Some Jeeps Could Unexpectedly Lose Drive Power

Jeep manufacturer Stellantis says some Wranglers have a defect that could cause them to unexpectedly lose power on the road. 

The company is recalling more than 24,000 Jeep Wrangler 4XE Plug-In Hybrid Electric vehicles, Stellantis recently told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. According to public documents, a software bug is to blame.

“Some 2023-2025 MY Jeep Wrangler Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles ("PHEV") may have been updated with Firmware Over-The-Air ("FOTA") software which may cause incomplete communication between the Telematics Box Module ("TBM") and the Hybrid Control Processor ("HCP"),” Stellantis said. “Incomplete communication between the TBM and the HCP may cause the HCP to perform a reset.”

Here is why it matters: “An HCP which resets while driving may cause a loss of motive power which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning,” Stellantis said.

The company plans to notify Wrangler owners of the recall by the end of November. Stellantis is still developing a fix for the problem, it told NHTSA.

Legal Rights for Jeep Owners in California

This is not the only safety issue facing Jeep drivers. 

Stellantis recently warned some 320,000 Wrangler and Grand Cherokee owners to park their vehicles outside and stop charging them, citing fire risks. The company said the cars' battery packs are susceptible to damage, which could cause fires. It also said it does not yet have a solution for the problem.

Many of the called-back vehicles were included in an earlier recall related to the same defect last year. Stellantis told NHTSA it is aware of at least nine car fires related to the defect. 

These kinds of situations are all too common for Stellantis and other major auto manufacturers. They call back millions of vehicles every single year, often citing serious defects that increase the risks of accidents and injuries.

That is where the California lemon law comes in. Car owners in the Golden State do not have to wait around for recalls to get malfunctioning vehicles fixed.

The lemon law, known formally as the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, requires automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also forces the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they are unable to or simply decline to fix. 

The buyback requirement includes compensating the owner for any down payment on the car, as well as for monthly loan payments and the outstanding balance on any loan. The manufacturer is also responsible for towing, rental car, and other related expenses. 

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replace requirement kicks in. An experienced California lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Talk with a California Lemon Law Attorney

If you have been stuck with a defective or malfunctioning vehicle, a California lemon law attorney at Bickel Sannipoli APC can help you fight back.  

Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney.