According to Fiat Chrysler, the software error “may be related” to a death and two injuries reports the BBC. A faulty code could possibly disable the side air bag and seat belt locking mechanism should the vehicle roll over during a crash, the company said.
The huge recall affects 1.02 million 2013 to 2016 Ram 1500 and 2500, as well as 2014 to 2016 Ram 3500 pickups in the US. Chrysler’s problem goes beyond the US: it’s also recalling 216,007 vehicles in Canada, 21,668 in Mexico and 21,530 outside North America altogether.
The concern stems from a vehicle rollover spurred by a “significant” under-body impact, such as striking on-road debris or driving off-road, the company said. Fiat Chrysler will reprogram the computer modules in the affected trucks to remedy the problem.
The recalls are expected to begin in June. The company says owners of the affected models are being told they can avoid the problem by turning the vehicle off and then on again if a warning light is activated due to the error.
Fiat Chrysler also declined to say whether the software code was produced in-house or by a supplier of FCA, saying, “we do not discuss supplier relationships,” according to Reuters.
This is not the first time that Fiat Chrysler has had computer software problems. In 2015, The company had to recall 1.4 million vehicles after it was discovered that people could hack into some of its models’ systems, killing the engine and even disabling the brakes.