Incident: Recall of Chrysler Ram Trucks and Jeep Grand Cherokees Due to Software Issues

Published Date: 2013-11-09

Postmortem Analysis
Timeline 1. The software failure incident involving a software problem with the anti-lock braking module in Chrysler vehicles happened in October 2013 as per the article [22827]. Therefore, the software failure incident happened in October 2013.
System 1. Anti-lock braking module software in the Jeep Grand Cherokees [22827] 2. Valve springs in the 2.7-liter engine of Toyota Tacomas [22827]
Responsible Organization 1. Chrysler - The software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees was reported by Chrysler in their statement to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [22827]. 2. Toyota - The issue with the valve springs in the Tacoma pickups, which could cause rough engine performance and sudden engine failure, was reported by Toyota to the agency [22827].
Impacted Organization 1. Chrysler - The software failure incident impacted Chrysler vehicles, specifically the Ram trucks and Jeep Grand Cherokees, due to electronic problems that could disable safety systems [22827]. 2. Toyota - The incident also impacted Toyota Tacoma pickups from the 2013-14 model years due to a software problem with the anti-lock braking module that could disable certain systems [22827].
Software Causes 1. A software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems [22827]. 2. The valve springs of the 2.7-liter engine in the Toyota Tacomas might have corrosive pitting due to improper maintenance of manufacturing equipment by a Japanese supplier, leading to rough engine performance and potential engine failure [22827].
Non-software Causes 1. Improper maintenance of manufacturing equipment by a Japanese supplier leading to corrosive pitting on valve springs in Toyota Tacomas [22827]. 2. Steering systems' tie rods not aligned properly in Chrysler Ram trucks [22827].
Impacts 1. The software failure incident in Chrysler's 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokees caused electronic problems that could disable two safety systems, the anti-lock braking, and electronic stability-control systems, potentially leading to accidents and injuries [22827]. 2. The issue with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees could also cause the illumination of multiple warning lights and a loss of lighting for the instrument cluster, impacting the vehicle's safety and functionality [22827].
Preventions 1. Implementing thorough software testing procedures to detect and address any software bugs or faults before the vehicles are released to the market [22827]. 2. Conducting regular software maintenance and updates to ensure the proper functioning of critical systems like the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems [22827]. 3. Enhancing supplier oversight and quality control processes to prevent issues like corrosive pitting on valve springs due to improper maintenance of manufacturing equipment by suppliers [22827].
Fixes 1. Proper alignment of the steering systems' tie rods in the Ram trucks [Article 22827]. 2. Correcting the software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees to prevent disabling of safety systems [Article 22827].
References 1. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [22827] 2. Chrysler [22827]

Software Taxonomy of Faults

Category Option Rationale
Recurring one_organization, multiple_organization (a) In the provided articles, it is mentioned that Chrysler had a previous steering problem with its Ram pickups in 2011, where almost 243,000 vehicles were recalled due to a "loss of directional stability" [Article 22827]. This indicates that a similar incident related to steering problems had happened before within the same organization. (b) The articles also mention that Toyota was recalling Tacoma pickups due to a software problem with the anti-lock braking module that could disable safety systems [Article 22827]. This indicates that a similar incident involving a software problem affecting safety systems has happened at another organization as well.
Phase (Design/Operation) design (a) The software failure incident related to the design phase is mentioned in the article. Chrysler reported a software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees, which could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems. This issue was identified in a report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [22827]. (b) The software failure incident related to the operation phase is not explicitly mentioned in the provided articles.
Boundary (Internal/External) within_system (a) within_system: The software failure incident related to the Chrysler Ram trucks and Jeep Grand Cherokees was within the system. Chrysler reported a software problem with the anti-lock braking module that could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems in the Jeep Grand Cherokees [22827].
Nature (Human/Non-human) non-human_actions (a) The software failure incident occurring due to non-human actions: - Chrysler reported a software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees, which could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems [22827]. - Toyota mentioned a software problem with the valve springs of the 2.7-liter engine in the Tacoma pickups, which might have been caused by improper maintenance of manufacturing equipment by a Japanese supplier [22827]. (b) The software failure incident occurring due to human actions: - The article does not provide specific information about software failures caused by human actions.
Dimension (Hardware/Software) hardware, software (a) The software failure incident related to hardware can be seen in the article where Chrysler reported a software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees, which could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems [22827]. (b) The software failure incident related to software can be observed in the same article where Chrysler mentioned a software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees, causing the disabling of certain safety systems and warning lights to illuminate [22827].
Objective (Malicious/Non-malicious) non-malicious (a) The articles do not mention any software failure incident related to malicious intent to harm the system. (b) The software failure incident mentioned in the articles is non-malicious. It involves a software problem with the anti-lock braking module in Chrysler vehicles that could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems, leading to the illumination of multiple warning lights and a loss of lighting for the instrument cluster [22827].
Intent (Poor/Accidental Decisions) unknown The articles do not provide information about a software failure incident related to poor_decisions or accidental_decisions.
Capability (Incompetence/Accidental) development_incompetence, accidental (a) The software failure incident related to development incompetence is mentioned in the article. Chrysler reported a software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees, which could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems [22827]. This indicates a failure due to contributing factors introduced due to lack of professional competence by humans or the development organization. (b) The software failure incident related to an accidental factor is also mentioned in the article. Toyota stated that the valve springs of the 2.7-liter engine in the Tacoma pickups might have corrosive pitting due to improper maintenance of manufacturing equipment by a Japanese supplier. This pitting could cause the valve spring to break, leading to rough engine performance or sudden engine failure [22827].
Duration temporary (a) The software failure incident related to the Chrysler Ram trucks and Jeep Grand Cherokees was temporary. Chrysler reported a software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees that could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems. This issue could also cause the illumination of multiple warning lights and a loss of lighting for the instrument cluster. The automaker initiated an investigation after receiving complaints from owners and was unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the problem [22827].
Behaviour crash, value, other (a) crash: The software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees could disable the anti-lock braking and electronic stability-control systems, leading to a crash scenario [22827]. (b) omission: There is no specific mention of a software failure incident related to omission in the provided article. (c) timing: There is no specific mention of a software failure incident related to timing in the provided article. (d) value: The software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees could cause the system to perform its intended functions incorrectly, leading to a value-related failure [22827]. (e) byzantine: There is no specific mention of a software failure incident related to a byzantine behavior in the provided article. (f) other: The software problem with the anti-lock braking module in the Jeep Grand Cherokees could also cause the "illumination of multiple warning lights" and a loss of lighting for the instrument cluster, which could be categorized as an "other" behavior [22827].

IoT System Layer

Layer Option Rationale
Perception None None
Communication None None
Application None None

Other Details

Category Option Rationale
Consequence harm, property, non-human, theoretical_consequence (a) death: There were no reports of deaths due to the software failure incident mentioned in the articles [22827]. (b) harm: The software failure incident resulted in two injuries related to accidents involving the Chrysler Rams [22827]. (c) basic: There is no information indicating that people's access to food or shelter was impacted by the software failure incident [22827]. (d) property: The software failure incident impacted people's material goods, specifically their vehicles, as Chrysler had to recall a significant number of trucks due to various issues, including a software problem with the anti-lock braking module [22827]. (e) delay: There is no mention of people having to postpone activities due to the software failure incident [22827]. (f) non-human: Non-human entities, specifically vehicles, were impacted by the software failure incident, leading to recalls and potential safety issues [22827]. (g) no_consequence: There were observed consequences of the software failure incident, such as injuries and vehicle issues, indicating that there were consequences [22827]. (h) theoretical_consequence: Theoretical consequences discussed in the articles include potential accidents and injuries related to the software problems in the Chrysler Rams and Toyota Tacomas, as well as the possibility of rough engine performance and sudden engine failure in the Tacomas [22827]. (i) other: There were no other specific consequences mentioned in the articles beyond those related to injuries, vehicle issues, and potential safety concerns [22827].
Domain transportation (a) The failed system was related to the transportation industry as Chrysler announced recalls for 1.2 million Ram trucks and 94,000 Jeep Grand Cherokees due to various problems, including electronic issues that could disable safety systems [22827]. Additionally, Toyota recalled about 3,800 Tacoma pickups due to engine problems [22827].

Sources

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