A concerning trend for drivers is emerging across the automotive industry. An increasing number of vehicle recalls now come with a stark warning to owners, “park outside and away from structures.”
Unlike many recalls that address issues affecting performance or safety while driving, these recalls involve the risk of a vehicle catching fire, sometimes even when the engine is turned off and the vehicle is parked. For homeowners, farmers, and rural property owners, the consequences can be especially serious if a vehicle is parked in an attached garage, machine shed, barn, or near other valuable equipment.
One of the largest recent examples involves Stellantis, which has recalled more than one million Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator vehicles worldwide due to a potential electrical fault that can overheat and lead to a fire. The recall affects 2021 to 2025 model-year vehicles. In Canada alone, approximately 106,258 Jeep vehicles are subject to the recall, and owners have been advised to park their vehicles outdoors and away from buildings until repairs can be completed.
The Jeep recall is only the latest in a growing list of “park outside” advisories issued by automakers in recent years. Similar warnings have accompanied recalls involving battery systems, electrical components, engine faults, and hybrid vehicle systems.
For rural landowners, these recalls highlight the importance of paying close attention to safety notices. A vehicle fire can spread quickly to homes, garages, barns, livestock facilities, and stored crops or equipment. Many rural properties also house multiple vehicles and machines in close proximity, increasing the potential for extensive property damage.
Landowners are encouraged to:
- Check regularly for outstanding recalls on all owned vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and farm-related vehicles.
- Register with manufacturers to receive recall notifications.
- Follow all recall instructions immediately, particularly “park outside” advisories.
- Avoid parking recalled vehicles in garages, barns, machine sheds, or near combustible materials until repairs are completed.
- Schedule recall repairs as soon as remedies become available.
Vehicle manufacturers are legally required to correct safety-related defects at no cost to owners. In most cases, repairs can be performed by an authorized dealership once replacement parts or repair procedures are available.
While the Carney Liberals have scrapped their Soviet-style EV sales mandate, they are still pushing ahead with stricter emissions regulations to force an end to the sale of most internal combustion engines. Combined with taxpayer subsidies for EVs, Liberal policies will put more and more of these vehicles into our communities. It is vital that rural community firefighters, mechanics, and tow truck operators are trained and equipped to handle the increase in EV car fires.