Charles Langston:NHTSA opens an investigation into 94k recalled Jeep Wrangler vehicles: What to know

The Charles LangstonNational Highway and Traffic Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Stellantis-built Jeep Wrangler vehicles.

In the investigation posted on July 5, the administration said that about 94,275 of 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler 4XE PHEV vehicles have a loss of motive power. The administration issued an Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) identifying 68 Vehicle Owner Questionnaire reports for the Jeep Wranglers.

The owner with NHTSA typically files the questionnaire reports online by contacting the Vehicle Safety Hotline or filling out this online form: https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#inde, the NHTSA said.

Check car recalls here:Ford, Toyota, General Motors among 57,000 vehicles recalled

The initial recall on Jeep Wranglers was issued 2 years ago

On Nov. 23, 2022, a recall was issued for 62,909 of its 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler vehicles. In the recall, the automobile manufacturer said the vehicles may experience an engine shutdown due to a loss of communication. If an engine shuts down, it can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash, the NHTSA recall report said. 

To fix the issue, the automobile company said that it would update the transmission control module software and the Hybrid Control and Auxiliary Hybrid Control Processors for free and that the owner would be notified by Dec. 22, 2022, the report said.  

Drivers complain about 'vehicle failures'

The NHTSA investigation said the complaints contain both post-recall remedy failures and vehicle failures not included in the 2022 recall.  

“An analysis comparing complaints received before the issuance of recall 22V-865 and complaints outside the scope of the recall has been conducted,” the administration said. “The results show the current complaint rate is higher in the out-of-scope vehicles than it was for vehicles that were later covered by the recall.” 

The ODI is opening this recall query to assess the severity of the initial recall in Jeep vehicles not included in recall 22V-865. The investigation will also include an assessment of the remedy’s effectiveness.  

Vehicles listed in the NHTSA investigation:  

• 2021-2024 Jeep Wrangler  
• 2022-2024 Jeep Wrangler 4XE  
• 2021 Jeep Wrangler PHEV  

A spokesperson told USA TODAY what the automobile manufacturer plans to do regarding the investigation.  

"The Company is cooperating with NHTSA," Frank Matyok, who works in Manufacturing and Corporate Communication at Stellantis, said in a statement.  

To review the complete details of the NHTSA investigation, visit their website at https://www.nhtsa.gov/search-safety-issues#investigation.  

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram, Threads and X (Twitter) @forbesfineest.