Table of contents
- Latest Jeep Gladiator Lawsuit Updates
- September 29, 2026: NHTSA Closes Fire Investigation
- July 6, 2026: Judge Denies Arbitration in Teuber Suit
- June 9, 2026: Stellantis Announces Worldwide Jeep Recall
- June 4, 2026: FCA US Files Recall Report 26V363
- April 9, 2025: FCA US Moves to Dismiss Graves Class Action
- March 7, 2025: Bell Class Action Reported
- January 14, 2025: Paris Class Action Adds Grand Cherokee
- November 7, 2024: Graves Class Action Filed in Michigan
- September 6, 2024: NHTSA Opens Preliminary Evaluation PE24-024
- January 26, 2023: Detroit Free Press Reports Death Wobble Settlement
- What Is the Electric Hydraulic Power Steering Pump?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Is There a Jeep Gladiator Lawsuit?
- Which Jeep Gladiators Are Being Recalled?
- What Does the Research Say About Jeep Power Steering Pump Fires?
- How Has FCA US Responded to the Graves Lawsuit?
- What Is the Teuber Jeep Gladiator Fire Lawsuit?
- Does the Death Wobble Settlement Cover the Jeep Gladiator?
Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Wrangler owners have sued FCA US LLC over a power steering pump connection that may overheat and start underhood fires. Plaintiffs allege the fires can happen even when the vehicle is parked and turned off.
Three proposed class actions and one individual suit have been filed in Michigan federal court. No MDL has been formed, and the fire claims have not settled.
NHTSA recall 26V363 covers 1,076,999 vehicles from model years 2021-2025, and the repair is free. FCA US disputes the Graves claims.
Latest Jeep Gladiator Lawsuit Updates
September 29, 2026: NHTSA Closes Fire Investigation
MoparInsiders reported that NHTSA closed Preliminary Evaluation PE24-024 into Jeep Gladiator and Jeep Wrangler underhood fires after FCA US issued its recall in June 2026 [1].
NHTSA found the recall addresses the defect it was investigating. It said it will keep monitoring vehicles in the field.
July 6, 2026: Judge Denies Arbitration in Teuber Suit
A federal judge in the Eastern District of Michigan denied FCA US’s motion to compel arbitration in the Teuber suit [2]. Carscoops reported the order on August 18, 2026.
The couple allege their leased 2022 Gladiator caught fire while parked in July 2024. The allegations remain to be proven.
June 9, 2026: Stellantis Announces Worldwide Jeep Recall
Stellantis announced a recall of more than 1.3 million Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles worldwide over a power steering pump wiring fire risk [3].
The recall includes nearly 1.08 million vehicles in the United States and 106,000 in Canada. Another 23,000 are in Mexico, and about 125,000 are in other markets.
June 4, 2026: FCA US Files Recall Report 26V363
FCA US filed its Part 573 safety recall report with NHTSA for recall 26V363 [4]. The recall covers 1,076,999 vehicles from model years 2021-2025, including 289,112 Jeep Gladiators.
The company’s own number for the recall is 21D. The report ties the problem to an electrical connection at the power steering pump. Dealers were notified on or about June 11, 2026.
April 9, 2025: FCA US Moves to Dismiss Graves Class Action
CarComplaints reported that FCA US had moved to dismiss the Graves power steering pump fire class action in Michigan federal court. It also moved to compel arbitration [5]. FCA US said 18 plaintiffs are “fear only” plaintiffs.
FCA US also argues the plaintiffs rushed to file two months after NHTSA opened its investigation. These are only the company’s arguments in the case.
March 7, 2025: Bell Class Action Reported
CarComplaints reported a new class action, Nikki Bell v. FCA US LLC, in the Eastern District of Michigan [6]. Bell followed the Graves suit over the same pump fire risk.
The suit concerns power steering pump electrical connectors in 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles, the same models as Graves. The Bell plaintiff claims “diminished resale or trade-in value.”
January 14, 2025: Paris Class Action Adds Grand Cherokee
Carscoops reported that Stan Paris filed a proposed class action against FCA US in the Eastern District of Michigan [7].
The suit covers 2020-2024 Jeep Wrangler, 2021-2023 Jeep Gladiator and 2022-2024 Jeep Grand Cherokee models. It targets the same power steering pump fire risk as the Graves case, so it adds Grand Cherokee owners to the group.
November 7, 2024: Graves Class Action Filed in Michigan
Graves et al. v. FCA US LLC was filed as a proposed class action in the Eastern District of Michigan. The case number is 2:24-cv-12968, and Judge Judith E. Levy is assigned.
It concerns power steering pump fire risk in 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles. It is the earliest of the fire class actions, and the Paris and Bell suits followed it.
September 6, 2024: NHTSA Opens Preliminary Evaluation PE24-024
According to the Part 573 report, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened Preliminary Evaluation PE24-024 into engine compartment fires on 2021-2023 Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator vehicles.
January 26, 2023: Detroit Free Press Reports Death Wobble Settlement
The Detroit Free Press reported a proposed class action settlement over the Jeep “death wobble” for 2018-2020 Wranglers and 2020 Gladiators [8]. It includes a warranty extension for steering damper repairs.
The proposed Reynolds v. FCA US settlement was preliminarily approved. Six named plaintiffs would receive $4,000 each and their attorneys $3,950,000 [9].
What Is the Electric Hydraulic Power Steering Pump?
The Part 573 report says the Electric Hydraulic Power Steering Pump (EHPSP) is the part at issue, and NHTSA’s park-outside warning calls the problem a risk of fire, even when the recalled vehicles are turned off [10].
The report says “high resistance electrical activity may take place in the area of the EHPSP connection causing overheating of combustible materials.”
Who May Be Affected?
The recall covers 2021-2025 Jeep Wrangler vehicles built June 24, 2020 through December 2, 2024. Gladiator vehicles from the same model years were built from August 18, 2020.
The Teuber suit involves a Gladiator parked about 10 feet from an attached garage. The recall report says some customers may notice a loss of power steering assist or a “Service Power Steering” warning.
Whether a Jeep owner or lessee qualifies for any claim depends on an individual legal review of the facts of their own vehicle, purchase and fire.
Reported Injuries or Damages
Plaintiffs allege property damage and loss of a vehicle to fire. In Teuber, the couple say the fire damaged the garage door and trim and destroyed the truck and its contents. The Bell plaintiff also claims monitoring costs.
Regulator and company reports are separate from those allegations. NHTSA’s park-outside warning says it is aware of 51 fires and one injury that are likely due to this issue.
As of May 18, 2026, FCA US reported no accidents and one injury potentially related to the issue, according to the Part 573 report.
The report says FCA US learned the pump header was made out of specified tolerances, producing insertion forces above the specification. In April of 2026, FCA US confirmed a loose connection will melt and could lead to a fire.
Recall and Regulatory Background
Recall 26V363 covers 787,887 Wranglers and 289,112 Gladiators. The remedy is inspection and repair or replacement of affected parts at no charge.
Owner letters began on or about July 9, 2026. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and other vehicles until repaired. A recall does not establish liability in the lawsuits.
Evidence to Preserve
Owners with a Jeep fire or a recall repair can keep these records to document the vehicle, the damage and the costs:
- The vehicle identification number, plus your lease or purchase papers showing when you got the Jeep.
- Repair and service records, recall notices and owner letters you received from FCA US or a dealer.
- Photographs and video of any smoke, melting or fire damage to the vehicle, garage or home.
- Fire department reports and insurance reports covering the incident and any claim you filed.
- Repair estimates and records of costs such as alternate parking or towing.
Filing Deadlines
Filing deadlines come from state law. They vary with where the owner lives and when the fire, injury or damage happened.
A late filing can end a claim even when the facts are strong, so a vehicle owner should speak with a lawyer promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Jeep Gladiator Lawsuit?
Yes, there is a Jeep Gladiator lawsuit. The Teuber suit concerns a fire on July 5, 2024 and seeks damages under product-liability, negligence, warranty and Illinois consumer-fraud laws. Graves, Bell and Paris are separate proposed class actions.
Which Jeep Gladiators Are Being Recalled?
Owners of a recalled Jeep Gladiator can check a VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether it is covered, call FCA customer service at 800-853-1403 or visit recalls.mopar.com. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline is 888-327-4236.
What Does the Research Say About Jeep Power Steering Pump Fires?
Research on Jeep power steering pump fires in the recall filing shows 72 field reports known to FCA US as of May 18, 2026, and 35 were confirmed to originate at the EHPSP interface. It names Dare Auto Inc. as the component maker.
How Has FCA US Responded to the Graves Lawsuit?
FCA US responded to the Graves lawsuit by pointing to the amended complaint’s count of 13 fires among 781,459 vehicles. The complaint names four plaintiffs who allege fires, and FCA US calls the other plaintiffs fear-only plaintiffs.
What Is the Teuber Jeep Gladiator Fire Lawsuit?
The Teuber Jeep Gladiator fire lawsuit is an individual suit by Sandra and James Teuber of Bull Valley, Illinois. They allege the truck, leased in September 2022, burned in front of their home, and they sued in early 2025.
Does the Death Wobble Settlement Cover the Jeep Gladiator?
The proposed death wobble settlement would cover 2020 Jeep Gladiators and 2018-2020 Wranglers. It would give an extended warranty for a failed front suspension steering damper for eight years or 90,000 miles from first service.