[gandalfu]

From the press release: http://www.media.chrysler.com/newsrelease.do?id=16849&mid=1

"No defect has been found. FCA US is conducting this campaign out of an abundance of caution."

What the hell?

[maxerickson]

Defect appears to have a particular meaning in relation to vehicle safety. I'm just basing that on the way it is used here:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/recalls/recallprocess.cfm

I guess it isn't that big a stretch to use such defensive language, there are a lot of things that can be tampered with on a vehicle that arise out of engineering trade offs.

I don't mean to dismiss the problem at hand, but it is only an issue if someone makes an effort to tamper with a vehicle, which is different than a critical part failing prematurely or whatever.

[gandalfu]

Unfortunately your argument makes sense.

[freehunter]

That's probably the wording their lawyers asked them to use so they would not be liable for damages. If they admit fault, they're legally to blame for any accidents or damage.

[rhino369]

Legally a defect in a product means you are stictly liable for all damage it causes.

But also the hackers haven't demo'd the exploit in an untampered with car. I still wonder if you need physical access to do this.

[fnordfnordfnord]

If my understanding is correct, Uconnect/Bluetooth security is the weakest link, which isn't much comfort.

[beambot]

Preemptively admitting fault probably creates issues if there is future litigation.