Fiat-Chrysler Recalls 1.4M Vehicles Over Software Vulnerability

Jeep Grand Cherokee, one of the cars affected by the vulnerability. Photo courtesy of Fiat-Chrysler

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By MARC TORRENCE (Patch National Staff)

Fiat-Chrysler announced it is recalling 1.4 million vehicles over a software vulnerability that could allow hackers to remotely break into certain cars and control their steering wheels from afar.

The voluntary safety recall does not apply to specific car models, but rather cars containing Uconnect radio systems.

The hack was exposed in a recent Wired article, where authors were able to break into a car’s Uconnect radio and control basic things like the air conditioning, the radio and, eventually, the steering.

Uconnect is a special type of car radio that uses internet connectivity to give users access to GPS, internet radio and more.

Fiat-Chrysler said in a statement that it is not aware of any injuries related to that software vulnerbility.

It said that it has ”applied network-level security measures to prevent the type of remote manipulation demonstrated in a recent media report.” Those security measures were tested an implemented Thursday with owners not having to do anything.

But, if owners want to take additional security steps, they can request a recall here, and if they qualify, they will receive a USB drive to install even more safety features.

Cars that included the specific radio included:

• 2013-2015 MY Dodge Viper specialty vehicles
• 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500 and 3500 pickups
• 2013-2015 Ram 3500, 4500, 5500 Chassis Cabs
• 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Cherokee SUVs
• 2014-2015 Dodge Durango SUVs
• 2015 MY Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans
• 2015 Dodge Challenger sports coupes

Fiat-Chrysler also assured that the type of software hack in the Wired article ”required unique and extensive technical knowledge, prolonged physical access to a subject vehicle and extended periods of time to write code.”

• Also see:
• Recall: Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango
• How To Find Out If Your Air Bags Are Part Of Massive Recall
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