https://arstechnica.com/cars/2025/10/software-update-bricks-some-jeep-4xe-hybrids-over-the-weekend/

Skip to content
Ars Technica home
Sections
Forum
Subscribe
Search

  * AI
  * Biz & IT
  * Cars
  * Culture
  * Gaming
  * Health
  * Policy
  * Science
  * Security
  * Space
  * Tech

  * Feature
  * Reviews

  * AI
  * Biz & IT
  * Cars
  * Culture
  * Gaming
  * Health
  * Policy
  * Science
  * Security
  * Space
  * Tech

Forum
Subscribe
Story text
Size [Standard] Width * [Standard] Links [Standard]
* Subscribers only
  Learn more
Pin to story
Theme

  * HyperLight
  * Day & Night
  * Dark
  * System

Search dialog...
Sign In
Sign in dialog...
Sign in
don't OTA on Friday

Software update bricks some Jeep 4xe hybrids over the weekend

Jeep has pulled the update; owners are advised to ignore it if it
already downloaded.

Jonathan M. Gitlin - Oct 13, 2025 10:10 am | 109
New 2024 Jeep(r) Wrangler High Altitude 4xe with all-new instrument
panel featuring Uconnect 5 system with best-in-class 12.3-inch
touchscreen radio New 2024 Jeep(r) Wrangler High Altitude 4xe with
all-new instrument panel featuring Uconnect 5 system with
best-in-class 12.3-inch touchscreen radio
Credit: Jeep
Credit: Jeep
Text settings
Story text
Size [Standard] Width * [Standard] Links [Standard]
* Subscribers only
  Learn more
Minimize to nav

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, 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 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 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 pushed out a fix.

As Crowdstrike showed last year, Friday afternoons are a bad time to
push out a software update. Now Stellantis has learned that lesson,
too. Ars has reached out to Stellantis, and we'll update this post if
we get a reply.

Photo of Jonathan M. Gitlin
Jonathan M. Gitlin Automotive Editor
Jonathan M. Gitlin Automotive Editor
Jonathan is the Automotive Editor at Ars Technica. He has a BSc and
PhD in Pharmacology. In 2014 he decided to indulge his lifelong
passion for the car by leaving the National Human Genome Research
Institute and launching Ars Technica's automotive coverage. He lives
in Washington, DC.
109 Comments
Comments
Forum view
Loading Loading comments...
Prev story
Next story
Most Read

 1. Listing image for first story in Most Read: Why Signal's
    post-quantum makeover is an amazing engineering achievement
    1. Why Signal's post-quantum makeover is an amazing engineering
    achievement
 2.
    2. Software update bricks some Jeep 4xe hybrids over the weekend
 3.
    3. People regret buying Amazon smart displays after being
    bombarded with ads
 4.
    4. How close are we to solid state batteries for electric
    vehicles?
 5.
    5. New Starfleet Academy trailer debuts at NYCC

Customize

Ars Technica has been separating the signal from the noise for over
25 years. With our unique combination of technical savvy and
wide-ranging interest in the technological arts and sciences, Ars is
the trusted source in a sea of information. After all, you don't need
to know everything, only what's important.

     

More from Ars

  * About Us
  * Staff Directory
  * Ars Newsletters
  * General FAQ
  * Posting Guidelines
  * RSS Feeds

Contact

  * Contact us
  * Advertise with us
  * Reprints

Manage Preferences
(c) 2025 Conde Nast. All rights reserved. Use of and/or registration on
any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement
and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Ars Technica Addendum and
Your California Privacy Rights. Ars Technica may earn compensation on
sales from links on this site. Read our affiliate link policy. The
material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed,
transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written
permission of Conde Nast. Ad Choices