The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan displays its charging capabilities in Los Angeles, California on November 29, 2018 at Automobility LA, formerly the LA Auto Show Press and Trade Days.
(Photo : FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images)
Chrysler parent company Stellantis has recalled nearly 20,000 Pacifica Hybrids in the United States, urging owners to park their minivans outdoors because they can catch fire even when not being used, per Auto Revolution. The affected vehicles have been considered a fire risk after an investigation showed 12 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids bursting into flames even though they were parked and turned off at the time of the incident.
Eight of those 12 minivans were connected to chargers when the vehicles caught fire. That left Stellantis, which owns Chrysler, Ram, Fiat, Dodge, and Jeep, no other choice but to recall the Pacifica Hybrid minivans in question. Among the vehicles affected by the voluntary recall are 19,808 units of the plug-in hybrid 2017 and 2018 model year Pacificas.
Stellantis said that it is unaware of any accidents or injuries related to this problem. The company also insists that no other Pacifica models are affected by this issue. The cause of the fires is still unknown, with Stellantis saying that it is still working to confirm the reason behind it.
Stellantis still working to confirm the cause of the fires
The company issued a news release, saying, "Stellantis is working to confirm the cause of the fires. The remedy, when developed, will be provided free of charge, and affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service."
According to the Detroit Free Press, with the cause of the fires still a mystery at this point, Stellantis is advising Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid owners to refrain from recharging their vehicles. The company also told the owners to park their affected vehicles away from structures and other cars to avoid damaging them in case another fire strikes.
Stellantis made it clear to owners that they could keep operating their Pacifica Hybrids using the internal combustion engine. The breakdown of the recall shows 16,741 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids being affected in the United States, another 2,317 in Canada, and 750 outside North America.
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Stellantis joins other automakers with fire risk issues in vehicles
A reporter asked Stellantis spokesman Eric Mayne whether the fire danger issue has any connection to a June 2020 recall of certain Pacifica Hybrid minivans. Mayne refused to answer that question and instead directed the reporter back to the news release. That recall two years ago involved a fire risk related to an electrical connection in the Pacifica Hybrid minivans.
Autoblog wrote that Stellantis is not the only automaker dealing with fire concerns at the moment. Hyundai and its sister brand, Kia, issued recalls covering nearly 485,000 vehicles this week. The South Korean carmakers also told owners to park outside and away from homes because of a fire danger. In recent years, both car brands have struggled with fire issues in their vehicles' engines.
General Motors also has recalled more than 140,000 units of its embattled Chevy Bolt, with the issue related to potential fires and defective batteries.
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