Chrysler is asking owners of 19,516 Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid minivans from the 2017-2021 model years to park their vehicles outside and not recharge their batteries due to fire risk. The automaker plans a recall to fix a battery problem.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration hasn’t yet published information about the recall, but Chrysler has announced it early.
The company says “a rare abnormality in individual cells of the model’s high-voltage battery pack” may have contributed to at least seven vehicle fires. “All occurred when the vehicles were turned off; some occurred while recharging.” The company says it is aware of four customers who “reported symptoms consistent with smoke inhalation” but is not aware of any accidents related to the issue.
The company is still developing a remedy for the problem. But Chrysler says, “It involves a software update designed to detect the abnormality; if found, dealers will replace the vehicle’s high-voltage battery free of charge.”
Some of the vehicles may already have received a software update, but Chrysler anticipates they will need another.
Recall repairs are always free. Manufacturers attempt to contact every owner, but they don’t always get to reach them all. Find out if your car needs any recall repairs at our recall center.
