More Jeeps recalled over hacking fears

Fiat Chrysler has recalled nearly eight thousand more Jeeps in order to fix a bug that allows them to be wirelessly hacked.

Software will be updated in around 7,800 of its 2015 Jeep Renegade models which have 6.5 inch touchscreen.  It's thought that half of these models are still in dealerships.

In a statement, the company said the recall "involves radios that differ from those implicated in another, similar recall", in which two hackers managed to take control of a car which eventually ended up in a ditch.  Fiat Chrysler (FCA) says this is designed to protect connected vehicles from remote manipulation.  "If unauthorised," it adds, "such interference constitutes a criminal act."  The statement continues: "FCA US has already applied measures to prevent the type of vehicle manipulation demonstrated in a recent media report.  These measures ' which required no customer or dealer actions ' block remote access to certain vehicle systems.  The Company is unaware of any injuries related to software exploitation, nor is it aware of any related complaints, warranty claims or accidents ' independent of the media demonstration."

Affected customers will receive a USB device which they may use to upgrade vehicle software or they can visit a dealer.

The company's statement concludes: "The security of FCA US customers is a top priority, as is retaining their confidence in the Company's products.  Accordingly, FCA US has established a dedicated System Quality Engineering team focused on identifying and implementing best practices for software development and integration.  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.  No defect has been found. FCA US is conducting this campaign out of an abundance of caution."

(Picture - Wired Magazine).