FCA Recalls 1.4 Million Vehicles To Prevent Hacking Vulnerability

The impact of the recent 2014 Jeep Cherokee hacking has elevated. FCA announced today that they are recalling 1.4 million vehicles due to a potential vulnerability to hackers. The recall is a software update and a voluntary recall. This recall is certainly a response to the very public Wired magazine video that showed that two computer security professionals could hack and completely control a 2014 Jeep Cherokee. According to a press release from FCA the following vehicles are subject to this software update recall:

• 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

This recall on the part of FCA is meant to take place on a consumer level. Consumers will be sent a USB with instructions on how to update their vehicle software using a dedicated website. This entire update is reportedly meant as a precautionary measure not due to an admitted defect. In a press release by FCA, the organization stated, “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…No defect has been found. FCA US is conducting this campaign out of an abundance of caution.” The company also furthermore stated the hack that took place in the Wired article was the result of very rare expertise. Their statement on that subject read in part, “The software manipulation addressed by this recall required unique and extensive technical knowledge, prolonged physical access to a subject vehicle and extended periods of time to write code.”

Despite FCA’s move to make their vehicle safer, not everyone thinks this large, voluntary recall is enough. U.S. Senator Ed Markey spoke out against FCA on his Facebook page. In a post just after the recall was announced, Markey reportedly wrote, “Fiat Chrysler just recalled 1.4 million vehicles for a security flaw they’ve know about for nine months. And there still aren’t reassurances that these are the only vehicles at risk of carjacking.” The comments from Senator Markey shouldn’t be surprising as he has been repeatedly critical of automakers and what he feels is their lack of measures to protect consumers from vehicle hacking.

Also issuing a statement about the recall of 1.4 million FCA vehicles was Edmunds.com consumer advice editor Ron Montoya. In emailed statement from Edmunds.com, Montoya wrote, “It’s important to reiterate that there is no real safety threat to FCA owners. This week’s hack was an isolated incident that was performed on one specific vehicle and it was not something that could be replicated on a mass scale. Nevertheless, automakers recognize this as a very important issue and they’re proactively working to identify flaws in their own connected systems and address whatever issues they may find.”

This story is still developing. We will keep you updated on developments and statements related to this story as details become available during the coming days and weeks.