A high-voltage battery defect in some 2022-2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe models has prompted the car manufacturer to issue a recall for the popular plug-in hybrid off-roader.
The car manufacturer says that impacted models may have incorrect fasteners that secure the 200-amp fuse. It notes that the suspect period began on January 10, 2022, and ended on September 20, 2022, noting that the incorrect fasteners can cause high resistance in the 200 amp fuse interface, generating unwanted heat.
Jeep notes that excessive heat in the fuse interface may cause the fuse to fail, triggering a loss of motive power that could cause a crash. Owners of Wrangler 4xe models may be alerted to the problem with a malfunctioning indicator lamp, a change in drivability, and/or noise at the HV battery pack assembly.
Read: Jeep Wrangler 4xe Hybrid Accounted For 38% Of All Wrangler Sales Last Quarter
An investigation was first launched in February this year when the car manufacturer received a report of a fuse melting in the high-voltage battery of a 2022 Wrangler. It soon received a second report of the same issue. While Jeep is only aware of two field reports of the fuse melting and has not received any warranty claims, it has issued a voluntary safety recall for 2,564 Wrangler 4xe models in the United States.
Dealers and owners of impacted vehicles will be alerted to the recall on or around June 16, 2023. Dealers will inspect the HV battery fuse for the correct fasteners and if an incorrect fastener is found, the fuse assembly will be replaced. In the event of charring or discoloration being present on the bus bars, Jeep will replace the entire HV battery pack assembly. Those owners that have previously paid to have the defect fixed will be reimbursed.
The recall also includes 220 battery packs offered by Mopar that may have also been manufactured with a 200 amp fuse with an incorrect fastener.
