Hundreds of Hybrid Vehicles Recalled Due to Sudden Power Loss

Defect can cause vehicles to unexpectedly stop moving, increasing crash risk

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Hundreds of thousands of hybrid vehicles from major automakers like Honda, Jeep, Toyota, and Ford have been recalled nationwide due to a defect that can cause the sudden loss of power while driving. The issue has led to lawsuits and concerns about the safety of early-generation hybrid technology.

Why it matters

The sudden loss of power in hybrid vehicles poses a serious safety risk, as drivers could lose acceleration and control of the vehicle while on the road. This raises questions about the reliability and safety of hybrid technology, especially as automakers rush to electrify their lineups.

The details

The recalls cite a range of causes, including software errors, overloaded battery packs, and loose bolts. Experts say many of the issues may stem from the core hybrid technology used across manufacturers. The defect can trigger a failsafe that shuts the vehicle down, leaving drivers without acceleration and increasing the risk of a crash.

  • In the summer of 2025, Peej Phillips' wife experienced a sudden loss of power while driving the family's Jeep Grand Cherokee hybrid on the highway.
  • In early 2026, automakers have issued recalls for hundreds of thousands of hybrid vehicles, including about 256,000 Honda Accord hybrids, 91,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrids, 51,000 Toyota Camry hybrids, and 3,700 Toyota Corolla Cross hybrids.

The players

Peej Phillips

A Chicago-area resident who leased a Jeep Grand Cherokee hybrid and experienced the sudden loss of power issue, leading him to file a lawsuit against the automaker.

Mohammad Shadmand

An assistant professor at the University of Illinois Chicago and an expert in hybrid motors, who explained that the issues with hybrid vehicles may stem from the core technology used across manufacturers.

Jeep

An automaker that has recalled about 91,000 2022-2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee plug-in hybrid electric vehicles due to a defect that can cause the sudden loss of drive power.

Honda

An automaker that has recalled about 256,000 2023-2025 Honda Accord hybrids due to the sudden loss of drive power issue.

Toyota

An automaker that has recalled about 51,000 2025-2026 Toyota Camry hybrids and 3,700 2026 Toyota Corolla Cross hybrids due to the sudden loss of drive power issue.

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What they’re saying

“We were talking on Bluetooth, and she was like, 'Oh my gosh, the car just turned off and the dashboard lit up.' She still had steering control and could brake, but she had no acceleration and had to merge from the left lane to the right lane.”

— Peej Phillips (nbcchicago.com)

“The basic components and the basic technology are the same. They may be put together differently, but the source of failure for many of them could be similar.”

— Mohammad Shadmand, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Chicago (nbcchicago.com)

“Any loose wire or loose bolt can create high resistance, which creates heat. That heat could cause a fire.”

— Mohammad Shadmand, Assistant Professor, University of Illinois Chicago (nbcchicago.com)

What’s next

The judge in Peej Phillips' lawsuit against Jeep will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the automaker to dismiss the case.

The takeaway

This recall crisis highlights the need for automakers to thoroughly test and validate their hybrid technologies before mass-producing them, as well as the importance of swift and effective recalls to address safety issues. Consumers should be vigilant about checking for recalls and scheduling repairs promptly to mitigate the risks of sudden power loss in their hybrid vehicles.