Urgent recall of 200,000 hybrid SUVs that can catch fire and explode with ignition OFF

An urgent recall has been issued for 194,000 plug-in SUVS following reports that the vehicles can catch fire, even if the ignition is turned off.

Jeep made the announcement Monday after more than a dozen vehicles burst into flames after owners claimed they shut down the hybrids when in park.

The recall applies to the 2020 to 2024 models of the Wrangler 4xe and the 2022 through 2024 models of the Grand Cherokee 4xe. 

The American carmaker has urged owners to refrain from parking SUVs in their garage and instead, leave the vehicles on the street.

Jeep's owner, Stellantis, estimated that about five percent of the vehicles are impacted and  the fire risk decreases when the vehicle's battery levels are low.

'Accordingly, owners are advised to refrain from recharging. Out of an abundance of caution, the company is also advising owners of these vehicles to park away from structures or other vehicles until the remedy is obtained,' a Stellantis spokesperson told DailyMail.com.

Stellantis also explained that the risk of a fire is reduced when the vehicle's battery power is depleted, urging owners to not recharge the SUVs.

Customers have not yet been asked to bring their vehicle in to be serviced and the spokesperson said a 'remedy is imminent,' adding that they will notify impacted vehicle owners when it's time for them to come in.

The recall primarily affects owners in the US where 154,032 SUVs were recalled nationwide, while roughly 14,000 were recalled in Canada, 673 in Mexico and 25,502 outside of North America.

DailyMail.com has reached out to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for comment.