Jeep Fire Risk Lawsuit: Wrangler, Gladiator Models Under Scrutiny

Case Overview: Jeep owners sue FCA over alleged fire risk in Wrangler and Gladiator models, claiming a faulty connector can cause fires, even when the vehicles are off.

Consumers Affected: U.S. consumers who purchased or leased a 2021 through 2023 model year Jeep Wrangler JL and/or Jeep Gladiator vehicle.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Some Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models from 2021 to 2023 have a serious defect that increases the risk of spontaneous fires, even when the vehicles are turned off, a new lawsuit alleges. 

The lawsuit claims that a faulty power steering pump electrical connector may be to blame and accuses automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles of failing to take action despite knowing about the issue.

Jeep Owners Allege Fire Hazard in Popular Models

Nikki Bell, an Illinois Jeep owner, filed the proposed class action lawsuit after purchasing a used 2023 Jeep Wrangler from an authorized dealer.

Bell, like other Jeep owners, believed she was buying a safe and reliable vehicle, she says in the lawsuit, however, after learning about reports of Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators catching fire she contacted her dealership for guidance. The dealership checked her vehicle identification number (VIN) and told her there was no need for an inspection because the vehicle was not part of any recall.

Bell and other Jeep owners argue that FCA has concealed the defect, leaving them stuck with vehicles that could pose a serious safety hazard. The lawsuit claims that the defect has diminished the vehicles’ resale value and forced owners to spend time and money monitoring their cars for potential fire risks.

Owners Claim FCA Knew of Defect, Failed to Act

At the core of the lawsuit is an alleged defect in the power steering pump electrical connector. According to reports filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, multiple Jeep Wranglers and Gladiators have caught fire without warning.

In some cases, fires started when the vehicles were parked and turned off, including one incident where a Jeep burned to the ground six hours after being parked.

The NHTSA launched an investigation into these reports in September 2024, after receiving complaints, including at least one fatality linked to an engine compartment fire. Despite these concerns, FCA has not issued a recall for the affected vehicles.

Under federal law, automakers are required to report safety defects within five days of discovering them. The lawsuit argues that FCA has been aware of the issue since at least March 2021, based on consumer complaints and reports to NHTSA.

Jeep owners claim that FCA should have conducted pre-market testing, including thermal stress and durability assessments, to identify the issue before the vehicles were sold. Instead, they allege, FCA failed to warn consumers and has continued selling potentially dangerous vehicles. 

Similar Lawsuits Target Other Automakers Over Defects

The Jeep fire lawsuit is the latest in a string of legal actions against automakers over alleged vehicle defects. Jeep hybrid owners have also sued over claims that Wrangler 4xe plug-in hybrids can catch fire while parked. 

Meanwhile, Ford is facing lawsuits over defective batteries in Bronco Sport and Maverick models, as well as intake valve defects in its EcoBoost engines. Volkswagen is similarly under fire for allegedly selling Tiguan models with excessive oil consumption issues.

In the Jeep Wrangler Gladiator fire risk lawsuit, Bell wants to represent anyone in the US who purchased or leased a 2021 through 2023 model year Jeep Wrangler JL and/or Jeep Gladiator vehicle. She is suing for violations of the Illinois Consumer Fraud Act and is seeking damages, interest, fees, and costs.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Bell v. FCA US LLC
• Case Number: 2:25-cv-10583-DPH-CI  
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• E. Powell Miller and Dennis A. Lienhardt, Jr. (The Miller Law Firm PC)
• Steve W. Berman and Rachel Fitzpatrick (Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro LLP)
• Myles McGuire, Eugene Y. Turin, and Joseph Dunklin (McGuire Law, P.C.)
• John Sawin (Sawin Law Ltd.)
• Scott A. Morgan (Morgan Law Firm, Ltd.)

Do you own a Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator? Are you concerned about fire risks? Share your experiences and thoughts below.