Jeep Software Update Causes Major Powertrain Glitches in Wrangler 4xe SUVs


Key Points
- Jeep pushed out an over-the-air software update on Friday, Oct. 10, that apparently caused major powertrain problems for some Wrangler 4xe owners.
- On internet forums and social media sites over the weekend, Wrangler 4xe owners reported dashboard error messages, sudden power losses while driving, stranded vehicles and tows to the dealership for service.
- Once Jeep became aware of the problems, engineers canceled the update and issued an automatic OTA update designed to restore the software to its previous version; the company is continuing to work on the problem.
A recent over-the-air software update to the Uconnect infotainment system in Jeep 4xe plug-in hybrid models has apparently caused serious powertrain malfunctions for some Wrangler 4xe owners over the weekend. The update was pushed out Friday, Oct. 10. Owners who installed the update experienced issues shortly thereafter and began posting on internet forums and social media sites, reporting dashboard error messages and sudden power losses while driving — a nerve-wracking, hazardous situation, especially if it occurs at highway speeds in traffic. Confused and upset owners also reported “bricked” vehicles that left them stranded and tows to the dealership for service.
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The Friday deployment of the software update likely exacerbated the problem since the issues became apparent over the weekend, outside of normal working hours. According to some social media posts by owners, at least a few Jeep dealers were unaware of the software update being the source of the problems, adding to the all-around confusion. According to an internal dealer communication that was posted to social media Monday morning, the update was canceled once Jeep engineers became aware of the problem. On Saturday evening, the company issued an interim OTA fix that restores the software to its previous version.
Unlike the problematic Friday update, for which users had to click a pop-up message to install, the OTA fix is automatic and does not have a pop-up message. The vehicle needs to be turned on in an area with good cellular coverage, and owners are advised to leave the vehicle on for at least 10 minutes and then turn the vehicle off and back on, as well as check to see that there is no code or fault in the instrument cluster.
Jeep is continuing to work on the problem; we have contacted Jeep representatives for a comment and/or an official statement and will update this article when we receive a reply.
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Senior Research Editor Damon Bell has more than 25 years of experience in the automotive industry, beginning as an Engineering Graphics researcher/proofreader at model-car manufacturer Revell-Monogram. From there, he moved on to various roles at Collectible Automobile magazine and Consumer Guide Automotive before joining Cars.com in August 2022. He served as president of the Midwest Automotive Media Association in 2019 and 2020.
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