Redazione RHC : 16 October 2025 07:20
A software update released last weekend for Jeep 4xe hybrid models caused a serious malfunction: the vehicles stopped working, leaving owners literally stranded. The problem occurred after a failed over-the-air update to the uConnect system on October 10th. The issue blocked the telematics module, rendering the vehicles unusable.
On the evening of October 10, reports of widespread failures began appearing on Jeep owner forums. A customer support representative, who went by the name Kori, warned users to refrain from installing the update and promised that the file had already been discontinued. However, for many drivers, it was too late: they had already updated their systems and were no longer able to drive their vehicles.
The first victims described how their vehicles suddenly shut down while driving. One owner, an infrastructure engineer for Wells Fargo, said he lost traction at low speed and was able to drive home, while others found themselves in a much more dangerous situation: their cars shut down right on the highway . He noted that the coding error had clearly not been properly tested and emphasized that such malfunctions can be lethal.
Another Jeep owner accepted the update unaware of the issue. That morning, after reading alarming posts in a 4xe owners’ group, he checked the vehicle and discovered it was no longer responding to controls, refusing to activate drive mode, and the instrument panel was flashing with various error messages. After contacting the dealership , he confirmed that the problem was widespread and affected at least 2024 Wrangler 4xe models.
Some users reported having to call a tow truck to get their vehicles repaired. One forum member noted that his dealership received several similar requests within an hour . Others expressed outrage that dealerships were charging for diagnostics, despite the manufacturer’s clear responsibility.
The day after the accident, Stellantis, Jeep’s parent company, released an over-the-air fix that restored vehicle functionality. Owners confirmed that, after installing the new file and rebooting several times, the engine restarted and the system stopped generating errors. However, the accident raised numerous questions about internal testing processes and update release procedures.
Such failures in automotive systems are becoming increasingly common with the increasing complexity of electronics and the widespread use of over-the-air mechanisms. The uConnect update failure demonstrated that even a single incorrect file can paralyze vehicles.
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