US investigating 781K Jeeps over underhood fire reports (Wrangler & Gladiator) -- power steering pump electrical connector issue

[Mr._Bill]

No word of a recall?

https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls/search.html

There won't be a recall unless they determine there is a specific issue that needs addressed. It is the beginning of the investigation, it could be years.

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[whysoserious]

Or for that matter, Wranglers back to 2018?

There has to have been some manufacturing change of either the install method, parts used and/or material spec.

Looks to apply to 2021-2023 Wrangler as well.

 

[legacy_etu]

I watched the video and I see the problem: the tag on the pump says “made in China”

 

[MrBones]

Can it happen when things are cold? Or should a guy disconnect the battery and wait for more info?

From what I've read here there's always voltage present at the motor terminals but there won't be any heat generated unless the pump is running. Questions I would have are:

What is the temperature rating of the wire insulation?
Does the cable assembly rub on anything from vibration that would cause insulation failure?
What is the root cause of the fire? The article only said "under hood fires originating at the electrical connector of the power steering pump". What actually failed?

 

[WILDHOBO]

From what I've read here there's always voltage present at the motor terminals but there won't be any heat generated unless the pump is running. Questions I would have are:

What is the temperature rating of the wire insulation?
Does the cable assembly rub on anything from vibration that would cause insulation failure?
What is the root cause of the fire? The article only said "under hood fires originating at the electrical connector of the power steering pump". What actually failed?

My guess is that when the pump is on, it heats up and slowly compromises the insulation and wire loom on the top of the pump. In a failure, I’m guessing the positive wire touches negative, and then fire.

 

[Cburd61]

Could it possibly be similar to the issues Ford had with their brake master cylinders back in the 80’s and later? There was a seal where the plug connected, that would fail. The brake fluid would short the connector out, causing a fire. I lost a ‘90 Bronco because of the issue, that had been recalled but never fixed. (Bought it used at almost 20 years old). I found that out after the fact. Unfortunately, mine burned up around 2010, so I was out of luck. Pic included. Had it about 10 hours. It had never been farther than 5 miles from the original owners home its whole life. I put 100 or so miles on it the day I bought it. I guess it never got hot enough to ignite it until I got it.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Here you go y’all, taken from underneath. My truck is an early 2023 with 10,000 miles.

 

[Gvsukids]

Here you go y’all, taken from underneath. My truck is an early 2023 with 10,000 miles.

Looks so clean

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Looks so clean

I am, um, well let’s just say I am very particular about keeping my vehicles clean

 

[wachuko]

Here you go y’all, taken from underneath. My truck is an early 2023 with 10,000 miles.

Dude! That was not easy to photograph!! Here is a photo of mine (2024 Gladiator)

 

[Jrgunn5150]

I watched the video and I see the problem: the tag on the pump says “made in China”

Every single tool that made the entire Jeep and 80% of the check fixtures that checked them came from China.

 

[RHINO79]

From above.

 

[RHINO79]

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Dude! That was not easy to photograph!! Here is a photo of mine (2024 Gladiator)

For real!

OK, so this is interesting. I don’t see any difference between the 23 and 24. So why the cutoff? Hmmmm

 

[RHINO79]

Agree I had my 23 and 24 side by side yesterday compared them, they look the same.

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