Chrysler recalls about 24,000 Pacifica PHEVs, says stop charging and park outside

• Chrysler issued a recall for about 24,000 2017 to 2021 Pacifica plug-in hybrid minivans
• The recall stems from a difficulty fire risk to due a battery-cell abnormality
• A free software update will likely be issued to repair the difficulty, but owners are asked to stop charging and park outside until the update

Stellantis on Thursday recalled about 24,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in hybrid minivans globally as a consequence of a hearth risk.

Reuters reports that Stellantis is advising owners of the affected vehicles to park outside and away from structures, and to avoid charging pending a software update to handle the difficulty, which the automaker said was linked to a battery-cell abnormality.

The recall population includes Pacifica Hybrids from model years 2017 to 2021, including about 19,500 vehicles within the U.S., about 3,000 in Canada, and 1,700 outside North America. The Pacifica Hybrid is the only plug-in hybrid minivan on sale within the U.S., while the Pacifica itself is the one Chrysler-badged vehicle currently in production.

Stellantis is reportedly aware of seven incidents related to this issue, which occurred while the vehicle was turned off and, in some cases, while charging. 4 customers also reported symptoms consistent with smoke inhalation, in response to Reuters. The automaker believes the danger of fireside is lower when the battery charge is depleted.

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Stellantis is working on a software update to detect the battery abnormality identified as the basis reason behind this issue. The automaker will notify customers when the update is prepared, in addition to when to have their minivans’ battery packs inspected and if, essential, replaced by dealers freed from charge.

This is not the primary time Stellantis has recalled Pacifica Hybrid minivans and cautioned owners to refrain from charging. In 2022, the automaker recalled nearly 20,000 of the plug-in hybrids from model years 2017 and 2018 as a consequence of fire risk, releasing a fix later that yr. The Pacifica Hybrid was also recalled as a consequence of fire risk in 2020, but this time as a consequence of a fault with the 12-volt accessory battery connection.