Fiat Chrysler Recalls Some Ram Pickups to Defend Against Hacks
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV is recalling about 1.4 million cars and trucks, including some 2015 Ram pickups, equipped with radios that are vulnerable to hacking.
The company already was distributing software to insulate connected vehicles from illegal remote manipulation after Wired magazine published a story about software programmers who were able to take over a Jeep Cherokee being driven on a Missouri highway.
The company said it is recalling the 1500, 2500 and 3500 version of the Ram pickup and reiterated that it is not aware of any real-world unauthorized remote hack into any of its vehicles.
It stressed that no defect was found and that it is conducting the campaign out of “an abundance of caution.”
Fiat Chrysler said July 23 it has blocked unauthorized remote access to certain vehicles systems via an over-the-air update.
The recall covers almost a million more models than those initially identified as needing a software patch.
The action includes 2015 versions of Ram pickups, Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee SUVs, Dodge Challenger sports coupes and Viper supercars.
