Summary: Stellantis is recalling more than one million 2021–2026 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles after discovering that a power-steering pump wire can overheat and ignite. Until a fix is ready, the automaker is telling owners to park outdoors and away from structures, even though no remedy has yet been finalized.
What Stellantis announced
Stellantis, Jeep's parent company, has issued a voluntary recall covering over a million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles in the United States because of a fire risk traced to the power-steering system. According to coverage from Car and Driver, the issue centers on wiring connected to the electric power-steering pump that can overheat in service.
The most striking part of the announcement is the interim guidance. As MotorTrend reported, Jeep is advising affected owners to park outside and away from homes, garages, and other vehicles. That precaution exists because an overheating wire can lead to a fire whether the vehicle is being driven or sitting parked.
Which vehicles are affected
The recall spans roughly the 2021 through 2026 model years of the Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator, the two body-on-frame, solid-axle vehicles that share much of their architecture. Estimates of the exact count vary slightly across outlets, with some sources citing about 1.1 million vehicles and broader Stellantis figures reaching as high as 1.3 million when related populations are included. Owners who are unsure whether their vehicle is covered can check by entering their VIN at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall lookup or contacting a Jeep dealer.
Both nameplates are immensely popular, so the scope is large. The Wrangler remains Jeep's off-road icon, while the Gladiator is its pickup variant built on the same platform. Because the steering pump and its wiring are common across these trims, the recall sweeps in a wide range of configurations, including gas and 4xe plug-in hybrid Wranglers depending on build details.
The technical cause
At the heart of the recall is the electric power-steering pump's wiring. Reporting from Axios describes an overheating condition in that circuit that can trigger a fire. In practical terms, when electrical resistance or a fault causes a wire to carry more heat than it is designed to dissipate, insulation can degrade, and nearby materials can ignite.
Electrical fire risks are among the more serious defects an automaker can face, precisely because they are not always tied to driving. A wire that overheats while the ignition is off can smolder in a closed garage, which is why the "park outside" instruction is the standard cautionary step in cases like this. It buys time while engineers validate a permanent repair.
No remedy yet
One notable wrinkle in this recall is timing: Stellantis has acknowledged that a final fix is not yet available. That is not unusual. Manufacturers are legally required to notify regulators and owners promptly once a safety defect is identified, even before the corrective part or software update has been engineered, tested, and distributed to dealers.
For owners, the practical sequence is straightforward. Stellantis will send formal recall notices by mail. A second letter typically follows once the remedy is ready, instructing owners to schedule the free repair at a Jeep dealer. In the meantime, the safest course is to follow the parking guidance and to take any warning signs — a burning smell, smoke, or a steering-system warning light — seriously. Any dashboard alert tied to steering or electrical faults warrants prompt attention; our guide to reading Jeep dash lights explains how to interpret common warnings.
Ripple effects beyond owners
The size of the recall means it reaches well past individual buyers. Rental and tour operators that run Wrangler fleets are affected too. CNBC noted Stellantis's broader vehicle figure as the recall rippled outward, and tourism-heavy markets where open-top Wranglers are a staple of rental lots face particular disruption while a fix is pending.
What owners should do now
If you own a 2021–2026 Wrangler or Gladiator, the steps are simple. First, confirm whether your VIN is included using NHTSA's lookup tool or a dealer. Second, follow the parking guidance and keep the vehicle away from buildings and other cars until repaired. Third, watch for the official remedy notice and book the free service as soon as parts are available. Routine ownership tasks — from choosing the right coolant for a Jeep to off-road upgrades like differential lockers or a new exhaust system — can wait until the safety recall is resolved.
Recalls of this magnitude are unsettling, but the process is well established. The defect has been identified, regulators have been notified, and a repair is in development. For now, parking outside is a small inconvenience that meaningfully reduces the risk while Stellantis finalizes the fix.
