Lawsuits have been filed by owners over a Jeep fire risk that involves certain 2021, 2022, and 2023 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiators.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Fire Injury cases in all 50 states. If you were injured or burned when a 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator caught on fire, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Auto Defect Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Fire Defects
Lawyers are investigating injuries and deaths from under-hood fires on 2021, 2022, and 2023 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles. There may be over 781,000 vehicles with this serious safety hazard.
What Happened?
Fires have been reported when the owner was driving the Jeep, but in most cases, the fires started when the Jeep was parked with the ignition turned off. In one incident involving a 2022 Gladiator in Auburn, Washington, the vehicle caught on fire after being parked for 2 weeks.
Jeep Underhood Fires Linked to Power Steering Pump
These underhood Jeep fires appear to originate at the power steering pump electrical connector on the passenger side of the engine.
In many cases, owners said their Jeep caught on fire shortly after purchasing the vehicle, when it still had very low miles. These fires have been reported in vehicles that were parked or being driven.
What is the Fire Hazard?
Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiators (2021-2023 model years) have been linked to a fire hazard that can start in the front passenger side of the engine compartment. Underhood fires can start when the vehicle is turned off. Fires have also been reported on the road.
According to the NHTSA Investigation Report:
“The majority of the reports describe a fire occurring while the ignition in the vehicle was in an ‘OFF’ state with a suspected origin at the passenger front side of the engine compartment. An ignition ‘OFF’ vehicle fire can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little to no warning.”
How Many Deaths & Injuries Were Reported?
Underhood fires involving 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiators have been linked to:
- 9 fire-related incidents
- 1 injury
- 1 death
Report Describes Terrifying Underhood Jeep Fire
Here is one example of a terrifying report of an underhood fire involving a 2022 Jeep Gladiator. The vehicle caught on fire in February 2024 in Shasta County, California, when it had only around 15,000 miles:
“I had my husband, two children and two dogs in the vehicle. Without warning the power steering went out. Within 20 seconds a steering wheel light appeared on the dash. Within approximately 20 more seconds, I was able to pull over into a plowed turnout. As soon as we stopped the vehicle we noticed a fire in the engine compartment.”
Jeep Fire Class Action Lawsuit
In November 2024, a class action lawsuit was filed by angry Jeep owners who accuse the manufacturer of selling defective vehicles, failing to issue a recall, and failing to adequately warn people about the fire hazard.
The lawsuit was filed on November 7, 2024 in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan – Case Number 2:24-cv-12968-JEL-KGA.
Jeeps Linked to Spontaneous Fire Risk
The lawsuit describes a “Spontaneous Fire Risk,” which exposes people to an unreasonably risk of accident, injury, death, property damage if it catches on fire while it is being used or when it is parked.
Why Are Underhood Fires So Dangerous?
Jeep fires can be extremely dangerous or deadly, especially if the fire is able to spread to a home when the vehicle is parked in a garage, close to a house, or another structure where people live.
The fire can quickly spread to a home, business, other buildings, and structures. The fire risk exposes passengers, other drivers on the road, neighbors, and owners of other cars to a potential safety hazard if they park near a Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator that unexpectedly catches on fire.
Where Are These Jeep Fires Starting?
Evidence suggests that the Jeep fire hazard is linked to the power steering pump electrical connector, according to an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
A fire when the ignition is turned off “can result in an increased risk of occupant injury, injury to persons outside the vehicle, and property damage, with little or no warning,” the NHTSA warned owners.
What Should I Do?
Our lawyers are investigating this Jeep fire hazard to protect people from any risk of potential property damage, physical injuries (such as burn injuries or car accidents due to underhood fires), and deaths.
If you bought or leased a 2021-2023 gas or hybrid Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator, contact our lawyers to learn about the class action lawsuit.
Do I have a Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Fire Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator Fire Injury cases in all 50 states. If you were injured or burned when a 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler or Jeep Gladiator caught on fire, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Auto Defect Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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