Software Update Bricks Some Jeep 4xe Hybrids Over the Weekend (arstechnica.com)
- Reference: 0179773088
- News link: https://tech.slashdot.org/story/25/10/13/2115229/software-update-bricks-some-jeep-4xe-hybrids-over-the-weekend
- Source link: https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/10/software-update-bricks-some-jeep-4xe-hybrids-over-the-weekend/
> Owners of some Jeep Wrangler 4xe hybrids have been left stranded after installing an over-the-air software update this weekend. The automaker pushed out a telematics update for the Uconnect infotainment system that evidently wasn't ready, [1]resulting in cars losing power while driving and then becoming stranded . Stranded Jeep owners have been detailing their experiences in forum and Reddit posts, as well as on YouTube. The buggy update doesn't appear to brick the car immediately. Instead, the failure appears to occur while driving -- a far more serious problem. For some, this happened close to home and at low speed, but [2]others claim to have experienced a powertrain failure at highway speeds.
>
> Jeep pulled the update after reports of problems, but the software had already downloaded to many owners' cars by then. A member of Stellantis' social engagement team told 4xe owners [3]at a Jeep forum to ignore the update pop-up if they haven't installed it yet. Owners were also advised to avoid using either hybrid or electric modes if they had updated their 4xe and not already suffered a powertrain failure. Yesterday, Jeep [4]pushed out a fix.
[1] https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/10/software-update-bricks-some-jeep-4xe-hybrids-over-the-weekend/
[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/Jeep/comments/1o47064/jeep_4xe_shut_off_mid_highway/
[3] https://www.4xeforums.com/threads/wrangler-4xe-ota-update-10-10-2025.8078/?nested_view=1&post_id=103140&ref=thestack.technology#post-103140
[4] https://www.4xeforums.com/posts/103207/
Woopsie. Sorry about that Chief. (Score:4, Insightful)
Seriously? Avoid using your car?
Your car stopped working because some tech pushed out an untested software update?
Your car is fully dependent on software?
I swear I'm going to get junker exactly like the car I'm driving to take parts off of. Should keep me going til the big dirt nap.
Who the fuck wants this?
OH, WAIT. I forgot, it's probably compatible with iPhone.
that might explain it.
Re: (Score:1)
Well, chief, it's not actually your car. You signed a license to use it, but it does not belong to you.
And that's why "updates" are nothing to fancy (Score:3)
I for one would not ever want an "automated" update. I want the beta-testing to be done before the thing is sold to me. And if there should ever be good reason to install an "update", it must never be somebody else's decision whether and when to update my thing.
Move fast and break everything. (Score:2)
Testing? What testing?
This shit is going to continue until these companies are getting sued into oblivion for killing people due to buggy updates. This one probably came the closest. I wouldn't think a powertrain failure at highway speeds would be a fun thing to deal with, and if it were bumper to bumper traffic, it could have led to some real shenanigans. I wonder if there were any fender benders?
The real question... (Score:4, Insightful)
The real question is why does an infotainment system update brick the entire car? More and more manufacturers are tying a whole bunch of shit into the radio, that should never have been part of the radio. This shouldn't even be possible.
Re: (Score:2)
> taking the doors and top off
Doors? Top? What part of [1]Just Enough Essential Parts [dreamstime.com] did they miss?
[1] https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/z/wwii-jeep-857707.jpg
If an car auto updates with you losing control cra (Score:3)
If an car auto updates with you losing control crashing into and killing people who at Stellantis will be doing hard time.
also how far will Stellantis go to keep their shity code out of the court room.
Re: (Score:2)
> If an car auto updates with you losing control crashing into and killing people who at Stellantis will be doing hard time. also how far will Stellantis go to keep their shity code out of the court room.
If it happens in America? The driver will be doing the time, and the company will get to have a public congressional hearing where there will be lots of grumbling and yelling, and then those executives will have a nice catered meal with the same senators that were just publicly haranguing them for running such a shitty company while they write checks to their campaign funds.
Other countries may have better results.
I have seen pinball games with bad updates at leas (Score:2)
I have seen pinball games with bad updates at least some have restore images. Also they don't auto update mid game.
How are they updating the bricked models? (Score:1)
Are they being picked up by towtruck and brought to the dealership for free so they can be re-flashed and activated again?
Re: (Score:2)
A classier company would come out to the customer's car.
Re: (Score:2)
> A classier company would come out to the customer's car.
Do those even exist anymore?
Re: (Score:2)
it seems "bricked" was an overstatement. It makes the car stop and then refuse to drive very far... but it's not bricked in the traditional sense.
And the fix is already going out OTA as of yesterday and it works for some but not for others, so far
[1]https://www.4xeforums.com/thre... [4xeforums.com]
[1] https://www.4xeforums.com/threads/wrangler-4xe-ota-update-10-10-2025.8078/page-2