presumption. If your vehicle qualifies, you may be entitled to: a full repurchase (the amount you paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle of comparable value, or a negotiated cash settlement. Stellantis — not you — is responsible for your attorney fees if you prevail, which means many California lemon law cases cost the owner nothing out of pocket. The Wrangler 4xe's serial battery fire recalls (three campaigns, no durable remedy), its repeated propulsion-loss recalls, and the indefinite charging restriction may all support a claim. The above is general information only and is not legal advice; every case turns on its specific facts and dates.
“Could not duplicate” doesn't mean the defect isn't real. Here's exactly what to do to protect a potential California lemon-law claim.
Document the moment it happens. Photos, video, and screenshots of any warning lights — with the date and the mileage.
Get a repair order every visit — even “found nothing.” That paperwork is the foundation of a claim.
Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Note any recall that has no available remedy yet.
Track your out-of-service days. California law counts the cumulative days your vehicle spends in the shop.
Keep loaner & rental records. Alternate-transport paperwork during long repairs matters.
Save everything in one place. Symptoms, dates, repair orders, and every repeat visit — the intermittent ones especially.
Dealers frequently close repair orders with 'unable to duplicate' (UTD) or 'no trouble found' (NTF) — especially for intermittent warning lights and propulsion issues that clear on their own. Here is what to do if that happens to you: 1. Document everything before the visit. Write down the exact warning message, the date, time, mileage, weather conditions, and whether you had recently charged. Take photos of any warning lights on the cluster. 2. Request a printed copy of the Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) even if the dealer says the problem is gone. Stored or historical codes tell the real story. 3. Ask the dealer to check Technical Service Bulletins. For the Wrangler 4xe, TSBs S2208000067, 0805622, 0804923, S2208000154, S2308000117, and S2309000001 describe the exact symptoms many owners experience. If your dealer did not reference any of these TSBs, they may have missed the documented fix. 4. Keep every repair order (RO), even UTD ones. Under California law, a UTD visit still counts as a repair attempt. The paper trail matters. 5. If the fire-risk recall (25V-741) is open on your vehicle and the dealer has no remedy to offer, document that in writing. Leaving your car with an open, uncorrectable fire recall is itself an impairment of use.
Stellantis discontinued 4xe production rather than engineer a durable fix. A federal judge rejected the company's bid to force individual arbitration — meaning the class action can proceed. Three recalls. Nineteen documented fires. No permanent remedy. Owners told not to charge their plug-in hybrid. If your Wrangler 4xe has been back to the dealer for any of these issues, we would strongly encourage you to review your service records and speak with a California lemon law attorney before the clock on your warranty expires.
— The Margarian Law team
Have you taken your Wrangler 4xe in for battery warnings, charging problems, or a sudden loss of power? If your vehicle is covered by any of the three battery fire recalls — or if you have been stranded by the propulsion issues — your repair history may already qualify you for a buyback under California law. The consultation is free. Find out where you stand.
Likely yes, if you own a 2021-2025 Wrangler 4xe. NHTSA recall 25V-741 (issued November 2025, Chrysler internal recall 68C) covers 228,221 Wrangler 4xe vehicles from model years 2021 through 2025. It supersedes two earlier recalls — 23V-787 and 24V-720 — that covered a smaller group of 2021-2024 models. The recall exists because Samsung SDI battery cells inside the high-voltage pack have separator damage that can cause a fire while the vehicle is parked, charging, or being driven. At the time the recall was issued, no permanent repair was available. You can confirm your vehicle's recall status by entering your VIN at nhtsa.gov.
Yes. Sudden loss of drive power is covered by multiple Wrangler 4xe recalls. NHTSA 22V-865 covered roughly 62,909 vehicles (2021-2023) for a software defect that could shut down the engine and electric motor without warning, and was linked to two accidents and one injury. A separate recall, 25V-710 (October 2025), covered 24,238 vehicles (2023-2025) after a bad over-the-air Uconnect update in October 2025 caused the hybrid control processor to reset while the vehicle was in motion. If your vehicle stalled or lost all drive power and required a tow, document the date, mileage, and any warning messages that appeared, and bring the vehicle to your dealer. Multiple loss-of-power events — even after a prior repair — may support a California lemon law claim.
Yes. The superseding recall 25V-741 (November 2025) specifically includes vehicles that were previously repaired under 24V-720 and even 23V-787. The software-based remedy from those earlier recalls was found to be insufficient — fires continued in vehicles that had already been serviced. Stellantis acknowledged this when it issued the third recall. If you already had your vehicle repaired under a prior recall campaign, you still need a new remedy under 25V-741, and as of the recall's issuance date, that final remedy had not yet been determined. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov for the current open recall status.
Charging failures are one of the most common complaints from Wrangler 4xe owners. The causes vary — software bugs in the Integrated Dual Charging Module (IDCM), faults in the Hybrid Control Processor, a degraded 12V battery causing the HV system to shut down, or an actual high-voltage battery defect. Stellantis has issued at least four Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) for this cluster of symptoms: 0804923 (IDCM software fix), 0805622 (HCP/AHCP software update), S2208000067 (no-start / Service Hybrid message), and S2308000117 (charging overcurrent fault). Ask your dealer specifically whether these TSBs have been applied to your vehicle. If the problem continues after one or more dealer visits, or if parts are on backorder and the vehicle has been sitting for weeks, those visits count toward a potential lemon law claim.
It may. California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act presumes a vehicle is a lemon if the manufacturer has made two or more repair attempts for a safety-related defect (such as fire risk or sudden power loss), or four or more attempts for any other substantial defect, or if the vehicle has been out of service for 30 or more days cumulatively during the warranty period. For the Wrangler 4xe, the battery fire issue alone has triggered three recall campaigns. If your vehicle was brought in under two or more of those recall campaigns — or for repeated 'Service Hybrid' or propulsion-loss complaints — those shop visits count toward the threshold. Days spent waiting for backordered parts count toward the 30-day presumption too. The analysis is fact-specific, so gathering your repair orders and talking to a California lemon law attorney is the best first step. Attorney fees are paid by Stellantis if you prevail.
If recall 25V-741 is open on your vehicle, NHTSA and Stellantis have advised: park outside and away from structures (not in an attached garage), and do not plug in the vehicle to charge until a permanent remedy is available. Contact your dealer to schedule a service appointment and ask about the recall status. Keep a written record of when you contacted the dealer, what they told you, and any delays in providing a remedy. If the dealer has no fix to offer and months go by, document that. The inability to charge your PHEV — the feature you paid for — and the requirement to park outside indefinitely are both arguments for substantial impairment of use under California law. A lemon law attorney can help you evaluate your situation at no upfront cost to you.
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