The affected models can catch fire while parked
At least 12 fires have been reported
Only the 2017 and 2018 models are recalled
Chrysler is recalling 19,808 units of the 2017 and 2018 Pacifica Hybrid, which is the only plug-in hybrid minivan on the market.
The affected vehicles are at risk of catching fire while they are parked, either while charging or not. 12 instances of fires have already been reported, all without injuries.
Investigations into these fires determined that they all started when the vehicle was turned off, but only 8 of the 12 took place when the battery was charging.
The cause of the problem is still under investigation and a solution has yet to be implemented. While the engineers are working on a fix, the automaker asks owners to not charge their Pacifica PHEV and to park them away from structures and other vehicles. The company says it is safe to drive the affected vehicles using their gasoline engine however.
This is not without similarities to the massive recall that was issued for the Chevrolet Bolt EV during the middle of last year. Production of the electric sub-compact still hasn’t restarted after being idled back in August of 2021 due to a risk of fire when charging.
Curiously, the same company, LG Chem, supplies the batteries for the Bolt and for the Pacifica PHEV. The South Korean supplier refused to comment on the situation involving Stellantis, other than to say that there is no proof their battery is responsible.
Since no fix has been found yet, 16,741 drivers in the United States, 2,317 in Canada and 750 outside of North America will have to comply with the guidelines released by the automaker for a while before their vehicle can be fixed free of charge.
