A lawsuit linked to a fire risk in the Jeep Gladiator pickup truck will move forward in court, with the judge denying Fiat Chrysler’s motion to compel arbitration. In these Jeep trucks, an electrical issue in the steering pump wiring may lead to a fire risk. The same issue affects the mechanically-related Wrangler, with both vehicles having been recalled in June. The lawsuit specifically involves a 2022 Gladiator that caught fire in 2024, and the plaintiffs allege that at least 10 fires are related to the electrical issue.
What’s Wrong With These Jeeps?
According to the recall report filed with the NHTSA, the Electric Hydraulic Power Steering Pump (EHPSP) in some Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator models could have an issue with their electrical connections.
“In some circumstances, high resistance electrical activity may take place in the area of the EHPSP connection causing overheating of combustible materials,” states the recall report. “Overheating of combustible materials in the vehicle or surrounding area may potentially lead to a fire. A fire can result in increased risk of occupant injury and injury to persons outside the vehicle.”
Stellantis
Plaintiffs Sandra and James Teuber from Illinois claim the same steering pump issue led to their 2022 Gladiator catching on fire when parked in their driveway. Attempts to extinguish the blaze with a garden hose failed, so the fire department was called. According to the lawsuit, shared by Car Complaints, 3,800 gallons of water and 35 gallons of firefighting foam were needed to stop the fire. The plaintiffs also complain that 20 gallons of gasoline leaked onto the property during the fire.
The automaker claims the case should not be in court, citing a binding arbitration agreement between it and the plaintiffs. However, the judge ruled against the automaker after the plaintiffs claimed they did not agree to arbitration when the lease papers were signed.
How Many Vehicles Are Affected?
Jeep
Other than the 2022 Jeep Gladiator involved in the lawsuit, a total of 289,112 Gladiators between the 2021 and 2025 model years were recalled. A further 787,887 Wranglers spanning the same model years were recalled, for a total of 1,076,999 vehicles. The recall report states that the automaker is aware of one injury related to the issue, while the lawsuit claims at least 10 fires have occurred.
Owners were notified of a planned remedy between July 9 and August 3, 2026. In the meantime, the automaker has warned owners of affected vehicles to park outside. The Illinois couple claims their burning Jeep damaged their garage door and surrounding trim; it was parked 10 feet away from the garage at the time.
The fire recall and associated lawsuit won’t do anything to improve Jeep’s already dismal reliability ratings. Out of 26 car brands, Consumer Reports ranked Jeep 24th for reliability. And, while the Gladiator and Wrangler are formidable off-roaders, owners of these vehicles must be prepared for more common repairs and potentially higher maintenance costs than in many rivals.
Related: Jeep Vs. Ram Reliability: The Results Aren’t Pretty
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