Fiat Chrysler To Recall 1.4 Million Vehicles After Jeep Hack Goes Viral; USB Drives Will Update Software In Car Radio

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles is recalling 1.4 million Dodges, Jeeps, Rams and Chryslers after discovering that a software flaw in the cars’ radios makes them vulnerable to hackers. The announcement coincides with increasing scrutiny over the lack of cybersecurity in many of the most popular Internet of Things products.

Owners do not need to turn their vehicle into a dealer as part of the recall. Instead, FCA plans to send them a USB drive that, upon being plugged into the car, will update their security system, according to CNBC.

“The security of FCA US customers is a top priority, as is retaining their confidence in the Company’s products,” Fiat Chrysler said in a statement Friday. “Accordingly, FCA US has established a dedicated System Quality Engineering team focused on identifying and implementing best practices for software development and integration.”

The company said it’s not aware of any injuries that have occurred as a result of what it called “the software exploitation.”

This change comes only days after Wired magazine published a video of one of their journalists driving a Jeep as it was hacked on the highway. The security researchers who hacked the vehicle were able to turn on the moving vehicle’s windshield wipers, take control of the volume settings and ultimately steer the Jeep into a ditch.

The following vehicles are subject to the recall:

2013-2015 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 Chrysler 200, Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans
2015 Dodge Challenger sports coupes