NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation: Underhood Fires in Jeep Gladiator (PE24-024)
Opened September 6, 2024 · Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
NHTSA opened a preliminary evaluation (PE24-024) on September 6, 2024 into underhood fires in 2021-2024 Jeep Gladiator, 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler. The investigation is closed on September 24, 2026 and led to recall 26V363000.
PE24-024 at a glance
| NHTSA action number | PE24-024 |
|---|---|
| Type | Preliminary Evaluation |
| Opened | September 6, 2024 |
| Status | Closed September 24, 2026 |
| Vehicles | 2021-2024 Jeep Gladiator, 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler |
| Component | Steering > Hydraulic Power Assist > Pump |
| Manufacturer | Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) |
| Resulting recall | 26V363000 |
What is NHTSA investigating in the Jeep Gladiator?
From NHTSA’s investigation summary:
On September 6, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24024 to investigate allegations of engine compartment fires in model year 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles.
Most reports described fires starting on the front passenger side of the engine compartment while the vehicle was turned off, with several originating specifically at the electrohydraulic power steering pump's electrical connector.
Following the opening of the investigation, ODI sent an information request letter to the vehicle manufacturer to assess the cause, scope, and frequency of the alleged defect.
Additionally, ODI continued to receive reports of vehicle fires with a likely origin at or near the power steering pump.
Throughout this investigation, ODI continued to discuss these new reports and the information request letter response with the manufacturer.
On June 4, 2026, FCA issued recall 26V363 to address power steering fires caused by high electrical resistance at the pump's connector.
Recall 26V363 includes the 781,459 vehicles identified in the opening resume of this investigation and expands the population to include all 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles produced between June 24, 2020, and December 2, 2024.This recall directly covers the vehicles and issues examined in this investigation.
Accordingly, ODI is closing this investigation and is not requiring FCA to provide any additional information about this issue at this time.
The Agency will continue to monitor field performance and reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
What is a preliminary evaluation?
Preliminary Evaluation is the first stage of a federal defect investigation. NHTSA reviews complaints, crash reports and manufacturer data to decide whether a safety defect may exist. It can close with no action, be upgraded to an engineering analysis, or end with a recall.
Did this investigation lead to a recall?
Yes. NHTSA lists recall 26V363000 as the result of this investigation: 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler Steering Pump Recall (26V363).
Which vehicles are part of this investigation?
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-2024 | Jeep | Gladiator |
| 2021-2023 | Jeep | Wrangler |
What are Jeep Gladiator owners reporting to NHTSA?
NHTSA’s public database lists 2,192 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this investigation (all components). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
What should owners do?
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for any open recall on your vehicle.
- If you have the problem NHTSA is investigating, take the vehicle to a dealer now and get a repair order, even if the dealer cannot find anything.
- Keep a log of every time the problem happens: date, mileage and what happened. Photos and videos help.
- File your own complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem. Owner complaints are what start and expand investigations.
- If the problem keeps coming back, talk to a lemon law attorney.
Recalls on the same vehicles
- 2026 Jeep Wrangler Backup Camera Recall (26V531)
- 2026 Jeep Gladiator Wheel Recall (26V456)
- 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler Steering Pump Recall (26V363)
- 2023 Chrysler Pacifica Backup Camera Recall (26V327)
- 2026 Jeep Wrangler Vehicle Tether Anchor Recall (26V224)
- 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler High-Voltage Battery Recall (25V741)
- 2024-2025 Jeep Wrangler Tire Pressure Monitor Recall (25V527)
- 2024 Jeep Wrangler Lighting Recall (24V871)
- 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler Backup Camera Recall (24V676)
- 2021-2024 Jeep Gladiator Instrument Cluster Recall (24V652)
Can a recall or defect investigation make my car a lemon in California?
Not by itself. What matters is whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps your vehicle at the dealer, and a federal investigation or recall is strong evidence that the problem is real.
Under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, a manufacturer that cannot fix a warranty defect that substantially impairs a vehicle’s use, value or safety within a reasonable number of attempts may have to repurchase or replace it (Civ. Code 1793.2(d)). Within the first 18 months or 18,000 miles, the law presumes a reasonable number of attempts after two repairs of a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four repairs of the same defect, or more than 30 days out of service (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)).
An owner who prevails can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Frequently asked questions
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA investigation, recall and complaint data, accessed October 7, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.22
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq., Founder and Managing Attorney of America’s Lemon Lawyer (Wynn Law Group, APC). Licensed by the State Bar of California, No. 362320. His practice focuses on California lemon law under the Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act.
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Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page reports public NHTSA data and is general information, not legal advice. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.