Jeep’s 4xe plug-in hybrid models have gained impressive traction in recent years, becoming some of the most successful electrified vehicles in the United States. In fact, the Wrangler 4xe held the title of America’s best-selling PHEV for two consecutive years, representing roughly one-quarter of all Wrangler sales during that period. However, the strong reputation and popularity of Jeep’s hybrid lineup are now facing significant challenges, as the company has announced its third hybrid-related recall in under a month, raising concerns among customers and industry observers.
The most recent recall affects a large number of vehicles: 76,019 Wrangler 4xe models from the 2024–2025 model years, along with 36,840 Grand Cherokee 4xe units produced for 2023–2025. According to Jeep, an issue was discovered involving their 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines, which are manufactured in Mexico. These engines may contain sand residue left behind from the casting process. If this abrasive material ends up inside critical components, it can lead to severe internal damage. Such contamination has the potential to destroy the engine, resulting in a sudden loss of power. In worst-case scenarios, this could cause the driver to lose control, increasing the risk of accidents or even vehicle fires.
It’s worth noting that only the 4xe plug-in hybrid versions are affected by this particular issue, even though Jeep also produced standard non-hybrid 2.0-liter Wranglers during the same model years. The hazard is not merely hypothetical: by late October, Jeep had already accumulated 36 customer assistance reports, 144 warranty claims, 36 documented fires, 50 cases of propulsion loss, and an additional 50 reports of related concerns. Disturbingly, three injuries have been linked to the problem.
Jeep says it plans to start notifying affected owners around December 29, although the company has not yet finalized the repair strategy. One possibility is that more than 100,000 Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe models may require complete engine replacements. A similar corrective action was taken by Toyota earlier this year when its V6 engines were found to contain debris from the machining process, forcing the automaker to replace engines in many affected vehicles.
This latest recall adds to a growing list of problems. Just a few weeks earlier, Jeep issued a warning to over 320,000 Wrangler and Grand Cherokee 4xe owners, advising them to park their vehicles outdoors and away from buildings due to the risk of hybrid battery fires. And in late October, the company recalled nearly 25,000 Wrangler 4xe units after a faulty over-the-air software update caused erratic hybrid system behavior, including sudden loss of propulsion.