Business/Consumer · NEWS EXPLAINER
NHTSA closes Jeep fire probe after 1.08 million-vehicle recall
The investigation is closed, but recall 26V363 remains active for affected 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. Owners should still complete the free remedy and follow NHTSA's park-outside guidance until repaired.
NHTSA has closed its preliminary investigation into underhood fires involving Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles after FCA US recalled more than 1 million vehicles to address the condition. Reuters reported September 29 that the agency concluded the recall covers the vehicles and fire conditions examined in the probe.
That closure does not cancel the recall. NHTSA campaign 26V363 covers 1,076,999 model-year 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles because wiring for the electric hydraulic power steering pump may overheat and cause a fire, including while a vehicle is parked with the ignition off.
Why NHTSA closed the investigation
NHTSA opened the probe in September 2024 after reports of underhood fires, including incidents when vehicles were parked and switched off. Many complaints pointed to the passenger side of the engine compartment near the power-steering-pump electrical connector.
FCA later issued a much larger June 2026 recall covering 1,076,999 Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. Reuters reports that NHTSA determined the recall addressed the vehicles and conditions examined in its preliminary evaluation, allowing the probe to close.
The recall is still the important owner action
The recall covers model-year 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles in the affected production population. NHTSA says an electrical connection problem in the electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring can overheat combustible material and start a fire.
NHTSA's June alert told owners to park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings and other vehicles until repaired. The remedy is an inspection and, when necessary, repair or replacement of affected wiring and/or the pump at no charge.
Closing the probe does not mean every vehicle is fixed
An investigation closure is a regulator's decision about the investigative file. A recall is a repair campaign for individual vehicles. Those are different things.
Owners should check their VIN through NHTSA or the manufacturer's recall system and complete the remedy if the recall remains open. A particular vehicle should not be treated as repaired merely because the broader investigation has been closed.
What NHTSA is still watching
Reuters reports that NHTSA will continue monitoring field performance and can take more action if new evidence warrants it.
The practical next checkpoint is whether repaired vehicles perform as intended and whether additional fire reports emerge. Until a specific affected vehicle has received the recall remedy, the safety instructions remain more important than the administrative closure of the investigation.
