Chrysler is warning owners of 2017-2018 Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) minivans to park them away from structures and stop plugging them in to charge while the automaker investigates the cause of a series of fires.
The move isn’t a recall, yet. Chrysler hasn’t confirmed the cause of the fires, so it doesn’t yet have a fix ready that will stop them. Instead, it’s asking owners not to plug the vehicles in to charge, and to park them away from structures. Chrysler says an internal investigation identified 12 fires connected to Pacifica PHEVs. In eight cases, the minivans were plugged in and charging at the time.
The company has not asked owners to stop driving the vehicles. PHEVs pair an internal combustion engine with an EV-like battery and electric motors. So, owners can still drive the vehicles like gasoline-powered cars without recharging them.
“The remedy, when developed, will be provided free of charge, and affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service,” Chrysler said in a statement.
