Stellantis Camera Recall
Stellantis Recalls Nearly 1 Million Vehicles Worldwide Due to Rear-View Camera Software Issue
Key Points
Jeep and Ram models covered in the US recall extend beyond Pacifica/Voyager to include Jeep Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer and Wrangler, plus Ram 1500, 2500 and ProMaster.
The fix will be delivered as an over-the-air (OTA) software update, with owners prompted on the vehicle's media screen to start the update when it becomes available.
Regulatory context notes the 2018 NHTSA rear-view camera mandate due to backover crash risks, with U.S. data showing about 210 deaths and 15,000 injuries annually, and fatalities involving children five and under roughly 30%.
Stellantis is recalling 955,000 vehicles worldwide after a radio software bug was found to disable rear-view cameras. In the United States alone, 848,000 vehicles are affected, spanning 2026 and 2027 model years across Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, and Ram lineups, according to Quartz.
The company says no accidents have been linked to the defect. A fix will be pushed out as an over-the-air software update — meaning most owners will not need to visit a dealership. Until then, drivers are told to rely on mirrors when reversing if their camera stops working.
Which Vehicles Are Covered in the Recall
The U.S. recall covers a wide range of popular models. Chrysler Pacifica, Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, and Voyager are included. So are the Dodge Charger, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram ProMaster. On the Jeep side, the recall covers the Cherokee, Compass, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee, Grand Wagoneer, and Wrangler, according to Yahoo Autos.
Outside the U.S., about 107,000 additional vehicles are recalled in Canada, Mexico, and other markets, bringing the global total to 955,000. All affected vehicles are 2026 or 2027 model years — relatively new cars and trucks that shipped with the faulty radio software already installed, Quartz reported.
A Software Glitch, Fixed Without a Dealership Visit
The root cause is a defect in the vehicle's radio software. Under certain conditions, the software fails to launch the rear-view camera feed when the driver shifts into reverse. This is not a hardware problem — the cameras themselves work fine. The software just fails to display the image when it should.
Stellantis says the fix will arrive as an over-the-air update — the same way a smartphone gets a software patch. When the update is ready, a prompt will appear on the vehicle's media screen. Owners simply approve it and the update installs. No shop visit needed, according to Yahoo Autos.
Why Rear-View Cameras Are Legally Required in the U.S.
Rear-view cameras are not a luxury feature — they are the law. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) made them mandatory in all new cars starting in 2018. The rule came after data showed backover crashes kill about 210 people and injure 15,000 others in the U.S. every year. Children five and under account for roughly 30% of those deaths, according to Investors.com.
Because the cameras are safety-critical, any defect that disables them triggers federal recall rules. Automakers are required to notify owners and provide a free fix. The tight legal framework explains why Stellantis moved quickly despite reporting zero accidents linked to this particular glitch.
Recall Adds Pressure as Stellantis Stock Hits New Low
The recall news landed at a rough moment for Stellantis. Its stock fell to an all-time low on the NYSE following the announcement, according to Yahoo Finance. The company has faced a difficult stretch, dealing with weak sales, leadership changes, and mounting quality concerns across its brands.
The camera recall is the latest in a string of software-related issues hitting automakers industry-wide. As vehicles pack in more digital features, software bugs have become a growing source of safety recalls. For Stellantis, fixing the glitch wirelessly is a cost-saving move — but the reputational damage from a near-million-vehicle recall is harder to patch, noted TS2 Space.
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