Jeep owners across South Africa are being urged to check whether their vehicles are affected by a newly announced safety recall, after an electrical fault was identified that could cause a loss of power-steering assistance and potentially result in a vehicle fire.
The recall affects 1,896 Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles, of which 1,881 were sold nationally.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, 3 November 2026, the National Consumer Commission (NCC) confirmed that Stellantis South Africa had initiated the recall involving vehicles made available for sale between 2021 and 2025.
The safety concern centres on the vehicles’ Electric Hydraulic Power Steering Pump (EHPS), which may have an electrical connection susceptible to high resistance.
According to the NCC, the fault could trigger a dashboard warning indicating a loss of power-steering assistance or display a “Service Power Steering” message.
However, the potential loss of steering assistance is not the only concern.
Under certain circumstances, the electrical resistance could generate excessive heat around the power-steering pump connection, potentially causing nearby combustible materials to overheat and ignite.
This creates a possible fire hazard, placing both vehicle occupants and people outside the vehicle at risk of injury.
Although the regulator has identified a potential fire risk, its announcement does not specify whether any fires or injuries involving the affected vehicles have been reported in South Africa.
The NCC has consequently urged affected motorists to take their vehicles to an authorised Jeep dealership for inspection and the necessary corrective work.
Importantly, the inspection and any required recall repairs will be carried out free of charge.
Motorists who own a Jeep Wrangler or Gladiator purchased during the affected period can determine whether their vehicle is included in the recall by checking its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
The VIN is a unique identification number assigned to each vehicle and can generally be found on the vehicle’s documentation or on the vehicle itself.
Owners can use the VIN-checking facility available through Jeep South Africa’s official recall website or contact an authorised Jeep dealership for assistance.
While the recall affects certain Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles, it does not mean that every vehicle of these models sold between 2021 and 2025 is necessarily affected.
Motorists are therefore encouraged to verify their individual vehicles rather than relying solely on the model name or year of purchase.
The NCC has also made provision for consumers seeking further information about the recall, with enquiries directed to [email protected].
With the identified defect potentially affecting both steering assistance and fire safety, owners of affected vehicles are encouraged to arrange the necessary inspection and repairs without delay.
Whilst here, be sure to read: Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrids Recalled in South Africa Over Power Loss Risk
