Following recent demonstrations of how its cars can be hacked by computer programmers via the infotainment system, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has rushed a voluntary recall of some 1.4 million vehicles.
The purpose of the recall is for the ‘UConnect’ system to undergo security updates to prevent ‘remote manipulation’ and mitigate attempts to access vehicles remotely. This is in addition to “applied network-level security measures to prevent the type of remote manipulation demonstrated” by media.
FCA did, however, rush to say it is “conducting this campaign out of an abundance of caution. 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”.
Updates will be applied via a USB dongle, sent to customers, providing “additional security features independent of the network-level measures”.
A list of affected models were also released, all of which are US market vehicles. As previously reported, the issue does not apply to Australian models or in fact any of FCA’s vehicles sold outside the USA.
