Chrysler Recalls Pacifica Hybrid Minivans Over Battery Fire Risks
Chrysler has announced a substantial recall of its Pacifica Hybrid minivan following four incidents of battery-related fires. The company is warning owners of these plug-in hybrid vehicles to avoid parking them in garages or near other structures.
According to a report, Chrysler is urging approximately 17,277 Pacifica hybrid owners to halt charging their vehicles and to park them outdoors, away from buildings, due to potential fire hazards. This recall pertains to specific models of the 2020-2022 Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrids that utilize high-voltage battery packs.
This announcement comes at a challenging time for the automaker, as it coincides with another recall from its sibling brand, Jeep, which impacts over 1.3 million Wrangler and Gladiator models worldwide for different fire-related issues. The Pacifica Hybrid has been a flagship product for Chrysler and represents a significant part of their current offerings.
The fire risk has been linked to battery cells manufactured on an alternate assembly line at LG Energy Solutions, a major global battery supplier. Chrysler has indicated that these cells may experience internal failures that could result in thermal runaway and subsequent fires. The company believes that roughly 1% of the recalled vehicles might actually contain these faulty cells.
Documentation submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirms that there have been four known fire incidents involving these battery cells. Given the severity of the situation, Chrysler’s advice to owners is clear: vehicles should be parked outside, away from any buildings, and should not be charged until the necessary repairs have been made. This warning highlights that the fire risk remains whether the vehicle is in use, parked, or connected to a charger.
Both Chrysler and LG Energy Solutions have been investigating the issue for several months. As of now, they have not definitively identified the root cause, according to filings with the NHTSA. Despite this ongoing uncertainty, Chrysler is implementing solutions that involve both software updates and hardware fixes.
Your local dealer will install the latest software on the battery pack control module, which will enhance monitoring for conditions that could lead to fires. Following the software update, a technician will inspect the battery packs and replace any that show defects. Furthermore, Chrysler is extending an unlimited duration and unlimited mileage warranty to customers who receive battery warning messages related to this specific issue.
