Lemberg Law is investigating widespread consumer complaints about 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles losing engine power while driving.
Understanding the Power Loss Issue in the Wrangler 4xe
There is a major, very widespread problem with 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles losing engine power. Recognizing it, the U.S. Government’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a “recall query” into loss of motive power in an estimated 94,275 Wrangler 4xe PHEV vehicles on July 5, 2024.
RQ24012, the NHTSA Action Number, was prompted by a review of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Safety Recall ZB7 (NHTSA 22V-865) issued in December 2022. This applies to 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler vehicles with a 2.0L plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) engine. It states that 62,900 of these vehicles “may experience an engine shut down condition caused by diagnostic reactions to faults caused by loss of communication. An engine shut down condition may result in an unexpected loss of motive power while driving, which can cause a vehicle crash without prior warning.”
The repair the automaker announced was for dealerships to “Update calibration software in the Power Inverter Module (PIM), comprised of the Hybrid Control Processor (HCP) and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processor (AHCP), then update the calibration software in the Transmission Control Module (TCM).”
However, not only have an increased number of vehicles been identified as losing power and shutting down, owners are complaining to the NHTSA that their vehicles continue to lose power after the prescribed update.
A more recent safety recall affecting 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler PHEV vehicles warns that 32,125 vehicles risk a battery failure issue that could lead to a vehicle fire. It doesn’t matter whether the ignition is on or off. According to the NHTSA Safety Recall Report 23V-787, “The defect has not been identified and the root cause is still being investigated.”
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Owner Experience Overview
Jeep Wrangler 4xe owners are experiencing loss of power, which commonly leads to their vehicles shutting down. While the original recall applies to 62,900 2021-2023 vehicles, the NHTSA investigation extends to 94,275 2021-2024 Wrangler 4xe Jeeps. Complaints to the NHTSA tell the story.
Interestingly, all complaints are listed under NHTSA “Jeep Wrangler,” even though they do have Jeep Wrangler 4xe categories — with no complaints about anything for any model year (MY)!
Here are a handful of NHTSA complaints from all four MYs.
2021 Model Year (MY) Complaints
Complaints about a loss of power are posted mainly as electrical system and/or engine problems. While certainly not all complaints in these categories are about engines losing power, together, they represent more than half of the total 597 complaints lodged by mid-August 2024.
An owner from Ohio stated on July 10, 2024 that his Wrangler 4xe had stalled while driving — twice after the 2022 software update had been carried out. “I was unable to regain any power to the vehicle and had to have it towed to a Dodge dealership for repairs.”
In November 2022, an owner from California first experienced a loss of power on his 2021 Jeep Wrangler 4xe Sahara. “I was driving on the freeway on the carpool lane (at) about 65 miles per hour and the car completely shut down.” This left him, his mom, his aunt, and his service dog in the middle of a high-traffic freeway in Los Angeles “with no power to keep moving. I could have gotten killed and my family as well.” Horrifyingly, since then, “the Jeep has been in for repairs for the same issue another fourteen (14) times.” And to make matters worse, the complaint states that Chrysler won’t respond to their requests for assistance.
An owner from Texas states simply: “It has been about 4 months now, and Stalantis/Jeep still is unable to fix the issue. This means that for 4 months, I’m unable to use the vehicle for its intended purpose.”
2022 MY Complaints
There aren’t as many NHTSA complaints about the 2022 Jeep Wrangler (164). But nearly 63% relate to electrical and/or engine issues. Again, they aren’t all to do with loss of power, but this is a big issue. A large number relate to the risk of vehicles catching fire.
An owner from New York states, “My 2022 4xe has been in the shop a total of 10 months due to engine shut down, (slamming to a stop while driving along with auto park engaging). All of this started after having the 22V865 recall performed in 2023. The dealership has yet to figure out the remedy, despite popping multiple codes. This is a SERIOUS SAFETY issue that could ultimately kill someone if Stellantis continues to turn a blind eye.”
In a complaint dated August 6, 2024, an owner from Arizona states, “My 2023 Jeep 4xe shut down in the middle of the highway.” They were traveling at 65 mph, and the dashboard displayed an error message: “Service Charging System.” “Shortly after, the vehicle experienced a total loss of power, and the screen instructed, “Put in park to start vehicle,” with a flashing “D” on the gear indicator. This had happened before in a 2022 that we traded in because we didn’t feel safe driving.”
Another owner tells how his 2022 4xe Rubicon has been at the shop for 60 days for slamming into a dead stop while driving over 8 -18 mph. “This happened 4 times early in the morning trying to drive to work. The dealership towed it in that morning, but failed to look at it for over 2 weeks.” Additionally, “I had the 22V-865 recall done in Feb 2023, which CLEARLY did NOT work. Chrysler’s involvement has been useless.”
2023 MY Complaints
More than 70% of NHTSA complaints about the 2023 MY relate to the electrical system and/or engine. As with other MYs, the loss of motive power is not the only problem. It is, though, a very serious one.
A very recent complaint dated July 22, 2024, tells how a Florida owner’s 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe had a loss of motive power twice. Both times, it was running at highway speeds — “68MPH, Cruise set, (Speed Limit 70), 1,800RPM, 20 %Power. Vehicle just loses power. RPM Drops to 0 and % Power drops to 0.”
Another complaint states, “While driving on highway/freeway at approx 70 mph, (my) 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe suddenly lost power/engine shut down. I coasted safely and pulled over from the fast lane to the right lane of the freeway to the shoulder. Vehicle was able to be restarted and able to be driven. Now at the dealership.”
While owners of the 2023 (and other) Jeep Wrangler 4xe vehicles are holding their breath that the loss of engine power issue won’t cause them to crash, it can be even worse when it causes other vehicles to crash!
An owner from California tells how in August 2023, their 4xe with less than 300 miles, suddenly displayed, “Electric Mode Temporarily Not available.” The car lost power while traveling at 70 mph and slowed to 8 mph. “The diesel traveling behind us slammed on his brakes to avoid hitting us and he tail-spinned and caused a huge accident, all cars behind him had to come to a halt. I had my 2-year-old granddaughter in her car seat in the back and my 70-year-old mother in the front. We could have been killed.” Two dealerships told her they couldn’t duplicate the problem and suggested she didn’t drive in electric mode!
2024 MY Complaints
It’s not surprising that the complaints about the 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe are lower than previous MYs. However, incredibly, more than 98% of complaints relate to the engine and electrical system. But the dilemma is whether the software date instructed by the automaker will help 2024 owners if it hasn’t helped those with previous MYs that have the problem.
A New York owner tells how he took his 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe twice within 30 days. When the battery problem recurred, and multiple warning signs appeared, the “driving speed gradually drained to 2 mph and I heard loud fan noise run at high speed. I had to wait 10 minutes until the fan noise (was) gone.” Luckily, he made it home. But, the next day, driving to the dealership it happened again. This time, nothing worked and the vehicle waqs towed to the dealership “Repair time uncertain.”
One of the most recent 2024 complaints states that the Jeep “stopped dead with a total power failure” between New Jersey and New York. “This was at night with other vehicles traveling at high speed on the road as well. Lucky to be alive. The vehicle was towed into the Jeep dealer on Rt 18 in New Jersey and they returned it saying they had applied a “software update.” Glad they feel like a software update is worth someone’s life.”
Taking Action: What to Do if Your Wrangler 4xe Loses Power
If your 2021, 2022, 2023, or 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4xe has loss of motive power issues, you are welcome to contact Lemberg Law. All you have to do is call our Helpline or fill out a contact form and we’ll assess your case free of charge. If we pursue your case in terms of lemon law, the automaker, Chrysler, will have to pay the legal bills.
About the Author:
Sergei Lemberg is an attorney focusing on consumer law, class actions related to automotive issues, and personal injury litigation. With nearly two decades of experience, his areas of practice include Lemon Law (vehicle defects), Debt Collection Harassment, TCPA (illegal robocalls and texts), Fair Credit Reporting Act, Overtime claims, Personal Injury cases, and Class Actions.
He has consistently been recognized as the nation's "most active consumer attorney." In 2020, Mr. Lemberg represented Noah Duguid before the United States Supreme Court in the landmark case Duguid v. Facebook. He is also the author of "Defanging Debt Collectors," a guide that empowers consumers to fight back against debt collectors and prevail, as well as "Lemon Law 101: The Laws That Lemon Dealers Don't Want You to Know."
