Quick Facts:
- Story: NHTSA closed its Jeep fire probe on September 29, 2026.
- Probe: Preliminary Evaluation PE24024, opened September 6, 2024.
- Recall still open: NHTSA recall 26V363, tracked by Jeep as 21D.
- Vehicles: 1,076,999 total, with 787,887 Wranglers and 289,112 Gladiators from model years 2021 to 2025.
- Defect: High resistance in the electrical connection at the power steering pump.
- NHTSA advice: Park outside until your vehicle is repaired.
- Repair: Free at Jeep dealers. Technicians inspect, then repair or replace parts as needed.
- Reported fires: 51 fires and one injury, per NHTSA in June.
 5 min read
In This Article
Jeep Fire Probe Closed: What Owners Need to Know
NHTSA closed its Jeep fire probe on September 29, 2026. Stellantis recalled 1,076,999 Wranglers and Gladiators in June, and the agency says the recall covers the problem it studied. However, a closed file does not repair a single vehicle. Because the recall remains open, NHTSA still advises owners to park outside until a dealer completes the work.
I have owned five Jeeps, including a couple of Wranglers and a Gladiator, and I have a lot of love for the brand. For this reason, I want every owner to treat an open fire recall seriously.
Below, we cover what the closure changes and how to confirm your vehicle. We also dug deep into the Jeep owner forums to see how the repair goes.
Every Jeep owner should carry a mounted extinguisher, whatever the recall status. Three UL-listed ABC options suit a Wrangler or Gladiator cabin. The Kidde Pro 110 holds 2.5 lb, as does the Amerex B417T. For more capacity, the Amerex B402 holds 5 lb. Mount whichever size fits within reach of the driver’s seat.
Vehicle fire extinguishers for a Wrangler or Gladiator
What the Jeep Fire Probe Closure Means
NHTSA opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24024 on September 6, 2024, after reports of fires in parked Wranglers and Gladiators. The agency studied about 781,500 vehicles. According to Reuters via The Detroit News, several of the reported fires appeared to start near the power steering pump.
Since then, the recall grew well past the original probe. It now covers about 38 percent more vehicles than NHTSA first studied, including every 2021 to 2025 Wrangler and Gladiator built through December 2, 2024.
NHTSA closed the file because the recall addresses the vehicles and conditions it examined. The agency will keep monitoring vehicles in the field and is free to take further action if warranted.
A closed probe does not always mean a recall. For example, NHTSA closed an earlier Wrangler probe in 2023 without a recall. This time is different, because a recall backs the closure.
Why the Recall Stays Open and You Still Park Outside
Recall 26V363 remains active until each vehicle is repaired, and our full recall breakdown lists the models and dates. In June, NHTSA said fire risk exists even when the ignition is off. The agency also reported 51 fires and one injury.
Stellantis found the pump header was built outside tolerances, making the connector hard to seat fully. In some vehicles, terminals spread, resistance rises, and heat builds near combustible material. Stellantis estimates about 0.1 percent of the vehicles carry the defect, yet every one needs the check.
Owners on the forums admit the outdoor rule is hard to follow. Some resist parking outside, and others park inside anyway. The fastest way out of the dilemma is the repair itself, and the steps are short.
How to Run a VIN Check and Book the Repair
First, enter your 17-character VIN at the NHTSA recall lookup. Next, call FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403 and cite recall number 21D.
Then, book a dealer visit. Stellantis lists the repair as free, and dealers inspect the pump wiring before they repair or replace anything. Some recall repairs lag, so book early and keep the paperwork. Our look at how long recall fixes take shows why.
What Jeep Owners Say the Repair Looks Like
Mopar now says the remedy is available. Owners describe an inspection more than a repair. The technician scans for a stored code, then checks whether the pump connector is fully seated, the latch is closed, and no wire has pushed out.
Most owners report the Jeep passes with nothing replaced. The visit usually runs about an hour door to door, although some owners waited longer. If a Jeep fails, the dealer orders parts, and owners report waits of several weeks with no guaranteed loaner.
Dealer readiness is uneven. Some owners heard “no parts, no inspection” through the summer, and one owner says a dealer skipped the code scan. In the forums we reached, we found no report of a fire after a completed inspection. Even so, forum posts are anecdotes, not statistics.
What This Means for You
If your VIN shows an open recall, book the visit now. Until then, keep the Jeep outdoors and away from buildings and other vehicles, as NHTSA asks. Also, keep a fire extinguisher handy, and our extinguisher guide shows where to mount one.
If you shop for a used 2021 to 2025 Wrangler or Gladiator, run the VIN check before you sign. Ask the seller for the repair paperwork. A completed recall protects you and documents the repair.
Do not wait for a notice letter. Stellantis scheduled owner letters from July 9 through August 3, and a letter still gets lost. Check the VIN yourself today, and save a screenshot of the result.
Some owners still wait on parts or a dealer slot. Extra protection helps while you wait for the repair, but nothing here replaces NHTSA’s advice to keep the Jeep outdoors. A hardwired Kidde Heat Detector, model HD135F, watches a garage for rising heat. Install it with an electrician’s help. Next to it, the First Alert GARAGE10 covers flammable liquid and electrical fires. For wood and paper fires, the First Alert HOME2PRO adds coverage.
Garage fire safety gear while you wait for the repair
Final Thoughts
The Jeep fire probe closing is good news, though of a limited kind. NHTSA reviewed two years of fire reports, and the recall now answers them. Your Jeep is only confirmed once a dealer has looked at it.
For most owners, the fix is a short visit. The remedy exists, dealers are performing it, and owners report most inspections pass. A few dealers still struggle, so persistence matters.
I have a lot of love for Jeep, and the brand earns owner loyalty by fixing problems fast. Owners deserve a straight answer and a quick repair. If your dealer stalls, call FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403 and keep asking.
So run your VIN today, book the visit, and keep the paperwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the closed Jeep fire probe mean the recall is over?
No. NHTSA closed the investigation because the recall addresses the problem. Recall 26V363 stays open until each vehicle is repaired, and NHTSA still advises parking unrepaired vehicles outdoors.
Why did NHTSA close PE24024?
The recall covers the vehicles and conditions the agency examined. NHTSA will keep monitoring vehicles in the field.
Do I still need to park my Jeep outside?
Yes. NHTSA’s advice applies until your vehicle is repaired. Keep the Jeep away from buildings and other vehicles, even with the ignition off.
Is the Jeep power steering pump repair free?
Yes. Stellantis says dealers inspect the pump wiring and repair or replace parts as needed. The repair costs nothing, whether the Jeep passes or fails.
What does the dealer do during the recall repair?
Owners describe a short inspection. The technician scans for a stored code and checks the connector seating, latch, and wiring. Parts are ordered only if the Jeep fails.
Are repair parts available yet for Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators?
Mopar says the remedy is now available. Owners report parts matter only after a failed inspection, and wait times vary by dealer. Ask your dealer about stock before you book.
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