Hybrid Vans Recalled Over Fire Danger

Owners of about 20,000 Chrysler minivans are being urged to park them outside, uncharged and away from structures and other objects due to fire risk.

The 2017 to 2021 Pacifica plug-in hybrids are being recalled while the carmaker prepares a repair remedy. It had found evidence of seven fires among the recalled vans when they were turned off, some of them during recharging.

Though the company says it’s unaware of any accidents related to the issue, it said four people reported “symptoms consistent with smoke inhalation.”

Some of the vans in question may have previously got similar software updates, Stellantis said, pointing out that later models were made under an improved process.

It said the problem appears to be connected to a “rare abnormality” in the vans’ battery cells. Since fire risk is diminished when the battery is uncharged, the carmaker is warning owners to refrain from recharging until their vans are repaired.

The carmaker was in the process of finalizing a repair remedy involving a software update to locate the battery issue in vans where it presents. Dealers will replace batteries in affected vans.

Owners can check whether their vans are included in the recall after July 24. The recall includes an additional 2,900 vans in Canada and about 1,700 outside North America.

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