2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited on 2040-cars

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Jeep Renegade recalled to prevent hacking

Jeep is issuing a voluntary recall of some 7,800 Renegades over fears that their radios may be vulnerable to hacking. The company is quick to stress that this campaign is independent of the hacking scare earlier this year. Only Renegades fitted with the 6.5-inch touchscreen display are affected by the recall. Owners of the affected vehicles will be mailed a USB jump drive that they can plug into their vehicle for a free software update. Alternatively, owners can head over to the UConnect website, enter their VIN, and download the software to their own jump drive. (See how in our video below.) Dealers will also perform the upgrade free of charge. The software update provides "additional security features," that should prevent remote tampering. If this sounds worrying, it's actually not that huge of a problem. First, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles estimates that over half the affected vehicles are still sitting on dealer lots. More importantly, according to FCA, the vulnerability on the Renegade "required unique and extensive technical knowledge, prolonged physical access to a subject vehicle and extended periods of time to write code," making it considerably different than the Cherokee problem. No injuries or hacks have been reported by any Renegade owner. Related Video: Statement: Software Update September 4, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is conducting a voluntary safety recall to update software in approximately 7,810 U.S.-market SUVs equipped with certain radios. More than half remain in dealer hands and will be serviced before they are sold. The campaign – which involves radios that differ from those implicated in another, similar recall – is designed to protect connected vehicles from remote manipulation. If unauthorized, such interference constitutes a criminal act. 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 are certain 2015 Jeep Renegade SUVs equipped with 6.5-inch touchscreens. Customers will receive a USB device which they may use to upgrade vehicle software. This provides additional security features.

Autoblog Podcast #372

Episode #372 of the Autoblog podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth and Chris Paukert are joined by Peter Leung of RichlandF1 to talk Formula One, the impending demise of Bertone, and Honda spinning Acura off into its own division. We start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Check out the new rundown below with times for topics, and you can follow along down below with our Q&A. Thanks for listening! Autoblog Podcast #372: The video meant to be presented here is no longer available. Sorry for the inconvenience. Topics: Bertone goes bust Mercedes F1 Power Unit Honda spinning off Acura In the Autoblog Garage: 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited 2015 Subaru WRX STI 2014 Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Paukert Guest: Peter Leung Runtime: 01:37:41 Rundown: Intro and Garage - 00:00 Formula 1 - 26:39 Bertone - 50:42 Acura - 01:02:19 Q&A - 01:14:38 Get the podcast: [UStream] Listen live on Mondays at 10 PM Eastern at UStream [iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes [RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator [MP3] Download the MP3 directly Feedback: Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com Review the show in iTunes Design/Style Marketing/Advertising Motorsports Podcasts Acura Honda Jeep Land Rover Subaru

Jeep recalling 75,000 Cherokees over air-conditioning lines

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has issued a recall for an estimated 75,364 examples of the Jeep Cherokee in the United States. The problem stems from an air-conditioning line, which may have been installed to close to the exhaust manifold. "Under certain operating conditions," says FCA in the statement below, "this may pose a fire risk." Thus far, however, the company says it is "unaware of any related injuries or accidents." The owners of those 75k Jeeps (as well as another 18,000+ in other markets) can expect to hear from their local dealers to have the problem rectified. However the manufacturer also advises owners to watch out for indicators like air-conditioning loss or a dashboard warning light and contact their dealers if necessary. Related Video: Statement: Air-conditioning System October 27, 2015 , Auburn Hills, Mich. - FCA US LLC is voluntarily recalling an estimated 75,364 U.S.-market SUVs to inspect and replace, as required, their air-conditioning lines, as required. FCA US launched an investigation after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration received two customer complaints involving smoke and fire. The Company discovered air-conditioning lines on some vehicles may have been installed in close proximity to their engines' exhaust manifolds; under certain operating conditions, this may pose a fire risk. FCA US is unaware of any related injuries or accidents. The recall is limited to certain 2015 Jeep Cherokees. Additional vehicles are affected in other markets. They include an estimated 7,571 in Canada; 4,018 in Mexico; and 6,942 outside the outside the NAFTA region. Affected customers will be advised when they may schedule service, which FCA US will provide free of charge. . Customers who observe air-conditioning loss or any other concern, such as a dashboard warning light, should contact their dealers. Customers with additional questions may call the FCA US Customer Information Center at 1-800-853-1403.