Angry Drivers Claim the Jeep Wrangler 4xe Fails During Winter
Oh no, winter strikes again, and this time it’s targeting the Jeep Wrangler 4xe! We’ve heard about electric vehicles losing their charge, but the 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is a plug-in hybrid. However, it doesn’t matter to Old Man Winter, and the 4xe is having trouble.
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe loses its charge in cold weather
Owners of the 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe are getting pretty irritated as cold weather impacts its ability to drive with an electric charge. In fact, the Drive pointed out that drivers feel misled because the EV mode is supposed to work at all times.
The vehicle’s fresh oil and refresh mode (FORM) could be keeping the internal combustion engine consistently engages during colder temperatures. This prevents the Wrangler 4xe from running on electricity alone.
Keller Rohrback, a law firm in Seattle, is gathering information about the Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe and Wrangler 4xe for a possible lawsuit.
Allegedly, drivers claim that their Jeep Wrangler 4xe modes can’t achieve 21 to 25 mpg miles of battery-only power during colder months like the manufacturer claims. Drivers paid a premium for this vehicle but may have been subjected to false advertising.
How does the Wrangler 4xe FORM cycle work?
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe FORM cycle is similar to the regular setup found in various hybrid vehicles. It keeps the gaskets and seals warm, so they’re expanded to prevent gasoline from mixing with the oil.
It does this by firing the internal combustion engine in short bursts to help it achieve normal operating temperatures. It’s common for oil and gasoline to mix in internal combustion engines, but the heat causes a minuscule amount of gas to evaporate.
However, plug-in hybrid vehicles such as the Jeep Wrangler 4xe can operate for extended periods of time without the internal combustion engine being engaged. But this isn’t the case in frigid northern states.
Drivers are making modifications to their 4xe models to help retain heat. You can block off the grille cover or use the Mopar specialized grille cover to keep the oil warm.
Maintaining an oil temperature of about 192 degrees for about 20 minutes is key, but this is proving to be problematic in extreme winter conditions.
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine that’s paired with two electric motors and a battery pack to generate 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. It should provide an EPA-estimated electric range of 22 miles and about 49 MPGe.
How much does the 2023 Wrangler 4xe cost?
The 2023 Jeep Wrangler 4xe price starts at $54,735, and the range-topping 4xe Rubicon trim takes the cost up to $60,585. These prices are the MSRPs and don’t include the $1,595 destination fee.
On a positive note, the Wrangler 4xe could still qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit. But drivers are still paying a lot for the promise of up to 25 miles of electric range. They may only save on fuel during warmer parts of the year.
But you can still enjoy other aspects of the 2023 Wrangler 4xe during the cold. For example, it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in about 5.5 seconds and ford water up to 31.5 inches deep. Stay tuned for the latest updates about this potential lawsuit.
