Over 1 Million Jeeps Can Catch Fire While Parked — And 2026's Recall Crisis Is Far From Over
It sounds like something out of a nightmare: your Jeep parked quietly in the garage overnight, engine off, keys inside — and it catches fire anyway. That's not a hypothetical. It's the scenario driving one of the largest vehicle safety recalls of 2026, and it's just one chapter in what's shaping up to be a record-breaking year for American automotive safety actions.
The Jeep That Can Burn While You Sleep
On June 9, 2026, Stellantis issued a recall covering an estimated 1,076,999 U.S.-market Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles from model years 2021 through 2025. The company identified an electrical connection issue in the electric hydraulic power steering pump wiring that can cause combustible materials to overheat — potentially leading to a vehicle fire even when the ignition is off.
Of the vehicles involved, 787,887 are Wranglers and 289,112 are Gladiators. Stellantis estimates only about 0.1% actually carry the defect — but with over a million vehicles in the recall pool, that still represents thousands of potentially affected trucks and SUVs on American driveways right now.
By the time Stellantis filed the recall with NHTSA on June 4, regulators had already linked the defect to 72 fires and one injury. Federal safety officials issued a rare "park outside" advisory — urging owners to keep their Jeeps away from garages, homes, and other vehicles until a repair is available.
Torn between two models? Use our Compare tool to see them side by side before you decide.
Stellantis first began investigating the issue in May 2023. However, the company's technical safety department decided against a recall at that time, and again in April 2024, citing a "low rate of occurrence." After an increase in incidents in August 2024, NHTSA opened its own investigation the following month — ultimately leading to the June 2026 action.
Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed beginning July 9, 2026. The repair — which may involve inspecting and replacing the power steering pump wiring harness and/or the pump itself — is completely free of charge under federal law. Owners can check their VIN now at NHTSA.gov using recall number 26V363, or call Stellantis at 1-800-853-1403.
Read also: Car Insurance Claims Denied for Common Reasons — Policy Limits, Missing Docs, Lapsed Coverage
Ford's Recall Year Is Getting Worse
The Jeep recall isn't an isolated event. Ford has issued 51 recalls in 2026 so far, affecting more than 11.2 million vehicles. The company already holds the record for most recalls issued in a single year, with 153 in 2025, and could be on pace for another record.
Among June's Ford actions, two campaigns carry an explicit "do not drive" warning. Three F-150 recall campaigns — covering roughly 147,000 trucks total — are re-recalls, meaning an earlier repair attempt failed and owners must return to dealerships for a second fix. Issues range from daytime running lamps that don't dim properly, to a gearshift defect that can cause the truck to unexpectedly lurch into Reverse or Neutral.
Building your ideal collection? Create your own Dream Garage and design the lineup you've always wanted.
The Bigger Picture
More than 300 vehicle safety recalls have been recorded across over 100 manufacturers so far in 2026, with vehicles from Ford, Jeep, Honda, Toyota, Kia, and Subaru all affected. Even when repairs are offered at no cost, recalls can still strain household budgets — drivers may need to arrange alternate transportation or take time off work, and those with a "do not drive" warning may face immediate disruption.
Read also: Used Car Market Tightens with 3-Year-Old Vehicles at $31,548 — Second-Highest Q1 on Record
Not sure which car to choose? Take our quiz and find out!
What to Do Right Now
Every vehicle owner should check their VIN at NHTSA.gov or call 1-888-327-4236. The lookup is free, takes under a minute, and covers all open recalls. If your vehicle carries a "do not drive" warning, contact your dealer immediately — manufacturers are required to assist with transportation in serious cases. Don't wait for a letter to arrive.
