When most people picture a Jeep, they think of a bulletproof off-roading SUV conquering places like Johnson Valley, California, and Moab, Utah. But recalls seem to come for every vehicle eventually, and a new one affecting 2021–2025 JL Wranglers and JT Gladiators is big and notable: Owners of those vehicles are being advised to park their Jeep outside, as there is a chance they may catch fire even with the key out and the engine off.

Which Jeeps Are Affected?

This recall and notice hits every version of the JT and JL sold with every engine and transmission combination. From the 2.2-liter turbodiesel found in international markets to the Wrangler 392 and its Hemi V-8 here in the U.S., all are part of this recall. It also affects Wranglers and Gladiators in both left- and right-hand-drive configurations. Altogether, 1,076,999 Jeep owners are being told to park outside. But since the Gladiator sells just a bit slower than the Wrangler, the JL is taking the brunt of the advisory, with 787,887 vehicles affected.

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The good news is that any Jeep Gladiator or Wrangler with a production date after December 2, 2024, is deemed safe, as the defect was caught and corrected. Jeep Wranglers built before June 24, 2020, and Gladiators built before August 18, 2020, use a different part that did not have the defect.

It Catches Fire With the Engine Off?

What makes this unusual is that the recall and fire risk are related to the electrohydraulic power steering pump. This system is powered down when the key is in the off position, which one might think would be enough to prevent a fire.

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But the electrical connection between the wiring harness and the circuit board creates high resistance. That was due to the connector header of the circuit board being manufactured out of tolerance and being too loose. That looseness causes an increase in resistance that can generate enough heat to melt the connector and, because power steering fluid can catch fire when heated enough, lead to a catastrophic burning of your JT or JL.

Even if it’s turned off, there is still the potential for the plastic and metal to retain enough residual heat or for the plastic to be smoldering enough to cause the fluid to catch fire with the engine off and the key out of the ignition.

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