Jeep to recall 161,000 Wranglers to retrofit "Hot Oil" warning

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Chrysler are recalling 161,450 2007 and 2008 model year Jeep Wranglers with automatic transmissions over a transmission fluid temperature warning system that was not activated on the vehicles.

To address the issue, Jeep dealers are instructed to install a program that shows a "Hot Oil" message in the instrument cluster, as well as a chime, should the transmission fluid reach an excessively high point.

The recall says that the too hot oil could cause a fire, although it is unclear whether any fires have occurred as a result of the lack of operator warning.

Owners of Wranglers built between June 2006 and July 2008 with the automatic transmission should receive notice soon from Jeep. Dealers will begin retrofitting the system in December, but concerned drivers can contact Chrysler at 1-800-835-1403 or NHTSA at 1-888-327-4236.