Jeeps Rendered Inoperable on the Road Following Failed OTA Software Update | Carscoops
A Wrangler owner reported that his SUV suddenly lost power while traveling at 70 mph, nearly resulting in a collision with an oncoming 18-wheeler.
6 hours ago
By Brad Anderson
Wrangler 4xes have been stalling while in motion following a recent update.
Stellantis promptly initiated an investigation and has provided a solution for the issue.
Some owners are contemplating legal action against Stellantis.
It’s not uncommon for over-the-air software updates to encounter some minor issues, but Jeep’s latest effort this past weekend exceeded typical problems. The company issued an OTA update for the Wrangler that, as reported by owners, not only malfunctioned but also posed a significant safety hazard.
Certain drivers have claimed their vehicles became completely inoperable after applying the update, while others report their Wranglers shutting off unexpectedly during operation.
How It Began
Reports about the problematic update began surfacing earlier this week. A post on the 4xe Forums from one owner indicated he performed the update and the next morning tried to drive it around the block.
However, halfway through the drive, the engine stopped suddenly, a check engine light illuminated, and a “Shift to Park” notification appeared on the instrument panel.
Read: Thousands Of Wranglers Recalled Over An Assembly Issue
On Reddit, another owner described an even more alarming experience. They were driving at 65 mph on the highway when their Wrangler 4xe unexpectedly began to decelerate, displaying the same “Shift to Park” message on the dashboard.
The owner recounted narrowly avoiding a “major accident” after having to switch across four lanes to pull over to the side. A YouTuber also replicated the issues experienced by others, mentioning that he found himself unable to shift out of drive at one point.
Stellantis' Reacts and Cautions
Jeep quickly became aware of the problems stemming from the over-the-air update, and a representative from the Stellantis Social Engagement Team posted on the 4xe Forums to advise owners to be cautious about completing the update.
“Please be extremely careful this evening if you have completed the update. If you have NOT completed the update and see the notification, please continue to defer so the update does not go through,” they advised.
Moreover, they stated, “For a telematics box module update, you can indefinitely defer it, and it will expire in 30 days.” At the time of this initial posting, Jeep suggested avoiding driving in hybrid or electric modes, but some owners indicated they were still facing issues in gas mode.
According to one forum participant, it’s “highly unacceptable” for Jeep to have released an update like this without adequate testing.
“I almost had a serious incident on the freeway when it malfunctioned, and I’m relieved it didn’t lead to a larger crash with an 18-wheeler behind me, which managed to change lanes at the last moment because my Jeep stalled, locked its hand brake, and jolted so violently that my face nearly hit the steering wheel at 70 mph,” they shared.
Posts from the jeep4xe community on Reddit
Jeep Provides a Fix but Advises Caution
Shortly after the automaker acknowledged the issue, it revealed a solution. Owners are instructed to park in an area with good cellular reception and keep the vehicle running for at least 10 minutes. Then, they can turn it off and back on to resolve the issue.
The manufacturer also stated it is supporting customers whose vehicles have been towed to dealerships and will cover the associated costs.
Currently, Jeep’s official recommendation is to allow the over-the-air update to finish while the vehicle is parked at home, followed by running the engine for roughly twenty minutes to ensure the fix downloads correctly. While owners are understandably cautious, the company asserts that the update is safe to install once the corrections are in place.
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Jeeps Rendered Inoperable on the Road Following Failed OTA Software Update | Carscoops
A Wrangler owner reported that his SUV unexpectedly lost power while traveling at 70 mph, almost resulting in a collision with an approaching 18-wheeler.