Bad software has led to the recall of seven Jeep Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs. The vehicles were made with a radio with suspect software that could prevent the backup camera from displaying when an owner shifts into reverse.
According to documents from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), the recall affects some vehicles built between October 23, 2021, and October 26, 2021. In that period, the vehicles were built with incorrect radio software, vehicle production records show.
Without correctly operating cameras, these vehicles do not comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) that require all new vehicles built after May 1, 2018 to have a backup camera.
FMVSS 571.111 S6.2.6, requires that “the rear visibility system default to the rearview system default to the rearview image being visible […] at the beginning of each backing event, regardless of any modification to the field of view that the driver had previously selected.”
Owners of the affected vehicles will notice that that doesn’t happen when they enter reverse. If they don’t notice that their camera feed is missing before they start their reversing maneuver, it could increase the risk of injury to people outside the vehicle.
Read Also: Backup Cameras Now Mandatory On All New U.S.-Spec Vehicles
Fortunately for Jeep, the fix appears to be a relatively simple one, involving a software update performed by a dealer. The automaker says it will embark on a voluntary recall to fix all affected vehicles by reprogramming the radios. The automaker will perform the fix free of charge and will reimburse owners who have incurred the cost of repairing the problem. Stellantis will notify its dealers, who will, in turn, begin notifying owners on or about February 9, 2022.
Α similar issue caused the brand to recall 56,180 Grand Cherokee L models last September, as radio software could malfunction during shutdown and prevent an image from the reversing camera from displaying.
