Stellantis is being sued over what is being described as a “spontaneous fire hazard” involving some of its popular Jeep SUVs and trucks.
A complaint filed by the automaker’s FCA US operations arm states that a defect in the fuel pump’s power steering linkage could cause fires in some 2021-23 gas-powered and hybrid Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators while being driven or while parked. .
It names plaintiffs from Kentucky, California, Oregon and Tennessee, and says the vehicles have been recalled for other fire hazards.
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The lawsuit, filed Nov. 7 in US District Court in Detroit, seeks unspecified damages and remedies, and follows an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration into more than 781,000 Jeep vehicles.
Asked about the investigation and the lawsuit, company spokesman Frank Matyok said, “We are cooperating with NHTSA’s investigation.”
The NHTSA document cites under-hood fires when vehicles are turned off and lists nine reported incidents, including one injury. The agency’s Defects Investigation office opened its investigation on September 6.
Stellantis is facing charges and an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration following reports of fires in 2021-2023 Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators.
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The lawsuit addresses several complaints filed by NHTSA, including one by a Jeep owner in Rumson, New Jersey, related to the 2021 incident. It says the 2021 Jeep’s engine started smoking and burst into flames within 10 minutes.
“Every front was irreparably damaged/burned and fire stations had to put out the fire. My daughter, dog and I were able to make it out of the car but it was scary,” according to the suit.
In addition to Jeep, Stellantis owns the Ram, Chrysler, Dodge and Fiat brands.
“If your friend lends you your car but tells you that, due to the risk of fire – even if you are stopped and turned off – you must be sure to keep the car away from your house, buildings, other buildings or anything else that burns. That’s the case, you may be afraid to step near it,” Steve Berman, managing director of Hagens Berman, one of the law firms involved in the case, said in a press release this week affected Jeeps may expire.”
Free Press staff writer Jamie L. LaReau contributed this report.
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This article first appeared on the Detroit Free Press: Stellantis accused of ‘spontaneous fires’ in some Jeeps.