Stellantis is recalling approximately 955,000 vehicles worldwide after discovering that radio software can prevent the rearview camera image from appearing when drivers shift into reverse. About 848,000 vehicles are affected in the United States, making this one of the larger recent software-related safety recalls involving the automaker.
The campaign covers a wide range of 2026 and 2027 model-year vehicles from Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram.
According to Reuters, the U.S. recall includes the Chrysler Pacifica, Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, and Voyager; Dodge Charger; Jeep Cherokee; Compass; Gladiator; Grand Cherokee; Grand Wagoneer; and Wrangler, along with the Ram 1500, Ram 2500, and Ram ProMaster.
Another approximately 107,000 vehicles are affected in Canada, Mexico, and other international markets.
The problem is tied to the vehicle’s radio software rather than a conventional failure of the camera itself. Stellantis plans to correct the issue through an over-the-air software update, meaning most owners should not have to visit a dealership for the repair once the update becomes available.
Although Stellantis says it is unaware of accidents or injuries associated with the defect, the problem has significant safety implications because federal regulations require vehicles equipped with rearview cameras to provide drivers with a usable rear visibility system when backing up.
What Is Causing the Rearview Camera Failure?
The affected vehicles use software within the vehicle’s radio and infotainment system to manage the rearview-camera display. Under certain circumstances, that software can prevent the camera image from appearing when the driver shifts into reverse.
That means the camera itself may not necessarily be physically defective. Instead, the electronic system responsible for displaying its image can fail to provide the expected video feed.
According to Reuters, Stellantis identified the software problem as a safety defect and is recalling the vehicles to address it. The company has not reported any crashes or injuries connected to the issue.
For drivers, however, the absence of the camera image can create a potentially dangerous situation.
Rearview cameras are particularly valuable when reversing in parking lots, driveways, and other areas where pedestrians, children, bicycles, or low objects can be difficult to see through the vehicle’s windows alone. A camera can provide a wider and lower-angle view behind the vehicle, complementing the driver’s direct vision and mirrors.
Federal safety requirements recognize the importance of that technology. NHTSA’s rear-visibility requirements were established to reduce backover crashes, and the agency has previously estimated that approximately 210 people were killed and 15,000 injured annually in backover incidents before rearview-camera requirements became widespread.
Children have represented a significant proportion of those fatalities. That is why a missing camera image is treated as more than an inconvenience.
The recall affects vehicles from several different brands because they share related electronic and software systems within Stellantis’ broader vehicle architecture.
The large number of models involved also illustrates how a single software problem can affect hundreds of thousands of vehicles when manufacturers use common electronic components and software across multiple product lines.
This is increasingly common in the modern automotive industry. Vehicles now rely on centralized computers, digital displays, and software-controlled systems for functions that were once handled by separate mechanical or electronic components. A software defect can therefore affect multiple vehicle models simultaneously.
Which Vehicles Are Included?
The U.S. portion of the recall covers approximately 848,000 vehicles from the 2026 and 2027 model years. According to Reuters, the affected vehicles include:
- Chrysler Pacifica
- Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid
- Chrysler Voyager
- Dodge Charger
- Jeep Cherokee
- Jeep Compass
- Jeep Gladiator
- Jeep Grand Cherokee
- Jeep Grand Wagoneer
- Jeep Wrangler
- Ram 1500
- Ram 2500
- Ram ProMaster
The broad range of vehicles means the recall is relevant to owners of minivans, sedans, SUVs, off-road vehicles, and pickup trucks rather than being limited to a single product line.
Owners should not assume that every vehicle of one of these model names is affected. Recall eligibility depends on the specific vehicle and its installed software, so checking the vehicle identification number is the safest way to determine whether an individual vehicle is included.
NHTSA provides a VIN-based recall lookup system that allows owners to determine whether their vehicle has an unrepaired safety recall. The agency also recommends using its SaferCar app, which can send alerts when a recall applies to a vehicle registered in the app.
This is especially important with software recalls because owners may not notice any symptoms until the camera fails to display during an actual reversing maneuver.
A vehicle can otherwise appear to operate normally. The infotainment system may function, the vehicle can drive normally, and the camera may work on some occasions. The defect is specifically associated with circumstances in which the rearview image does not appear as required.
Stellantis says owners who encounter the problem should use their rearview and side mirrors when reversing rather than relying on a missing camera image. Reuters reported that the company is not aware of accidents or injuries related to the defect at this time.
Stellantis Plans an Over-the-Air Fix
The repair process should be relatively straightforward because Stellantis plans to correct the problem with an over-the-air software update.
According to Reuters, owners will receive a notification through the vehicle’s media screen when the updated software becomes available. The update can then be installed electronically, eliminating the need for the typical dealership visit associated with many traditional recalls.
That approach reflects the growing importance of over-the-air technology in modern vehicles.
Automakers increasingly use OTA updates to modify software, improve features, and correct electronic problems without replacing physical components. In some cases, manufacturers can address a defect affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles without requiring every owner to schedule an appointment.
However, OTA recall repairs also demonstrate why vehicle software has become an important part of automotive safety regulation.
A software update can change the behavior of systems that directly affect vehicle operation, visibility, and driver assistance. Regulators and automakers therefore have to ensure that the update actually corrects the defect and does not introduce another problem.
Stellantis has previously conducted recalls involving rearview-camera problems, including campaigns where software updates or radio replacements were used to restore proper rearview-camera operation.
NHTSA recall documents show that Stellantis has dealt with similar camera-display issues involving earlier model-year vehicles and has used software remedies in those campaigns.
The latest campaign is considerably larger, however, because it involves a broad collection of newer vehicles across multiple Stellantis brands.
For consumers, the most important point is that the recall repair will be provided free of charge. NHTSA states that safety recalls must be remedied without cost to affected vehicle owners.
Owners should check their VIN rather than relying solely on the model and model year. If an open recall appears, they should follow Stellantis’ instructions and complete the software update as soon as possible.
The recall also highlights a broader shift taking place throughout the automotive industry. Safety problems are no longer limited to faulty mechanical components such as brakes, steering parts, or suspension pieces. Software controlling radios, displays, cameras, and vehicle computers can also create safety risks when something goes wrong.
For Stellantis, the scale of this campaign shows just how widely a single software issue can spread across a modern vehicle portfolio. Nearly a million vehicles worldwide are affected, yet the remedy does not require replacing engines, transmissions, or camera hardware. A software update is expected to resolve the issue.
That makes the recall relatively simple from a repair standpoint, but the safety implications should not be underestimated.
A rearview camera is intended to provide drivers with critical visibility immediately behind the vehicle. When that image fails to appear, drivers must rely entirely on mirrors and direct observation, which can make certain reversing situations more difficult.
Stellantis says there have been no reported accidents or injuries connected to the defect so far. Still, owners of affected Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram vehicles should verify their recall status and complete the available update promptly.
The campaign ultimately demonstrates both the benefits and risks of increasingly software-driven vehicles. Over-the-air technology allows automakers to fix widespread problems faster and more conveniently than traditional recalls, but it also means software errors can affect enormous numbers of vehicles at once.
For the 955,000 Stellantis vehicles involved in this latest campaign, the solution may be digital, but the reason for taking it seriously remains very physical: ensuring drivers can see what is behind their vehicle when they reverse.
