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FCA to recall 318,000 vehicles for faulty backup camera software

An array of 2019 and 2020 FCA vehicles are being recalled over faulty backup camera software that doesn’t meet federal regulations. According to recall documents, the backup camera may not turn off “until a drive cycle ends.” ThatÂ’s far longer than the 10-second linger time allowed by the rules, so FCA has to recall all of the vehicles to implement a fix. WeÂ’ve listed all of the vehicles involved below. 2020 Jeep Gladiator 2020 Jeep Cherokee 2019-2020 Ram 1500 2019-2020 Ram 2500  2019-2020 Ram 3500 2019-2020 Chrysler Pacifica 2019-2020 Dodge Durango 2019-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2019-2020 Jeep Wrangler 2019-2020 Jeep Renegade 2019 Dodge Challenger ItÂ’s an extensive list encompassing a huge chunk of FCAÂ’s lineup in the United States. In total, FCA is recalling 318,537 vehicles. They must be equipped with the 8.4-inch or 12-inch infotainment system for the problem to present itself. FCA expects the recall to start on May 22 this year and will begin to notify owners soon. To fix the vehicles that may be affected, FCA plans to update the infotainment system at the dealer or over-the-air. If youÂ’ve noticed a screen thatÂ’s sluggish to relinquish its hold on the backup camera feed (or maybe never does), then you have this recall to look forward to. Update: FCA has provided additional information about the repair methodology. Customers will be able to receive an update over the air or have their cars updated at the dealership. Customers will begin receiving notifications this month. Related video: Recalls Chrysler Dodge Jeep Crossover Minivan/Van SUV

FCA issuing software update for 1.4M vehicles to prevent hacking

In the wake of a Jeep Cherokee being hacked remotely while on the road through its Uconnect infotainment system, FCA US is now issuing a software update for 1.4 million vehicles in the United States. Affected customers will receive a USB stick in the mail with the improved version; owners can check this website to see if their cars are affected. A large variety of models with FCA's 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system are affected. They include the 2015 Chrysler 200, 2015 Chrysler 300, 2015 Dodge Charger, and 2015 Dodge Challenger; 2013-2015 Dodge Viper; 2013-2015 Ram 1500, 2500, and 3500; 2013-2015 Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 chassis cab; 2014-2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee and Cherokee; and 2014-2015 Dodge Durango. According to FCA in its announcement, the new software "insulates connected vehicles from remote manipulation." As of July 23, the company also "fully tested and implemented within the cellular network" additional security to prevent access to many of a vehicle's systems. FCA US says that it's conducting this campaign out of an abundance of caution and disputes the notion that there's a defect with these vehicles. Beyond the demonstration of the hack in the Cherokee, the automaker says that it's unaware of any other reports of these attacks actually happening. Related Video: Statement: Software Update July 24, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to update software in approximately 1,400,000 U.S. vehicles equipped with certain radios. The recall aligns with an ongoing software distribution that insulates connected vehicles from remote manipulation, which, if unauthorized, constitutes criminal action. Further, FCA US has applied network-level security measures to prevent the type of remote manipulation demonstrated in a recent media report. These measures – which required no customer or dealer actions – block remote access to certain vehicle systems and were fully tested and implemented within the cellular network on July 23, 2015. The Company is unaware of any injuries related to software exploitation, nor is it aware of any related complaints, warranty claims or accidents – independent of the media demonstration.

Question of the Day: Most heinous act of badge engineering?

Badge engineering, in which one company slaps its emblems on another company's product and sells it, has a long history in the automotive industry. When Sears wanted to sell cars, a deal was made with Kaiser-Frazer and the Sears Allstate was born. Iranians wanted new cars in the 1960s, and the Rootes Group was happy to offer Hillman Hunters for sale as Iran Khodro Paykans. Sometimes, though, certain badge-engineered vehicles made sense only in the 26th hour of negotiations between companies. The Suzuki Equator, say, which was a puzzling rebadge job of the Nissan Frontier. How did that happen? My personal favorite what-the-heck-were-they-thinking example of badge engineering is the 1971-1973 Plymouth Cricket. Chrysler Europe, through its ownership of the Rootes Group, was able to ship over Hillman Avanger subcompacts for sale in the US market. This would have made sense... if Chrysler hadn't already been selling rebadged Mitsubishi Colt Galants (as Dodge Colts) and Simca 1100s as (Simca 1204s) in its American showrooms. Few bought the Cricket, despite its cheery ad campaign. So, what's the badge-engineered car you find most confounding? Chrysler Dodge Automakers Mitsubishi Nissan Suzuki Automotive History question of the day badge engineering question