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geordi · **Posted:** Sun Aug 02, 2015 12:53 pm

That may be true, and certainly is in regard to the airbag recalls... BUT the manufacturers have been historically hesitant to issue a recall instead of a TSB when the TSB is cheaper for them - that makes most things a voluntary process that is only performed in cases of the specific complaint or the vehicle is presented for other services and they decide to perform the TSB as well.

This computer glitch issue would most likely have been a "silent recall" or an important TSB to be automatically performed on every vehicle that wandered into the service bays... BUT I strongly suspect that Mopar would have been quite happy for this report to have never been made public. Now they have the cost of mailing the alerts, tracking down the owners, publicity of the recall and potential damage to their brand (if that was possible), etc etc etc.

Toyota had much the same situation with the runaway Priuses (and other vehicles) because of a software problem in the drive-by-wire system. They tried blaming it on the floormats b/c that seemed plausible, until people who had removed the mats had the same problem. I don't remember if they made it a full mandatory recall, but I do believe they were fixing any car that was brought in, and since this was so well publicized at the time, people were happy to call in about the car in their driveway. I'd like to know that my car will stop when I want to also!

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Sun Aug 02, 2015 3:09 pm

You are absolutely correct in all that you said; huge difference between a vehicle TSB (technical service bulletin) and a NTSB required recall or campaign! TSB's are a very useful tool for a service technician when trying to find and / or fix a certain problem or behavior a customer has experienced or voiced concern about in their vehicle. They are a huge asset when trying to identify any unknown issues.

A NTSB (National Traffic Safety Board) recall on the other hand is required to be performed if the vehicle comes into the shop for service. We routinely run a check for any outstanding recall's on a vehicle and perform them if time allows or schedule a future appointment for the customer to have it performed.

How an issue goes from a TSB to a NTSB Recall I am not sure; I would think the NTSB is in the drivers seat so to speak on any issue that could jeopardize the public's safety?
I do agree that car manufactures on the whole will always try and go the least costly route unless they are forced to do otherwise.... :roll:

KC-CRD · **Joined:** Wed Jan 28, 2015 2:20 pm **Posts:** 47

It will be interesting to see how the public will respond to software recalls. My Fusion has had 1 software recall, 1 mechanical recall, and has one pending software update (sync) that I am expected to install since March. My first recall was simply annoying (oil change reminder wouldn't reset), but some Fusions assembled at a different plant have a software recall for the engine not shutting off when you turn off the key. With coding this sloppy taking your car into the dealer for updates could become a regular occurrence. Either that, or we'll see more internet connected cars with the ability to push updates to your car on-demand.

Chrysler's recall is much more concerning for two reasons. 1. there was apparently no thought given to protecting the always on IP client (car) from the network. 2. they are playing pass-the-blame saying that Sprint should have blocked all inbound access to their clients. These days no client should connect to the Internet without some kind of integrated firewall.

For me, this has been the final step in killing any chance that I'll be buying a Ram 1500 Ecodiesel next year. I don't want an active telematics system broadcasting information. The only thing worse than government surveillance is surveillance by a private business. You can configure a vehicle without the UConnect entertainment system, but like OnStar, I suspect the only thing that disables is the end user benefits. I have issues with DCJ's transparency on the UConnect telematics too. I specifically asked several dealers if UConnect had embedded cellular, and was told that it did not. And none of the information I could find online last spring mentioned it.

Squeeto · **Posted:** Mon Aug 03, 2015 11:58 am

The article does point to a free software update that can be applied via usb stick.
You should be able to keep pace with hackers if updates are readily available.

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