FCA recalls more than 4.8 million vehicles to upgrade cruise control software

28 May, 2018

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Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is recalling an estimated 4.8 million vehicles in the U.S. market to upgrade software in their Powertrain Control Modules. “The upgrade addresses an unlikely sequence of events that would compromise cruise-control functionality,” said the company in a statement.

In response to driving conditions such as varying road grades, cruise-control systems automatically initiate acceleration, as needed, to help vehicles maintain driver-selected speeds.

In certain vehicles, if such an acceleration were to occur simultaneously with a short-circuit in a specific electrical network, a driver could be unable to cancel cruise-control. However, if this sequence of events were to occur, cruise-control acceleration can be overpowered by the vehicle’s brakes.

Those vehicles experiencing such malfunction may also be stopped by shifting it into neutral and braking accordingly. Regardless of the mitigation strategy, the vehicle may be placed in park once it has stopped, at which point cruise-control is cancelled.

FCA said it is unaware of any related injuries or accidents involving the affected vehicles, which span six model-years and account for more than 200 billion travel miles.

The remedy will be provided free of charge. FCA will begin alerting affected customers as early as this week so they may schedule service appointments.

The company advises affected customers to avoid using cruise control until their vehicles are equipped with the upgraded software. The recall, which is limited to vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and gasoline-powered engines, involves the following nameplates and year models: 2015-17 Chrysler 200, 2014-18 Chrysler 300, 2017-18 Chrysler Pacifica, 2015-18 Dodge Challenger, 2014-18 Dodge Charger, 2014-18 Dodge Journey, 2014-18 Dodge Durango, 2014-18 Jeep Cherokee, 2014-18 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2018 Jeep Wrangler and 2014-18 Ram pickups, including 1500, 2500, 3500 and 4500 series.

FCA said additional vehicles are being recalled in Canada, Mexico and certain markets outside the NAFTA region, but no specific figures were provided.

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