Skip to main content

An update reportedly bricks Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep vehicles with Uconnect

It seems things are going a bit awry over in Fiat Chrysler Automobiles world. A new report surfaced as owners of new vehicles from FCA’s portfolios equipped with Uconnect infotainment systems are having software issues.

Over the weekend, Jalopnik reported hearing about problematic issues from owners of new Dodge, Chrysler, and Jeep vehicles equipped with Uconnect. Apparently, without warning, many owners of said vehicles began experiencing constant reboots after an over-the-air software update released on Friday, February 9. Yet, instead of fixing bugs or improving performance, the update reportedly bricked Uconnect, causing constant reboots every 30 to 45 seconds.

Related Videos

The issue is apparently isolated to model year cars equipped with Uconnect between 2017 and 2018.

The storm began brewing when owners of new model Jeeps, Chryslers, and Dodges took to Twitter to express their dismay about the constant reboots over the last few days. So all weekend, many owners had to do without not just the radio, but other key functions like satellite navigation and rear-view cameras. Because a car’s infotainment system also plays the role as a major central control point for various other features, you can imagine this caused some considerable grief.

Can you imagine how frustrating this could be as an owner of a new Uconnect-equipped FCA car?

While owners expressed their troubles all weekend, it was only yesterday that FCA’s Uconnect Twitter account, UconnectCares, issued its first “statement” via a tweet:

Making matters worse, however, is that it’s been four days since the OTA release and owners began experiencing issues. And yet, there still isn’t a reported fix for the issue. Engineers within FCA’s team are currently working to resolve the issue and hopefully, send out a new update to remedy the bricked Uconnect systems.

We reached out to FCA for a statement and update as to when this issue could see resolve and when owners could regain control of their Uconnect systems.

Editors' Recommendations

Former Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne dies at 66
fca boss sergio marchionne steps down due to health problems dies 66

Former Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO Sergio Marchionne has died at 66, the company confirmed in a statement. Marchionne resigned from his position on July 21, less than a year before he was scheduled to retire, due to significant complications following shoulder surgery. The automaker's board of management appointed Mike Manley, who previously ran the Jeep and Ram divisions, as Marchionne's replacement during an emergency meeting.

Outspoken and influential, Marchionne had surgery on his right shoulder in early July. His recovery took an unexpected turn for the worse on July 21. Though FCA never released specific information about Marchionne's health, Italian publication Lettera43 wrote he suffered a stroke during an operation to remove a tumor and fell into a coma. Doctors speaking off the record called his condition -- and the brain damage caused by the stroke -- irreversible.

Read more
Chrysler may shift its focus to shared vehicles and mobility services
Chrysler Portal Concept, CES 2017

Despite top billing in the name of parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the Chrysler brand's future is uncertain. Chrysler only sells two cars in the United States, and plans for future models are hazy. But FCA may have a plan for Chrysler, and it may involve shifting the historic brand to focus on shared vehicles, reports Autocar.

Chrysler didn't warrant a mention in FCA's new five-year plan, which primarily focused on Jeep, Ram, and the automaker's Italian brands. But Waymo recently announced that it would buy up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans (it already has 600) for conversion into self-driving cars. This could be the future direction of the Chrysler brand.

Read more
New tech protects police officers in parked Charger Pursuit vehicles from ambush
1127843 autosave v1 dodge charger pursuit

FCA announced a technology that will enhance safety for police officers working in parked vehicles. The Officer Protection Package detects movement behind police vehicles using cameras and radar and warns the driver. The plan is to implement the module in all 2017 Dodge Charger Pursuit law enforcement vehicles, which are the best-selling high-performance police vehicles in the U.S.

The new feature comes from a collaboration between FCA US and InterMotive Inc. of California. It will be provided at no cost to law enforcement agencies.

Read more