2021 Jeep Wrangler: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 1, 2026 · 170,000 miles · PA · fire

The contact owns a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated while seated inside the vehicle while the vehicle was stationary, the contact heard a pop and then saw flames coming from underneath the hood. The contact safely exited the vehicle. The fire was extinguished by bystanders nearby with fire extinguishers and water. The fire department arrived on the scene, but the fire was already extinguished. The fire department pried the hood open. The vehicle was inspected by the Police and the Fire Department. A police report was filed. The contact stated sustained smoke inhalation, but medical attention was not sought. The failure mileage was 170,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2026 · Steering · 22,890 miles · FL · fire

The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that there was an abnormal odor inside the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact parked the vehicle and while inspecting the vehicle, the contact saw smoke coming from underneath the vehicle. The contact became aware of fire underneath the vehicle. The Fire Department arrived on the scene and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The vehicle was deemed a total loss. There were no injuries sustained. The contact later received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 22,890.

Filed Jun 24, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

1. The vehicle caught fire during normal operation. It is a 2021 Jeep Wrangler (VIN [XXX]) subject to FCA US Recall 21D / the federal safety agency Campaign 26V363000, which identifies the electric hydraulic power steering (EHPS) pump and its wiring as a fire source that can overheat and ignite. The exact failed component has not yet been confirmed by diagnostic, but the fire is consistent with the defect described in that recall. The vehicle is intact and available for inspection — it was towed to Waxahatchie Jeep, an authorized Stellantis dealer in Waxahachie, TX, on June 19, 2026 and remains in their custody under repair order [XXX]. 2. The vehicle caught fire while being driven on the highway between Waxahachie and Ennis, Texas, with two occupants returning from a Boy Scout trip, my husband, the driver, and our [XXX] son. The driver was forced to take evasive action, steering off the roadway into a service station to get the occupants clear and stop the fire from spreading further. This created a serious risk of burns, of a collision during the evasive maneuver, and of harm to the occupants and other motorists. 3. Has the problem been reproduced…? No. No diagnostic has been performed. The vehicle has been in the authorized dealer’s custody since June 19, 2026 ([XXX]), but the manufacturer has not completed an inspection or diagnostic. The underlying defect is the subject of an active recall (21D / 26V363000) affecting more than one million 2021–2025 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles, for which the manufacturer has stated no remedy is yet available. 4. The vehicle was towed by AAA to Waxahatchie Jeep on June 19, 2026 and has remained there since. It has not yet been formally inspected or diagnosed by the manufacturer. 5. There were no warning lamps or messages prior to the fire. The first indication of a problem was smoke from the engine area at which point the driver immediately pulled off the road and saw a plume of smoke coming from the exhaust. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.

Filed Jun 18, 2026 · Electrical, Steering · 59,000 miles · AL · fire

The contact owned a 2021 Jeep Wrangler. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with a right-hand steering wheel and was used as a mail carrier vehicle. The contact stated that after parking and dropping off mail, the contact returned to the vehicle and noticed that the vehicle was overheating, and the battery warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the contact noticed an abnormal popping sound and smoke coming from under the hood. The contact turned off and exited the vehicle. The contact called 911, and the Fire truck arrived 10 minutes later; however, the fire had already started under the hood. The contact stated that the vehicle burned significantly from the front-end to the front seats. Additionally, mail inside the vehicle were burned. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. There was no injury sustained. A fire report was filed, and additionally, a Police report was filed. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance company. The vehicle was towed to Copart's. Upon conducting a VIN search on the website, the contact became aware that the VIN was included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 26V363000 (Steering). The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the recall only applied to electric vehicles. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 59,000.

Filed Jun 11, 2026 · Electrical · AZ

COMPONENT/SYSTEM THAT FAILED — AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION: The electrical system failed at the under-hood fuse box / power distribution center (the component sometimes referred to as the TIPM), located near the battery. The vehicle started roughly, shut off within about 3 seconds, would not stay running, and emitted a plastic/electrical burning smell from that area. The vehicle is currently at Oxendale Jeep in Cottonwood, AZ and is available for inspection upon request. A photo of the damage from service advisor Jason Smith and a dealer pre-service inspection document are also available. HOW SAFETY WAS PUT AT RISK: The vehicle would not run and stranded me in an unfamiliar parking lot in Jerome, AZ. The electrical burning smell created a fire risk. A responding firefighter, a police officer, and online guidance all advised not to restart the vehicle due to the danger of fire. REPRODUCED/CONFIRMED BY DEALER: Not fully. Oxendale's pre-service inspection states they could not perform actual diagnostics due to the mechanical damage and burnt components. The dealer documented the damage but has not reproduced or confirmed a root cause. INSPECTED BY MANUFACTURER, POLICE, INSURANCE, OR OTHERS: A local firefighter and a local police officer observed the burning smell at the scene. The jeep dealership service advisor inspected and documented the damage. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer or an insurance representative. WARNING LAMPS/MESSAGES/SYMPTOMS BEFORE FAILURE: No prior warning lamps or messages before the incident. Symptoms first appeared at the time of failure on Friday, [XXX]: a rough start, immediate shut-off, and an electrical/plastic burning smell. Dash lights and electrical power stayed on with info on dash don’t remember wording, but the vehicle would not remain running. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jun 10, 2026 · Electrical · WI · fire

Unknown Our 2021 Jeep Wrangler caught fire in our garage destroying our home as well. The vehicle had been sitting for over 10 hours before suddenly catching fire. When I open the garage door, the engine compartment was completely engulfed in flame. I used four fire extinguishers that I had at my house and workshop trying to put out the fire. Then I had to wait for the fire department. When the fire department got there, they fought the flames and opened up the rest of the house because this fire has spread through the attic of the garage by that time. Then they also had a towing company come and pull the vehicle from the garage so that they could continue fighting the flames. We feel there had to be a manufactured defect to cause such a situation.

Filed Apr 21, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN · fire

Driving on the highway smoke came from under the hood in the right hand side forcing my family out on the highway keep ingulfed in flames and burnt to a crisp

Filed Apr 20, 2026 · Body · NJ · fire

The car which is barely driven, suddenly caught on fire while parked in my home driveway after sitting there for close to 8 hours. so the car wasn't in use at the time. It's completely gone.

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Electrical · WA · fire

On Tuesday January 6 2026, I was driving my 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe. I noticed smoke coming out the engine. I pulled over to the side of the road to determine the problem. Upon exiting the vehicle, I saw flames coming from the undercarriage of the engine. The fire soon engulfed the vehicle. 911 was called. Police and Fire responded. The vehicle was destroyed in the fire. I have photos and videos of the fire and aftermath, taken once I exited the vehicle. I assume the fire is the result of the recent recall on the battery components of the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The vehicle is currently in an impound lot and would be available for inspection upon request. I have notified Jeep and my insurance of the incident, but the jeep has not as of yet, been inspected by either entity. The fire was of great risk to myself. If I hadn't pulled over when I did who knows what might have occurred. In addition I had a full tank of gas so the vehicle could have exploded endangering other people, vehicles, and property. No warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem appeared prior to the failure. The vehicle had been operating as intended prior to smoke/fire. I have documentation of a service of the vehicle on Wednesday Dec 3, 2025 with Raidon's of Kirkland in which the performed recall services.

Filed Nov 6, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · MO

My local dealer has all the documentation on this jeep. It has been into the dealership many times now the check engine light is on for another problem which I am taking it in again this weekend . When I ask the dealer, I’ve been seeing things on Facebook about these jeeps having issues they just filled me full of a bunch of Bull and says every vehicle has issues. I’ve ran the VIN number and found out that mine is one of them that just catches on fire plus sometimes shakes when it’s driving down the road but that’s been minor considering everything else. One time I was driving up the driveway and it felt like the transmission slipped or something. They said it was something in the four-wheel-drive that went out. This is a new vehicle. It has very low miles on it. I’ve had it going on maybe the fourth year now it’s only got 31,000 miles on it I don’t drive it very far. It’s been in the shop several times for recalls or things that’s happened to it. When I first got it, it left me stranded would not start. I’d only had it a few days. It has been a lemon from start to finish. I am terrified to drive it and I don’t have another vehicle. I paid $55,000 for this jeep just a few years ago. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I desperately need help if the manufacturer is refunding people’s monies I want to make sure that I get enough money to buy another vehicle because this one is only a few years old and it’s been in the shop numerous amount of times. The other day it shimmied a little bit on the highway and I thought it was the road and now I’m reading that there’s problems with that also, it’s clearly a lemon. But as I said, I’m scared to death to drive it now. The newest development as I’ve said is now the check engine light is on. It’s only been out of the shop for maybe three weeks since they fixed something in the four-wheel-drive which I’ve never even used. I love the looks of this Jeep, but it’s not dependable so I need help.

Filed Jul 22, 2025 · CA · fire

On 7/13/25, my 2021 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited with approximately 50,000 miles on it spontaneously caught fire as I was driving down the highway. The fire appeared to start in the engine compartment and very quickly moved to the entire front end of the vehicle. I pulled over on the side of the road and managed to safely exit the vehicle without physical injury. In minutes, the entire vehicle was consumed in flames. The fire department arrived within 10 minutes. When I departed the scene of the incident, fire fighters were still spraying water on the vehicle. After leaving the scene, I went to the hospital for psychological injury related to the incident. The investigation into the fire is currently underway. I do not have additional information about the cause or specific location of the fire. The vehicle is currently at a tow yard and is a total loss. It is nearly unrecognizable aside from the frame and a few components in the far rear. I am in the process of documenting all upgrades and modifications. Since it was fully built for off-roading and overlanding, it is a long and challenging task to take inventory of every part. Approximately 3 months before the incident, the vehicle was towed to a local CDJR dealership for a factory recall, where the entire fuel system was replaced. There were no other issues with the vehicle.

Filed Jul 4, 2025 · Electrical · KY · fire

Someone knocked saying the 2021 jeep wrangler 4XE was smoking. The vehicle was filled with smoke. When the back doors were opened, the interior neer the battery was all melted. A couple minutes later the vehicle burst into flames.