Auto giant Stellantis recalls 1.2 million vehicles across the US and Canada with Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep and Ram models at risk

Stellantis is recalling nearly 1.2 million popular cars across the US and Canada to fix a software glitch that can disable the rearview cameras.

The recall covers Jeep Compass, Grand Cherokee, Wagoneer and Grand Wagoneer SUVs from the 2022 and 2023 model years. 

Also included are Ram ProMaster vans from 2022 and 2023, as well as the Ram 3500 chassis cabs and Ram 1500 and 2500 pickups from 2022. 

Also covered are 2021 through 2023 Chrysler Pacifica minivans and Jeep Grand Cherokee L SUVs, and 2021 and 2022 Dodge Durango SUVs.

A company investigation found that the vehicles have radio software that can inadvertently shut down the cameras. 

Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, will fix the problem with an online software update that more than 735,000 vehicles have already received. 

Owners should see a request to accept the update on their media screens. They also will get recall notices in the mail.

The company says it has no reports of injuries or crashes, but it still is urging owners to follow the recall instructions.

It is the company's 8th recall this month after more than 211,000 cars were recalled for disabled electronic stability control systems on June 6. 

The company claimed the problem was caused by a defective anti-lock braking system, which sometimes deactivates the stability control system.

The impacted models were the 2022 Dodge Durango, and the 2022 Ram 2500 and 3500.

The Ram 2500 is the model with by far the most vehicles impacted. Nearly 158,000 of the 2500 pickups were recalled, while just over 500 Ram 3500s were affected.

Around 53,000 Durangos were recalled. 

The system is an essential safety feature of the cars that, in emergency situations, can prevent the loss of steering capabilities if and when the driver loses control of the vehicle - as might be the case on flooded roads or in wintery conditions.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration warned at the start of June that driving a car with a disabled or otherwise dysfunctional stability system could boost the chances of a collision.

According to a number of studies, electronic stability control systems, when working properly, reduce fatal crashes - especially single-car wrecks and rollover crashes.

For more than a decade, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has required all newly produced passenger vehicles to include an electronic stability system.